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אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ

𐤀𐤇𐤔𐤅𐤓𐤅𐤔

Achasheverosh

H325 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain (non-Hebrew proper name)

Definition

Proper name designating Persian kings, most notably the ruler featured in the books of Esther, Ezra, and Daniel. Used as a royal name or title, often equated with the historical figure Xerxes I, though it may refer more generally to a line of Persian monarchs. The term does not inherently distinguish between individual rulers but serves as a designator for a king of Persia.

Semantic Range

royal name or title for Persian king, proper name for ruler in Esther, Ezra, Daniel; title applied to multiple Persian monarchs or used generically for king of Persia

Root / Etymology

Of Persian origin, unrelated to native Hebrew roots. The Hebrew אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (ʼĂchashvêrôwsh) is a phonetic adaptation of an Old Persian kingly name, often linked to Khshayarsha (Xerxes I). The word does not derive from a Hebrew root, and its Persian etymology relates to royal dignity, though the precise original form and meaning are debated.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ is used for the ruler of Persia in the books of Esther, Ezra, and Daniel. In Esther, he is depicted as the monarch reigning over an extensive empire from India to Cush. The identification with Xerxes I is widely accepted but not absolute; in Ezra and Daniel, some propose alternative identifications such as Artaxerxes or another Achaemenid king, highlighting translation and historical ambiguities. Later translations and traditions rendered the name as "Ahasuerus" and at times as "Artaxerxes," but these reflect Greek and Latin transliterations, not the intended biblical referent. The term functions as a royal title in some contexts, similar to "Pharaoh" in Egypt. English Bible versions often use "Ahasuerus" as a direct transliteration, but the term itself is not a uniquely personal name and does not always connect to a single historical figure.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shortened) אַחַשְׁרֹשׁ (Esther 10:1); of Persian origin; Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a Persian king; Ahasuerus.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

— (—) — uncertain (non-Hebrew royal name)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H116 אֱדַיִן then
H133 אַדְמָתָא Admatha
H175 אַהֲרוֹן and in Aharon
H1834 דַּמֶּשֶׂק Damascus
H1867 דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ Darius

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H325-01 אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ achasheverosh HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus 30
H325-03 אֳחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ ochasheverosh HNp Ahasuerus Achashverosh 1
H325-02 אחשרש chshrsh HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus the Persian king 1

Occurrences in Scripture

32 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H325-01 Esther 1:1 אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ achasheverosh HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus
H325-01 Esther 1:1 אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ achasheverosh-2 HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus
H325-01 Esther 1:2 אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ achasheverosh HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus
H325-01 Esther 1:9 אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ achasheverosh HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus
H325-01 Esther 1:10 אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ achasheverosh HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus
H325-01 Esther 1:15 אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ achasheverosh HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus
H325-01 Esther 1:16 אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ achasheverosh HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus
H325-01 Esther 1:17 אֲחַשְׁוֵר֡וֹשׁ achasheverosh HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus
H325-01 Esther 1:19 אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ achasheverosh HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus
H325-01 Esther 2:1 אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ achasheverosh HNp Ahasuerus Ahasuerus
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