xlit Mᵉdâthâ corrected to Mᵉdâthâʼ; of Persian origin; Medatha, the father of Haman; Hammedatha (including the article).
Transliteration:Mᵉdâthâʼ
Pronunciation:med-aw-thaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H4099}}`, transliterated as *Mᵉdâthâʼ*, is a proper noun. Its base definition states it is "of Persian origin," indicating that its etymology does not derive from Hebrew roots but from the language of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. As a proper noun, its semantic range is exceptionally narrow, referring exclusively to a specific individual: the father of Haman. The form "Hammedatha" includes the definite article, "ha-" (the), making it "the Medatha" or "the Hammedatha," which became the standard way of referring to him in the biblical text. Thus, the core meaning is simply the personal name of an individual, with no inherent theological or conceptual significance beyond its referent.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name *Mᵉdâthâʼ* (Hammedatha) appears exclusively in the book of Esther. It is consistently used to identify the father of Haman, the primary antagonist of the narrative. The occurrences are:
* [[Esther 3:1]]: "After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the officials who were with him."
* [[Esther 3:10]]: "Then the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews."
* [[Esther 5:11]]: "And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions that the king had bestowed on him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. Haman also said, 'Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the banquet she prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her along with the king.' Then Haman said, 'Yet all this is of no value to me whenever I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.'"
* [[Esther 7:6]]: "And Esther said, 'A foe and an enemy! This wicked Haman!' Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen."
* [[Esther 8:5]]: "And she said, 'If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and if the thing seems right before the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king’s provinces.'"
* [[Esther 9:10]]: "the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, they killed, but they laid no hand on the plunder."
* [[Esther 9:24]]: "For Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast Pur—that is, the lot—to crush and destroy them."
In every instance, *Mᵉdâthâʼ* serves to establish Haman’s lineage, linking him directly to his father. This consistent identification of Haman as "the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite" is crucial for understanding the depth of his animosity towards the Jewish people. While Medatha himself plays no active role in the narrative, his name is indispensable in defining Haman's identity and, by extension, his hereditary enmity, which is further emphasized by the "Agagite" designation connecting him to King Agag of the Amalekites (cf. [[1 Samuel 15:8]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
As a proper noun of foreign origin, *Mᵉdâthâʼ* does not have direct lexical cognates in Hebrew. However, it is intrinsically linked to several key concepts and names within the book of Esther:
* **Haman:** The immediate and most significant connection. Haman is consistently identified by his paternal lineage, underscoring the importance of family identity in the ancient Near East.
* **Agagite:** This epithet, often paired with "son of Hammedatha," is profoundly significant. It identifies Haman as a descendant of Agag, the king of the Amalekites, a people perpetually at enmity with Israel (cf. [[Exodus 17:16]], [[Deuteronomy 25:17-19]], [[1 Samuel 15:8-9]]). This connection imbues Haman's plot with historical and theological weight, portraying it as a continuation of an ancient, divinely condemned antagonism.
* **Persian Origin:** The fact that the name is Persian points to the historical setting of the book of Esther within the Persian Empire, highlighting the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural context in which the events unfold.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *Mᵉdâthâʼ* is entirely indirect, deriving from its role in identifying Haman. While Medatha himself is not an agent in God's redemptive plan, his name contributes to the full identification of Haman, whose plot against the Jews serves as a dramatic backdrop for the demonstration of God's providential care.
The consistent mention of Haman's full title – "Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite" – highlights a deep-seated, perhaps hereditary, animosity. This lineage, particularly the "Agagite" designation, transforms Haman from a mere political adversary into a figure embodying the ancient, persistent opposition to God's people. In this context, Medatha's name, as the paternal link, underscores the perceived generational nature of this enmity. God's ultimate defeat of Haman's plans, despite his powerful lineage and high position in the Persian court, powerfully illustrates divine sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant with Israel. The name, therefore, implicitly points to the larger theological themes of divine providence, the ongoing struggle between good and evil, and God's protection of His chosen people against their enemies.
### Summary
`{{H4099}}`, *Mᵉdâthâʼ* (Hammedatha), is a proper noun of Persian origin, referring exclusively to the father of Haman, the antagonist in the Book of Esther. While Medatha himself is a passive figure in the biblical narrative, his name is consistently used to identify Haman, establishing his lineage. This paternal link, especially when coupled with the epithet "the Agagite," deepens the historical and theological context of Haman's enmity towards the Jews, portraying it as a continuation of an ancient, divinely condemned opposition. Thus, the name, though seemingly minor, serves to underscore the profound nature of the conflict and ultimately highlights God's sovereign protection of His people against all adversaries.
TRV