Who was Parmashta in the Bible?

Parmashta was one of the ten sons of Haman the Agagite, the chief enemy of the Jewish people in the Book of Esther. He was killed by the Jews in Susa during the counterattack on the 13th of Adar, as recorded in Esther 9:9.

Why were Haman's sons, including Parmashta, killed?

They were killed because they actively participated in their father Haman's genocidal plot to destroy all the Jews in the Persian Empire. Their deaths were part of the Jews' legal self-defense on the day appointed for their annihilation, as described in Esther 9:1-10.

What is the significance of Parmashta's death in the Purim story?

The death of Parmashta and his brothers symbolizes the complete overthrow of Haman's evil house and God's deliverance of His people. Their defeat is commemorated annually during the festival of Purim, celebrating the Jews' victory over their enemies.

Parmashta

Old TestamentExile & ReturnMaleSon

Parmashta was one of Haman's ten sons killed by the Jews in Susa during the events of Purim.

Parmashta

Biography

Parmashta was one of the ten sons of Haman the Agagite, the chief antagonist of the Jewish people during the Persian exile. When Haman's genocidal plot against the Jews was exposed through the courage of Queen Esther and the faithfulness of Mordecai, the tables turned dramatically. King Ahasuerus authorized the Jews to defend themselves, and in the ensuing conflict in the citadel of Susa, Parmashta and his nine brothers were killed (Esther 9:7-9). Their names are recorded in a distinctive list that Jewish tradition renders in a single narrow column in the scroll of Esther, emphasizing the totality of Haman's downfall. The execution of all ten sons ensured that Haman's house was completely eliminated, preventing any future resurgence of his anti-Jewish vendetta. Parmashta's death marked the comprehensive reversal of the threat against God's covenant people.

Significance

Parmashta's fate, along with that of his brothers, illustrates the biblical principle that those who plot destruction against God's people ultimately bring destruction upon themselves. The complete eradication of Haman's lineage echoes the ancient enmity between Israel and Amalek, as Haman was identified as an Agagite descendant of the Amalekite royal line. Parmashta's death thus represents the fulfillment of God's declared intention to blot out Amalek's memory (Exodus 17:14). Within the theology of Esther, where God's name is never explicitly mentioned, the downfall of Haman's sons reveals divine providence working through human events to preserve the covenant community from annihilation.

Verse Appearances (1)

Esth

Esth 9:9

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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