Note that this bulla originates from a controlled excavation. For a discussion of the seal, see Nahman Avigad, “Bullae and Seals from a Post-Exilic Judean Archive,” Qedem 4 (1976), p. 30 and p. 31, #7. For the spelling of ph\w’ see p. 22, #7 and p. 6, n. 5. The Hebrew equivalent of the term designates an official in the Solomonic era (1 Kings 10:15; 2 Chronicles 9:14). The Assyrians used this term before the Persians assigned it to their functionaries (2 Kings 18:24; Isaiah 36:9).