### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Hôdûw**, represented by `{{H1912}}`, is a term of foreign origin that refers to **Hodu (i.e. Hindustan); India**. It is a specific geographical name that appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible. Its use in scripture is to define the easternmost boundary of a major ancient empire.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H1912}}` appears exclusively in the book of Esther to establish the immense scale of the kingdom of Ahasuerus. It is used in the opening of the book to define his reign as stretching "from **India** even unto Ethiopia" [[Esther 1:1]]. This same geographical description is repeated later when a royal decree is sent out to the "hundred twenty and seven provinces" that make up this vast territory [[Esther 8:9]]. In both instances, **India** serves as a crucial landmark denoting the empire's eastern limit.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help define the administrative and geographical context of `{{H1912}}`:
* `{{H3568}}` **Kûwsh** (Cush, Cush, Ethiopia): This term refers to Ethiopia and is consistently paired with `{{H1912}}` to mark the opposite, westernmost boundary of Ahasuerus's empire [[Esther 1:1]].
* `{{H4082}}` **mᵉdîynâh** (province): This word describes the administrative districts within the empire. The territory stretching from **India** to Ethiopia is specified as containing "an hundred and seven and twenty provinces" [[Esther 1:1]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H1912}}` is primarily geographical and historical, anchoring the narrative of Esther in a real-world context.
* **Imperial Boundary:** **Hôdûw** functions as the definitive eastern border of the Persian empire under Ahasuerus, providing a tangible sense of its massive scope.
* **Geographical Juxtaposition:** Its pairing with Ethiopia `{{H3568}}` creates a powerful image of a kingdom that spanned the known world, from the Indian subcontinent in the east to the upper Nile region in the west.
* **Administrative Framework:** The mention of **India** sets the stage for understanding the logistical challenges of governing 127 provinces, a key element in the story of Esther's rise and the dispatch of critical decrees [[Esther 8:9]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1912}}` is a precise geographical term for **India**. Though it appears only twice, its role is significant. It is used exclusively in the book of Esther to frame the narrative within the vast expanse of the Persian empire under Ahasuerus, providing a clear and historically grounded understanding of the kingdom's reach from its eastern border in **India** to its western one in Ethiopia.
TRV