Mithredath is a name found in the Old Testament, associated with two distinct individuals during the period of the Persian Empire. The name itself is of Persian origin, meaning "given by Mithra," with Mithra being a deity in the ancient Persian pantheon. The presence of this name in the biblical text highlights the influence of Persian culture and governance during the time of the Jewish exile and subsequent return to Jerusalem.

1. Mithredath, the Treasurer: Mithredath is first mentioned in the context of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. He is identified as a treasurer under King Cyrus of Persia. In Ezra 1:8, the Berean Standard Bible states: "Cyrus king of Persia had them brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah." Mithredath's role was significant in the restoration of the Jewish temple, as he was responsible for overseeing the return of the sacred vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem. This act was part of Cyrus's decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the temple, demonstrating the Persian king's policy of religious tolerance and restoration.

2. Mithredath, the Opponent: Another individual named Mithredath appears in the book of Ezra as an adversary to the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. In Ezra 4:7, the Berean Standard Bible records: "And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated." This Mithredath was part of a group of officials who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the temple, fearing the potential rise of Jewish power and autonomy. Their letter to King Artaxerxes was an attempt to halt the construction by accusing the Jews of planning rebellion.

The two references to individuals named Mithredath in the book of Ezra illustrate the complex interactions between the Jewish community and the Persian authorities during the post-exilic period. The first Mithredath played a role in facilitating the return and religious restoration of the Jewish people, while the second was involved in efforts to obstruct their progress. These accounts reflect the broader historical context of Persian rule, where local officials and policies could either support or hinder the Jewish community's efforts to reestablish themselves in their ancestral homeland.Mithredath

breaking the law

Mithredath

(given by Mithra).

1. The treasurer of Cyrus king of Persia, to whom the king gave the vessels of the temple. (Ezra 1:8)
2. A Persian officer stationed at Samaria. (Ezra 4:7)

Given by Mithra, or dedicated to Mithra, i.e., the sun, the Hebrew form of the Greek name Mithridates.

(1.) The "treasurer" of King Cyrus (Ezra 1:8).

(2.) Ezra 4:7, a Persian officer in Samaria.

MITHREDATH

mith'-re-dath (mithredhath; Persian equals "gift of Mithra" or "consecrated to Mithra"):

(1) The Persian treasurer through whom Cyrus restored the sacred vessels to the returning Jewish exiles (Ezra 1:8).

(2) A Persian, perhaps an official, who was associated with Bishlam and Tabeel in corresponding with Artaxerxes concerning the restoration of Jerusalem (Ezra 4:7). In 1 Esdras 2:11, 16, the name is written MITHRADATES (which see).

4990. Mithredath -- two Persians
... 4989, 4990. Mithredath. 4991 . two Persians. Transliteration: Mithredath Phonetic
Spelling: (mith-red-awth') Short Definition: Mithredath. ...
/hebrew/4990.htm - 5k

The Eve of the Restoration
... forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; 8. Even those
did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the eve of the restoration.htm

Rebuilding the Temple
... Persia, had the vessels of the temple of Jehovah, which Nebuchadrezzar had carried
from Jerusalem, brought out under the direction of Mithredath, the treasurer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/rebuilding the temple.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... of Jerusalem; . . . even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by
the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, . . . five thousand ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... I say, these things are lying words, and forged even in the heart of 'Bishlam,
Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions' (Ezekiel 4:7). For verily ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Mithredath (2 Occurrences)
... (2.) Ezra 4:7, a Persian officer in Samaria. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MITHREDATH. ... Multi-Version Concordance Mithredath (2 Occurrences). ...
/m/mithredath.htm - 8k

Mithradates
... king committed the vessels which had been taken from the temple and who delivered
them to the governor, Sanabassar (1 Esdras 2:11 equals "Mithredath" of Ezra 1 ...
/m/mithradates.htm - 7k

Mith'redath (2 Occurrences)
Mith'redath. Mithredath, Mith'redath. Mitre . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
RSV). Mithredath, Mith'redath. Mitre . Reference Bible.
/m/mith'redath.htm - 7k

Bishlam (1 Occurrence)
... In 1 Esdras the reading is "Belemus." "And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam,
Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, unto Artaxerxes, king ...
/b/bishlam.htm - 7k

Persia (30 Occurrences)
... Ezra 1:8 even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath
the treasurer, and numbered them to Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. ...
/p/persia.htm - 20k

Treasurer (6 Occurrences)
... (3) Gizbar, used in Ezra 7:21 (Aramaic) and equivalent in Ezra 1:8 (Hebrew):
"treasurers beyond the river" and "Mithredath the treasurer." (4) Cakhan ...
/t/treasurer.htm - 17k

Numbereth (9 Occurrences)
... Ezra 1:8 yea, Cyrus king of Persia bringeth them out by the hand of Mithredath the
treasurer, and numbereth them to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. (YLT). ...
/n/numbereth.htm - 9k

Interpreted (19 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the
rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of ...
/i/interpreted.htm - 12k

Tab'eel (1 Occurrence)
... Ezra 4:7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the
rest of his companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of ...
/t/tab'eel.htm - 6k

Translated (15 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:7 In the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest
of his companions, to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the ...
/t/translated.htm - 10k

Who was Sheshbazzar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Artaxerxes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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