אַדְמָתָא
Admatha, a Persian nobleman
Definition
Admatha is the name of a Persian nobleman who served as one of the seven princes of Persia and Media during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I). These princes were the king's closest advisors, possessing the unique privilege of seeing the king's face and holding the highest rank in the kingdom (Esther 1:14). The name appears only in the list of these seven counselors, who were consulted regarding Queen Vashti's disobedience. As a proper noun, it refers solely to this individual historical figure, with no other biblical meanings or applications.
Biblical Usage
The word אַדְמָתָא is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in the book of Esther. It appears in Esther 1:14, where King Ahasuerus consults 'the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom.' Admatha is listed as the fifth of these seven named advisors. Its usage is strictly as a personal name within a historical narrative context, with no broader semantic range.
Etymology
The name Admatha is almost certainly of Persian origin, not Hebrew. Biblical scholars generally agree it is a transliteration into Hebrew of an Old Persian name or title. The exact Persian root is uncertain, but it may be related to words meaning 'unconquered' or 'given by the earth.' Its inclusion in the Hebrew text reflects the historical setting of the Persian court and the common practice of recording foreign names and titles phonetically.
Semantic Range
Admatha's role as one of the seven princes places him at the apex of the Persian imperial administration. In the Persian court, these seven men were the most powerful officials, with direct access to the king, a privilege denied to others (Esther 4:11). This list authenticates the book's historical setting, showcasing the Persian system of governance. Understanding his title highlights the structured, hierarchical world of the Persian empire, which forms the backdrop for God's providential work in the story of Esther.
כַּרְשְׁנָא (Karshena', H3771) — Another of the seven princes listed alongside Admatha. שֵׁתָר (Shethar, H8369) — Another of the seven princes listed alongside Admatha. מֶמוּכָן (Memukan, H4462) — Another of the seven princes listed alongside Admatha, who gives the key advice in Esther 1:16-20.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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