Lexical Summary achashteran: Royal horse, swift steed Original Word: אֲחַשְׁתָּרָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance camel Of Persian origin; a mule -- camel. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition royal NASB Translation royal (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אֲחַשְׁתְּרָן] adjective (?) royal (from Persian Khshatra, lordship, realm, see Spiegl. with 215) plural הָאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִים agreeing with הָרֶכֶשׁ Esther 8:10,14. אַחַת see אֶחָד. אַט see אטט. below אטד (meaning dubious; perhaps compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Narrative Context The masculine noun appears twice, both in Esther 8. In verse 10, once the counter-decree has been composed, “Mordecai sealed it with the king’s signet ring and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on swift horses bred from the royal herd” (Esther 8:10). Verse 14 then recounts, “The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, hastened and pressed on by the king’s command” (Esther 8:14). In both places אֲחַשְׁתָּרָן designates the elite mounts that carried the king’s messengers. Historical Background Persia maintained an efficient imperial postal network, vital to governance over its vast territories. Archaeological and classical sources (for example, Herodotus, Histories 8.98) confirm a system in which relays of mounted couriers carried royal decrees with unparalleled speed. The animals referenced by Esther stand at the pinnacle of that service: specially bred, meticulously trained, and reserved for governmental use. Their inclusion in the narrative underscores the urgency and authority of the decree that reversed Haman’s genocidal plan. Theological Significance 1. Divine Providence: The presence of these royal mounts displays how God used existing governmental structures to safeguard His covenant people. While His name is never mentioned in Esther, His sovereignty is evident in the timing (“swift horses”) and efficiency of the rescue. Practical and Ministry Applications • Urgency in Gospel Proclamation: Like the Persian couriers, believers are entrusted with a life-saving message that must reach every province without delay (Matthew 28:19-20). Typological Insights The swift steeds bear resemblance to the white horse of Revelation 19:11, on which the conquering Christ rides. Both images blend royal authority with unstoppable advance, foreshadowing the ultimate victory of the King of kings. Summary אֲחַשְׁתָּרָן highlights the means by which God rapidly dispatched His saving decree throughout the Persian Empire. The term draws attention to divine providence operating through human institutions, the necessity of prompt proclamation, and the certainty that the King’s word, once issued, will never fail. Forms and Transliterations הָֽאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים האחשתרנים hā’ăḥaštərānîm hā·’ă·ḥaš·tə·rā·nîm haachashteraNimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Esther 8:10 HEB: רֹכְבֵ֤י הָרֶ֙כֶשׁ֙ הָֽאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים בְּנֵ֖י הָֽרַמָּכִֽים׃ KJV: on mules, camels, [and] young INT: riding steeds camels sired the royal Esther 8:14 2 Occurrences |
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make firm, strong, compare Thes MV).