מִתְרְדָת

Mithredath, the name of two Persians

Definition

Mithredath is a proper name of Persian origin, referring to two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first is Mithredath, the treasurer of King Cyrus of Persia, who was entrusted with counting out and returning the sacred temple vessels to Sheshbazzar for the return to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:8). The second is Mithredath, an official who, along with others, wrote a letter of accusation to King Artaxerxes against the people of Judah and Jerusalem, seeking to halt the rebuilding of the city (Ezra 4:7). Both men served in administrative roles within the Persian Empire, though their actions toward the Jewish people were oppositional.

Biblical Usage

The name Mithredath appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the book of Ezra. It is used exclusively in the context of Persian imperial administration during the post-exilic period. In Ezra 1:8, the individual is associated with the positive act of restoring temple treasures. In Ezra 4:7, the individual is part of a group opposing the reconstruction of Jerusalem, illustrating the political challenges faced by the returning exiles.

Etymology

The name Mithredath (מִתְרְדָת) is of Persian origin, not Hebrew. It is derived from the name of the Zoroastrian deity Mithra (the god of covenant and light) combined with the Persian word 'data' meaning 'given' or 'law.' Thus, the name likely means 'given by Mithra' or 'Mithra's gift.' This etymology reflects the Persian cultural and religious context of the Achaemenid Empire, which ruled over the Jewish people during the events recorded in Ezra.

Semantic Range

While the name itself is not theologically loaded, the characters who bear it play significant roles in the narrative of God's faithfulness in the restoration of His people. The first Mithredath is an instrument of God's providence, facilitating the return of holy items as prophesied by Jeremiah. The second represents the persistent human opposition to God's redemptive plans, which God ultimately overrules. Their stories highlight God's sovereignty in using even pagan officials to accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 44:28–45:1).

The name is distinctly Persian, reflecting the reality of Jewish life under the Achaemenid Empire after the Babylonian exile. Holding such a name indicated the individual was a Persian official, likely of high status. In the ancient Near East, names were often theophoric (containing a god's name), and 'Mithredath' points to the worship of Mithra, a major deity in the Persian pantheon. This contrasts with Hebrew theophoric names, which incorporate 'Yah' or 'El' for the God of Israel. The presence of such officials in the biblical record underscores the historical accuracy of the Persian setting in Ezra.

Tattenai (H8674) — A Persian governor who also opposed the rebuilding, but later sought official clarification (Ezra 5:3). Rehum (H7348) — A Persian official and co-signatory with the second Mithredath in the accusatory letter (Ezra 4:8-9).

Word Details

Scripture References