### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H4825}}` (מֶרֶס, *Mereç*) is a proper noun, identified in its base definition as being "of foreign derivation." This indicates that the word does not originate from a Semitic root within the Hebrew language, and therefore does not possess an inherent etymological meaning discoverable through Hebrew linguistic analysis. Instead, it functions solely as the name of an individual. Specifically, `{{H4825}}` refers to "Meres," one of the seven princes of Persia and Media mentioned in the Book of Esther. As a proper noun, its semantic range is restricted to identifying this particular person within the biblical narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H4825}}` (Meres) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Esther:
* **[[Esther 1:14]]**: "And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom."
In this solitary occurrence, Meres is listed as one of the seven high-ranking officials who served as advisors to King Ahasuerus. These princes held significant influence, described as those "who saw the king's face" (indicating direct access and favor) and "who sat the first in the kingdom" (denoting their preeminent status). Their role in [[Esther 1]] is to advise the king on the matter of Queen Vashti's disobedience and to propose a course of action. Meres, along with the other six princes, represents the highest echelon of the Persian court, underscoring the vast and structured administration of the Achaemenid Empire. His inclusion in this specific list serves to authenticate the setting and the political realities described in the narrative.
### Related Words & Concepts
Given that `{{H4825}}` is a proper noun of foreign origin, there are no direct Hebrew cognates or etymologically related words within the biblical lexicon. However, it is contextually related to:
* **Other Persian Officials**: Meres is always mentioned in conjunction with the other six princes: Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Marsena, and Memucan. These names, like Meres, are likely Persian in origin and collectively represent the king's inner circle of advisors.
* **Persian Court Terminology**: The general vocabulary associated with the Persian imperial administration, such as terms for decrees, provinces, and royal protocol, provides the backdrop for understanding Meres's position.
* **The Book of Esther's Historical Setting**: The detailed portrayal of the Persian court, its customs, and its officials (including Meres), contributes to the historical verisimilitude of the narrative, even as scholars debate the precise historicity of every detail.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4825}}` (Meres) does not stem from any inherent meaning of the name itself, but rather from its function within the divinely orchestrated narrative of Esther. Meres, as one of the seven princes, represents a key element of the powerful, yet ultimately subservient, human government through which God's providential plan unfolds.
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Human Authority**: Meres's position highlights the extensive reach and power of the Persian Empire. Yet, the entire narrative of Esther implicitly demonstrates that even the mightiest human empires and their most influential advisors are ultimately subject to the unseen hand of God, who works through human events to protect His people.
2. **Historical Grounding of Providence**: The meticulous listing of names like Meres contributes to the historical realism of the book. This detail grounds the dramatic events of the narrative in a tangible historical setting, reinforcing the idea that God's providence is active within real-world political and social structures, not just in abstract theological concepts.
3. **The Unseen Hand of God**: In a book notably devoid of direct divine intervention or explicit mention of God's name, the meticulous description of the Persian court, including figures like Meres, underscores the principle that God's purposes are achieved through ordinary (and sometimes extraordinary) human actions and decisions. Meres, though a minor character, is part of the tapestry through which the deliverance of the Jewish people is secured.
### Summary
`{{H4825}}` (מֶרֶס, *Mereç*) is a proper noun of foreign derivation, referring to Meres, one of the seven influential princes and advisors to King Ahasuerus of Persia. Appearing only once in [[Esther 1:14]], his inclusion serves to detail the high-ranking officials of the Persian court. While the name itself carries no inherent Hebrew theological meaning, Meres's presence in the narrative contributes to the historical grounding of the Book of Esther. Theologically, his role, alongside the other princes, illustrates the vastness of the human authority through which God, in His unseen providence, works to accomplish His sovereign plan for His people, even within the seemingly secular affairs of an imperial court.
TRV