7800. Shushan
Lexical Summary
Shushan: Susa

Original Word: שׁוּשַׁן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Shuwshan
Pronunciation: shoo-SHAN
Phonetic Spelling: (shoo-shan')
KJV: Shushan
NASB: Susa
Word Origin: [the same as H7799 (שׁוּשַׁן שׁוֹשָׁן שׁוֹשָׁן שׁוֹשַׁנָּה - lily)]

1. Shushan, a place in Persia

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Shushan

The same as shuwshan; Shushan, a place in Persia -- Shushan.

see HEBREW shuwshan

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as shushan
Definition
residence of Pers. kings
NASB Translation
Susa (21).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. שׁוּשַׁן proper name, of a location Susa, winter residence of Persian kings; Σουσαν, ἐν Σουσοις (cuneiform Šûšan DlPa 326 COTNehemiah 1:1 BillerbeckSusa SayHast. DB SHUSHAN); — הַבִּירָת ׳שׁ Nehemiah 1:1 (9th month, כִּסְלֵו), Daniel 8:2 (in Elam), Esther 1:2,5; Esther 2:3,5,8; Esther 3:15; a Esther 8:14; Esther 9:6; Esther 9:11; Esther 9:12 (12th month, אֲדָר, Esther 9:1); ׳הַבּ omitted, שׁוּשָׁ֑ן Esther 4:8,16 and (month אֲדָר) Esther 9:13,14,15 (twice in verse); Esther 9:18; ׳הָעִיר שׁ Esther 3:15b; Esther 8:15.

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrences

Shushan (Susa) appears twenty-one times in the Old Testament: Nehemiah 1:1; Esther 1:2, 1:5; 2:3, 2:5, 2:8; 3:15 (twice); 4:8, 4:16; 8:14, 8:15; 9:6, 9:11, 9:12, 9:13, 9:14; 9:15 (twice), 9:18; Daniel 8:2. With the exception of Daniel’s visionary setting, every reference describes the royal citadel of Persia during the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) and the period immediately following.

Geographic and Archaeological Background

Shushan stood in the fertile plain east of the Tigris and roughly 150 miles north of the Persian Gulf. The site was strategically selected along trade routes linking Mesopotamia, Elam, and the Iranian plateau. Excavations have uncovered an imposing acropolis, a fortified “citadel” (Hebrew הבִּירָה, habbirah, Esther 1:2), and an audience hall whose column bases still dominate the mound of modern Shush. Reliefs and inscriptions confirm the opulence described in Scripture, notably the famed Palace of Xerxes. The city’s winter climate made it a favored royal residence, complementing Ecbatana (summer) and Persepolis (ceremonial).

Historical Context in the Persian Period

After Babylon fell to Cyrus in 539 B.C., Shushan rose as an administrative capital of the Achaemenid Empire. By the time of Xerxes I (486–465 B.C.), it functioned as both political hub and storehouse of imperial wealth. The edicts sent from Shushan (Esther 3:15; 8:14) relied on an efficient postal system that reached from India to Cush (Esther 8:9). Jewish exiles, though permitted to return to Judah, also remained dispersed throughout Persian provinces; their presence in Shushan itself sets the stage for the book of Esther.

Shushan in the Book of Esther

1. Royal Banquets: “In those days King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa” (Esther 1:2). The ensuing feast, lasting 180 days, demonstrates imperial power yet foreshadows the vulnerability of the Jews under capricious rule.
2. Rise of Esther and Mordecai: Jewish life at court (Esther 2:5–8) highlights God’s hidden providence within secular structures.
3. Haman’s Decree and Reversal: Edicts were proclaimed and rescinded in Shushan’s square (Esther 3:15; 8:14-15). Public fasting (4:16) and subsequent rejoicing (8:15) reveal spiritual battle waged in the very heart of Gentile authority.
4. Defense and Deliverance: Violent confrontation within the city (Esther 9:6-15) underscores divine protection. “For the Jews in Susa assembled on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men” (Esther 9:15). Purim’s origin is inseparable from Shushan’s streets.

Shushan in Nehemiah’s Memoirs

Nehemiah served Artaxerxes I “in the citadel of Susa” (Nehemiah 1:1). His grief over Jerusalem’s desolation, expressed before the king, illustrates how God can mobilize resources from a pagan palace to rebuild His holy city. Shushan thus becomes the unlikely launching point for the second-temple community’s restoration.

Shushan in the Vision of Daniel

“In the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, I, Daniel, had a vision… in the citadel of Susa” (Daniel 8:1-2). Long before Persia ascended, the prophet finds himself transported to Shushan, where he sees the ram and the goat—symbols of Medo-Persia and Greece. The location anticipates Persia’s supremacy and validates predictive prophecy.

Theological Themes

1. Sovereignty over Empires: God’s purposes advance even in foreign capitals (Proverbs 21:1).
2. Preservation of the Covenant People: Shushan’s narrative proves the inviolability of the Abrahamic promise (Genesis 12:3).
3. Hidden Providence: The divine name is absent in Esther, yet every detail in Shushan manifests providential orchestration (Romans 8:28).
4. Eschatological Foreshadowing: Daniel’s Shushan vision forecasts successive kingdoms, pointing to the ultimate reign of Messiah (Daniel 7:14).

Ministry Applications

• Marketplace Ministry: Like Esther and Nehemiah, believers placed in secular institutions may influence policy and culture without compromising faith.
• Intercessory Prayer and Fasting: Corporate fasting in Shushan (Esther 4:16) models congregational response to existential threats.
• Courageous Advocacy: Mordecai’s steadfastness encourages engagement with authorities for justice (Proverbs 31:8-9).
• Celebration of Deliverance: Purim illustrates the importance of commemorating God’s interventions, strengthening communal identity.

Christological Foreshadowing

Shushan’s palace drama prefigures Christ’s mediatorial role. Esther’s willingness to “perish” (Esther 4:16) parallels the greater Intercessor who entered the throne room not merely risking but laying down His life (Hebrews 9:24-26). The great reversal—from a sentence of death to jubilant life—anticipates the victory accomplished at the cross and affirmed in the empty tomb.

Related Scriptures and Cross-References

Proverbs 16:9; 21:1 – divine direction of rulers’ hearts.
Psalm 124 – corporate thanksgiving for deliverance.
Romans 13:1-7 – God’s sovereignty over governing authorities.
1 Peter 2:9-12 – testimony among the nations.

Summary

Shushan stands as more than an archaeological relic; it is a testament to God’s unthwarted purposes amid the courts of men. From Daniel’s vision to Esther’s intercession and Nehemiah’s commissioning, the citadel of Susa showcases divine orchestration, covenant faithfulness, and the call for God’s people to serve boldly in every arena of life until the consummation of the kingdom.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן בְּשׁוּשַׁ֨ן בְּשׁוּשָׁ֑ן בְּשׁוּשָׁ֔ן בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן בְּשׁוּשָׁ֤ן בְשׁוּשָׁ֔ן בשושן וּבְשׁוּשַׁ֣ן ובשושן שׁוּשַׁ֤ן שׁוּשַׁ֥ן שׁוּשָׁ֔ן שׁוּשָׁ֖ן שושן bə·šū·šan bə·šū·šān ḇə·šū·šān beshuShan bəšūšan bəšūšān ḇəšūšān shuShan šū·šan šū·šān šūšan šūšān ū·ḇə·šū·šan ūḇəšūšan uveshuShan veshuShan
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Nehemiah 1:1
HEB: וַאֲנִ֥י הָיִ֖יתִי בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה׃
NAS: year, while I was in Susa the capitol,
KJV: year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
INT: I happened Susa the capitol

Esther 1:2
HEB: מַלְכוּת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה׃
NAS: which [was] at the citadel in Susa,
KJV: of his kingdom, which [was] in Shushan the palace,
INT: his royal which Susa the citadel

Esther 1:5
HEB: הָעָ֣ם הַנִּמְצְאִים֩ בְּשׁוּשַׁ֨ן הַבִּירָ֜ה לְמִגָּ֧דוֹל
NAS: at the citadel in Susa, from the greatest
KJV: that were present in Shushan the palace,
INT: the people were present Susa the citadel the greatest

Esther 2:3
HEB: מַרְאֶ֜ה אֶל־ שׁוּשַׁ֤ן הַבִּירָה֙ אֶל־
NAS: to the citadel of Susa, to the harem,
KJV: virgins unto Shushan the palace,
INT: apparently of Susa to the citadel to

Esther 2:5
HEB: יְהוּדִ֔י הָיָ֖ה בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֑ה וּשְׁמ֣וֹ
NAS: [Now] there was at the citadel in Susa a Jew
KJV: [Now] in Shushan the palace
INT: A Jew become Susa the citadel name

Esther 2:8
HEB: רַבּ֛וֹת אֶל־ שׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָ֖ה אֶל־
NAS: to the citadel of Susa into the custody
KJV: were gathered together unto Shushan the palace,
INT: and many of Susa to the citadel into

Esther 3:15
HEB: וְהַדָּ֥ת נִתְּנָ֖ה בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֑ה וְהַמֶּ֤לֶךְ
NAS: at the citadel in Susa; and while the king
KJV: was given in Shushan the palace.
INT: the decree was issued Susa the citadel the king

Esther 3:15
HEB: לִשְׁתּ֔וֹת וְהָעִ֥יר שׁוּשָׁ֖ן נָבֽוֹכָה׃ פ
NAS: the city of Susa was in confusion.
KJV: but the city Shushan was perplexed.
INT: to drink the city of Susa confusion

Esther 4:8
HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ נִתַּ֨ן בְּשׁוּשָׁ֤ן לְהַשְׁמִידָם֙ נָ֣תַן
NAS: had been issued in Susa for their destruction,
KJV: that was given at Shushan to destroy
INT: which gave Susa their destruction had been issued

Esther 4:16
HEB: הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֣ים בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן וְצ֣וּמוּ עָ֠לַי
NAS: who are found in Susa, and fast
KJV: that are present in Shushan, and fast
INT: the Jews are found Susa and fast and

Esther 8:14
HEB: וְהַדָּ֥ת נִתְּנָ֖ה בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה׃ פ
NAS: was given out at the citadel in Susa.
KJV: was given at Shushan the palace.
INT: and the decree was given Susa the citadel

Esther 8:15
HEB: וְאַרְגָּמָ֑ן וְהָעִ֣יר שׁוּשָׁ֔ן צָהֲלָ֖ה וְשָׂמֵֽחָה׃
NAS: and the city of Susa shouted
KJV: and the city of Shushan rejoiced
INT: and purple and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced

Esther 9:6
HEB: וּבְשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֗ה הָרְג֤וּ
NAS: At the citadel in Susa the Jews killed
KJV: And in Shushan the palace the Jews
INT: Susa the citadel killed

Esther 9:11
HEB: מִסְפַּ֧ר הַֽהֲרוּגִ֛ים בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י
NAS: at the citadel in Susa was reported
KJV: of those that were slain in Shushan the palace
INT: the number were killed Susa the citadel before

Esther 9:12
HEB: לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֗ה בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֡ה הָרְגוּ֩
NAS: at the citadel in Susa. What
KJV: men in Shushan the palace,
INT: Esther to Queen Susa the citadel have killed

Esther 9:13
HEB: לַיְּהוּדִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּשׁוּשָׁ֔ן לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כְּדָ֣ת
NAS: who are in Susa to do
KJV: to the Jews which [are] in Shushan to do
INT: to the Jews who Susa to do to the edict

Esther 9:14
HEB: וַתִּנָּתֵ֥ן דָּ֖ת בְּשׁוּשָׁ֑ן וְאֵ֛ת עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת
NAS: was issued in Susa, and Haman's
KJV: was given at Shushan; and they hanged
INT: was issued and an edict Susa ten sons

Esther 9:15
HEB: ק) אֲשֶׁר־ בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן גַּ֠ם בְּי֣וֹם
NAS: who were in Susa assembled
KJV: For the Jews that [were] in Shushan gathered themselves together
INT: Jew who Susa also day

Esther 9:15
HEB: אֲדָ֔ר וַיַּֽהַרְג֣וּ בְשׁוּשָׁ֔ן שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת
NAS: men in Susa, but they did not lay
KJV: men at Shushan; but on the prey
INT: Adar and killed Susa three hundred

Esther 9:18
HEB: ק) אֲשֶׁר־ בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן נִקְהֲלוּ֙ בִּשְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
NAS: who were in Susa assembled
KJV: But the Jews that [were] at Shushan assembled together
INT: Jew who Susa assembled three

Daniel 8:2
HEB: בִּרְאֹתִ֔י וַאֲנִי֙ בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר
NAS: I was in the citadel of Susa, which
KJV: and it came to pass, when I saw, that I [was] at Shushan [in] the palace,
INT: was looking myself of Susa the citadel which

21 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7800
21 Occurrences


bə·šū·šan — 15 Occ.
šū·šan — 4 Occ.
ū·ḇə·šū·šan — 1 Occ.
ḇə·šū·šān — 1 Occ.

7799
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