6579. partemim

Lexical Summary

partemim: Nobles, Princes

Original Word: פַרְתַּם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: partam
Pronunciation: par-teh-meem
Phonetic Spelling: (par-tam')
KJV: (most) noble, prince
NASB: nobles, noble
Word Origin: [of Persian origin]

1. a grandee

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

most noble, prince

Of Persian origin; a grandee -- (most) noble, prince.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
nobles
NASB Translation
noble (1), nobles (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מַּרְתְּמִים noun masculine plural nobles (loan-word from Old Persian fratama, first, Spieg^{APK 232}, compare Sanskrit prathama; Lag^{Arm. Stud. § 2289}); — ׳הַמּ Esther 1:3; Esther 6:9; Daniel 1:3.

Topical Lexicon

Occurrences in Scripture

פַרְתַּם appears three times, each time depicting an elite class of royal courtiers: Esther 1:3; Esther 6:9; Daniel 1:3. In every context it is situated in the courts of world-ruling empires (Persia and Babylon), underscoring the presence of high-ranking individuals who wield significant influence around the throne.

Historical and Cultural Background

In the Achaemenid Persian system the king’s household was surrounded by trusted nobles who served as advisers, commanders and administrators. Classical writers (Herodotus 3.84; Xenophon Cyropaedia 8.1.17) note that such men were often of aristocratic lineage, trained from youth in etiquette, languages, law and military arts. Their proximity to the monarch made them both powerful and vulnerable; a single word from the king could exalt or endanger them (compare Esther 7:8-9). The Hebrew writers adopt the court term without criticism, acknowledging that earthly hierarchy exists under God’s sovereign hand (Proverbs 21:1).

Divine Providence Through Nobility

1. Esther 1:3 presents the nobles as witnesses to the lavish rule of Ahasuerus, setting the scene for Vashti’s dismissal and Esther’s eventual rise. Their attendance validates the grandeur of the empire while foreshadowing God’s use of Persian politics for the protection of His covenant people.
2. Esther 6:9 shows a “most noble official” assigned to honor Mordecai: “Then let the robe and the horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble officials…”. The very class that might have supported Haman’s ambition becomes the instrument of Mordecai’s exaltation, illustrating Proverbs 19:21.
3. Daniel 1:3 demonstrates God relocating Judean nobles to Babylonian training so that their wisdom, refined by faithfulness, would shine before Gentile rulers: “to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—”. Their placement fulfills Isaiah 39:7 and anticipates Daniel 2:48-49.

Theological Insights

• God is not limited by social strata. He sovereignly guides events in the palaces of world powers as readily as He does in humble villages (Psalm 113:7-8).
• Earthly nobility does not guarantee divine favor; rather, humble obedience does. Mordecai, though unheralded, receives honor above a Persian courtier, while Daniel and his friends surpass Babylonian peers through faithfulness (Daniel 1:17-20).
• Scripture implicitly critiques pride among the elite (Esther 6:6; Daniel 5:22-23) and affirms that genuine authority is a stewardship under God (Romans 13:1).

Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship

1. Engage Influencers: Like Daniel, believers today may be called to witness among cultural and political elites. Preparation in scholarship, integrity and prayer equips them to serve effectively.
2. Avoid Envy of Position: Esther teaches that apparent privilege can quickly turn to peril; only God’s favor is secure (Psalm 75:6-7).
3. Practice Honor Without Idolatry: Mordecai’s respectful conduct toward Persian protocols (Esther 2:19) balanced with uncompromising worship (Esther 3:4) models how Christians can honor authorities while fearing God alone (1 Peter 2:17).
4. Leverage Influence for God’s People: When raised to positions of influence, believers should emulate Esther and Daniel—interceding for the vulnerable, pursuing justice and living distinctively holy lives.

Contemporary Application

Whether in corporate boardrooms, governmental offices or academic institutions, modern “nobles” shape policies and culture. The biblical testimony of פַרְתַּם reminds the Church that:
• God strategically places His servants near centers of power for redemptive purposes.
• Faithful presence, not assimilation, is the calling (Matthew 5:16).
• Prayer for rulers and all who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:2) aligns with God’s historical pattern of working through the influential for the good of His people and the glory of His Name.

Forms and Transliterations

הַֽפַּרְתְּמִ֔ים הַֽפַּרְתְּמִ֛ים הַֽפַּרְתְּמִֽים׃ הפרתמים הפרתמים׃ hap·par·tə·mîm happarteMim happartəmîm

Englishman's Concordance

Esther 1:3
HEB: פָּרַ֣ס וּמָדַ֗י הַֽפַּרְתְּמִ֛ים וְשָׂרֵ֥י הַמְּדִינ֖וֹת
NAS: and Media, the nobles and the princes
KJV: and Media, the nobles and princes
INT: Persia and Media the nobles and the princes of his provinces

Esther 6:9
HEB: מִשָּׂרֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַֽפַּרְתְּמִ֔ים וְהִלְבִּ֙ישׁוּ֙ אֶת־
NAS: of the king's most noble princes
KJV: of the king's most noble princes,
INT: princes of the king's noble array the man

Daniel 1:3
HEB: הַמְּלוּכָ֖ה וּמִן־ הַֽפַּרְתְּמִֽים׃
NAS: of the royal family and of the nobles,
KJV: seed, and of the princes;
INT: of the royal some the nobles

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6579
3 Occurrences

hap·par·tə·mîm — 3 Occ.