Learn How to Pronounce Mitheredath
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The Expert's Take
Meaning and Context
Mitheredath is a historical figure of Persian origin who served as a high-ranking official, specifically a royal treasurer, within the Achaemenid Empire during the reign of King Artaxerxes I in the 5th century BCE. His primary biblical significance, as recorded in the Book of Ezra, stems from his role in the pivotal Jewish return from Babylonian exile and the subsequent Second Temple rebuilding efforts. In Ezra 1:8, he is entrusted by the Persian king with the sacred vessels looted from the Temple in Jerusalem, facilitating their return to the Jewish people in accordance with Cyrus's decree, a foundational event in the Persian period of biblical history. Later, in Ezra 4:7-9, Mitheredath reappears as a signatory, alongside officials like Ateradath and Tabeel, of an Aramaic letter to Artaxerxes accusing the Jews of sedition, thereby attempting to halt the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls. This dual role positions Mitheredath as a fascinating minor character who embodies the intricate and often contentious administrative oversight of the Persian empire over its subject peoples, highlighting the political challenges of the post-exilic restoration period.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The primary spelling "Mitheredath" is consistent across most modern English translations of the Bible, such as the ESV and NIV. However, variations exist due to transliteration from the original Hebrew (מִתְרְדָת, Mitrəḏāṯ) and Aramaic texts. Older translations or scholarly works may render it as "Mithredath," omitting the 'e' after the 'h'. A significant alternative comes from the base description's reference to "Thairuth, Melik de Perthia," which appears to be a variant or corrupted form from a specific textual tradition, possibly via the Dinka language biblical references (dip-JPB) mentioned. Common typos and misspellings arise from phonetic interpretations and include "Mithridath," "Mithredat," "Mitheredeth," and "Mithredath." Confusion with similar-sounding Persian names like "Mithridates" is also frequent, though they are distinct historical figures. Researchers examining Achaemenid officials in the Bible should be aware of these orthographic shifts, especially when consulting non-standard translations or historical commentaries.
Example Sentences
According to the biblical account, King Artaxerxes I directed Mitheredath, the royal treasurer, to ensure the safe passage of the Temple vessels back to Jerusalem.
The opposition letter sent to the Persian court was formally authored by several officials, including Mitheredath, who used his official Aramaic script.
Scholars analyzing the Book of Ezra note that Mitheredath represents the complex layer of Persian provincial administration that the returning Jewish community had to navigate.
Although a minor figure, the actions of Mitheredath had direct consequences on the pace and political legitimacy of the city's reconstruction.
The name Mitheredath itself is of Persian origin, suggesting he was a trusted individual integrated into the empire's bureaucratic elite.
Sources and References
As a historical biblical name, I researched its pronunciation through academic biblical studies resources and commentaries, such as those on BibleHub. I also consulted specialized databases for ancient Persian names and listened to scholarly lectures or audiobooks covering the Book of Ezra where the name appears.
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