הֲדַסָּה
Hadassah (or Esther)
Definition
הֲדַסָּה (Hadassah) is the Hebrew name of Esther, the Jewish queen of Persia who saved her people from genocide, as recorded in the book of Esther. The name means 'myrtle,' a fragrant evergreen shrub. In the biblical text, Esther 2:7 explains that her Hebrew name was Hadassah, while she was also known by her Persian name, Esther (אֶסְתֵּר). The name Hadassah is used only once in the Old Testament, specifically to identify her Jewish heritage and original name before she entered the Persian court.
Biblical Usage
This proper noun is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in Esther 2:7, to introduce the Jewish identity of the character Esther. It is used in a biographical context to state her original Hebrew name: 'And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter.' The usage establishes her lineage and Jewish roots before the narrative shifts to using her Persian name, Esther, throughout the rest of the book.
Etymology
הֲדַסָּה (Hadassah) is the feminine form of the Hebrew noun הֲדַס (hadas, H1918), meaning 'myrtle tree.' It is a straightforward feminine derivative, essentially meaning 'myrtle woman' or 'one associated with the myrtle.' The myrtle was a valued plant in the ancient Near East, known for its pleasant fragrance and evergreen leaves, often symbolizing life and prosperity.
Semantic Range
The name Hadassah highlights the hidden identity and providential protection of God's people in exile. While the book of Esther never explicitly mentions God, the revelation of Esther's Hebrew name points to her concealed Jewish identity, which becomes the instrument for divine deliverance. Understanding 'Hadassah' enriches the reading of Esther by emphasizing themes of providence, identity, and God's faithfulness to His covenant people even when they are dispersed among the nations.
In ancient Israel, names were deeply significant, often describing character, destiny, or circumstances. Giving a daughter a name derived from a beautiful, fragrant plant like the myrtle (Hadassah) likely reflected positive attributes of vitality and sweetness. The myrtle tree was also associated with the Feast of Tabernacles (Nehemiah 8:15) and visions of restoration (Isaiah 41:19, 55:13). The shift from her Hebrew name 'Hadassah' to her Persian name 'Esther' upon entering the king's court reflects the cultural assimilation and hidden identity of Jews living in the Diaspora.
אֶסְתֵּר (ʾEster, H635) — Esther; the Persian name for the same person, used throughout most of the book.
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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