Vaizatha; Vajezatha
A Son of Haman
Vaizatha is listed in Esther 9:9 as one of the ten sons of Haman, the chief minister of the Persian king Ahasuerus (commonly identified with Xerxes I). Haman had plotted to annihilate all the Jews throughout the Persian Empire, but his scheme was thwarted by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai. The name appears with various spellings across translations, including Vajezatha, reflecting the challenges of rendering Persian names through Hebrew and then into English.
The Downfall of Haman's House
Haman's plot against the Jews unraveled dramatically. After Esther revealed Haman's conspiracy to King Ahasuerus at a banquet, Haman was executed on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai (Esther 7:9-10). The king then issued a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies on the day Haman had designated for their destruction (Esther 8:11-12). On the thirteenth of Adar, the Jews fought against those who sought to harm them, and the ten sons of Haman — including Vaizatha — were killed in the citadel of Susa (Esther 9:6-10).
The Listing of the Ten Sons
The ten sons of Haman are listed in Esther 9:7-9: Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha. In the Hebrew text of Esther, these ten names are traditionally written in a distinctive columnar format, set apart from the surrounding text. Jewish tradition holds that this special formatting indicates that all ten were executed simultaneously. Queen Esther later requested that the bodies of Haman's sons be publicly displayed on gallows as a deterrent (Esther 9:13-14).
The Persian Name
Scholars have connected the name Vaizatha to the Old Persian name Vahyazdata, meaning "Given of the Best One" or "Given by the Best." This Persian origin is consistent with Haman's high position in the imperial court and the multicultural naming practices of the Achaemenid Empire. The unusual letter formations in the Hebrew text noted by ancient scribes may reflect the difficulty of transcribing this foreign name.
Significance in the Purim Story
The death of Haman's ten sons represents the complete reversal of fortune that is central to the theology of Esther. The family that had sought to destroy God's people was itself destroyed. This reversal is celebrated annually in the Jewish festival of Purim, during which the book of Esther is read aloud. When the ten names of Haman's sons are reached, Jewish tradition calls for them to be read in a single breath, symbolizing their simultaneous destruction.
Biblical Context
Vaizatha appears in Esther 9:9 as the last of Haman's ten sons killed by the Jews in Susa. The broader narrative spans Esther chapters 3-9, covering Haman's plot, its reversal through Esther's intervention, and the Jewish victory over their enemies.
Theological Significance
The destruction of Haman's entire house, including Vaizatha, illustrates the biblical principle that those who plot against God's people ultimately bring destruction upon themselves. The complete reversal from planned genocide to victory demonstrates God's providential protection of His covenant people, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned in the text.
Historical Background
The events of Esther are set in the Persian capital of Susa during the reign of Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I, 486-465 BC). The Achaemenid Persian Empire stretched from India to Ethiopia. Archaeological excavations at Susa have uncovered the palace complex described in Esther, including the columned halls and gardens mentioned in the narrative. Persian names like Vaizatha are attested in Old Persian inscriptions and administrative documents.