### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Mithrᵉdâth**, represented by `{{H4990}}`, is a proper name of Persian origin. It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible and refers to two different Persian individuals mentioned during the time of the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H4990}}` identifies two distinct officials serving the Persian empire. The first **Mithredath** appears in the context of the return from exile as the **treasurer** `{{H1489}}` under Cyrus, **king** `{{H4428}}` of **Persia** `{{H6539}}`. He was responsible for bringing forth the temple vessels and numbering them for Sheshbazzar, the **prince** `{{H5387}}` of Judah [[Ezra 1:8]]. The second person named **Mithredath** is listed as one of the men who wrote a letter to **Artaxerxes** `{{H783}}`, the king of Persia, expressing opposition to the Jews [[Ezra 4:7]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help establish the historical context for the individuals named **Mithrᵉdâth**:
* `{{H1489}}` **gizbâr** (treasurer): This title is explicitly applied to the first Mithredath, defining his official role in the administration of King Cyrus [[Ezra 1:8]].
* `{{H783}}` **'Artachshashtâ'** (Artaxerxes): This is the title of the Persian king to whom the second Mithredath directed a letter, showing the political environment of the time [[Ezra 4:7]].
* `{{H6539}}` **Pâraç** (Persia, Persians): This word identifies the empire in which both men served, grounding their stories in the historical Persian period [[Ezra 1:8]].
* `{{H4428}}` **melek** (king): This term describes the rulers, Cyrus and Artaxerxes, whom these men served, highlighting their positions within the royal hierarchy ([[Ezra 1:8]], [[Ezra 4:7]]).
* `{{H5387}}` **nâsîyʼ** (prince, ruler): This title describes Sheshbazzar, the leader of Judah who received the sacred items from Mithredath the treasurer [[Ezra 1:8]].
### Theological Significance
The narrative role of the name `{{H4990}}` is purely historical, illustrating the administrative structure of the Persian empire and its interaction with the people of Judah.
* **Administrative Function:** The first Mithredath acts as a key Persian official, a **treasurer** `{{H1489}}`, who is instrumental in carrying out King Cyrus's decree to return the temple treasures to Judah [[Ezra 1:8]].
* **Political Correspondence:** The second Mithredath is part of a group of officials who formally wrote to King **Artaxerxes** `{{H783}}`, placing him within the political events described in the book of Ezra [[Ezra 4:7]].
* **Persian Oversight:** The presence of these two individuals in the record underscores the direct involvement of Persian officials in the affairs of the Jews during the post-exilic period.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4990}}` is not a common noun but the specific Persian name **Mithrᵉdâth**, which identifies two different historical figures in the book of Ezra. The name is exclusively tied to the administration of the Persian empire, with one man serving as a **treasurer** `{{H1489}}` who facilitated the return to Judah [[Ezra 1:8]] and the other being an official who participated in a letter to the Persian **king** `{{H4428}}` [[Ezra 4:7]]. These accounts provide insight into the historical context of the era.
TRV