Aman
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Topical Encyclopedia
Aman is a figure mentioned in the deuterocanonical additions to the Book of Esther, specifically in the Greek Septuagint version. He is more commonly known as Haman in the Hebrew Masoretic Text. The account of Aman is primarily found in the Book of Esther, where he serves as the main antagonist against the Jewish people during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) of Persia.

Background and Role in the Book of Esther

Aman, identified as the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, is introduced as a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire, holding the position of vizier or prime minister. His lineage as an Agagite suggests a connection to the Amalekites, a longstanding enemy of Israel, which adds a historical and theological dimension to his enmity with the Jews.

In the narrative, Aman becomes incensed when Mordecai, a Jew, refuses to bow down to him. This personal slight escalates into a plot to annihilate all the Jews in the Persian Empire. Aman manipulates King Ahasuerus into issuing a decree for the destruction of the Jewish people, casting lots (purim) to determine the date of their execution (Esther 3:5-7).

The Downfall of Aman

Aman's plot is ultimately thwarted by Queen Esther, who reveals her Jewish identity to the king and pleads for her people. In a dramatic turn of events, the king orders that Aman be hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai (Esther 7:9-10). This reversal of fortune is a pivotal moment in the narrative, showcasing the providence of God in protecting His chosen people.

Theological Significance

Aman's account is often interpreted as a demonstration of divine justice and the protection of God's covenant people. His downfall serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that those who plot evil against God's people will ultimately face judgment. The celebration of Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from Aman's plot, highlighting themes of survival, faith, and divine intervention.

Cultural and Historical Context

The account of Aman is set in the broader context of the Persian Empire, a period marked by the Jewish diaspora and the challenges of maintaining Jewish identity in a foreign land. The historical accuracy of the Book of Esther has been debated, but its theological and moral lessons remain significant within the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Legacy

Aman's legacy is one of infamy, symbolizing the archetypal enemy of the Jewish people. His account is a cautionary tale about pride, hatred, and the consequences of opposing God's will. The narrative of Aman and the subsequent celebration of Purim continue to be an integral part of Jewish cultural and religious life, serving as a testament to the enduring faith and resilience of the Jewish community.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Aman

mother; fear of them

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Aman

[HAMAN] (Esther 10:7; 12:6; 13:3,12; 14:17; 16:10,17)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AMAN

a'-man (Aman; Codex Vaticanus reads Adam): Tobit 14:10; Additions to Esther 12:6; 16:10, 17, probably in each case for Haman, the arch-enemy of the Jews in the canonical Book of Esther (compare Esther 3:1 with Additions to Esther 12:6). In Additions to Esther (16:10) Aman is represented as a Macedonian, in all other points corresponding to the Haman of the Book of Esther.

Greek
3497. Neeman -- Naaman.
... Naaman. Of Hebrew origin (Na'aman); Neeman (ie Naaman), a Syrian -- Naaman. see
HEBREW Na'aman. (naiman) -- 1 Occurrence. 3496, 3497. Neeman. 3498 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3497.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
541. aman -- turn to the right
... 540, 541. aman. 542 . turn to the right. Transliteration: aman Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-man') Short Definition: turn. ... See 'aman. see HEBREW yamiyn. ...
/hebrew/541.htm - 6k

540. aman -- to trust
... aman. 541 . to trust. Transliteration: aman Phonetic Spelling: (am-an') Short
Definition: faithful. ... (Aramaic) corresponding to 'aman -- believe, faithful, sure ...
/hebrew/540.htm - 6k

539. aman -- to confirm, support
... 538, 539. aman. 540 . to confirm, support. Transliteration: aman Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-man') Short Definition: believe. ... see HEBREW 'aman. 538, 539. ...
/hebrew/539.htm - 6k

5283. Naaman -- a descendant of Benjamin, also an Aramean (Syrian) ...
... Naaman. The same as na'aman; Naaman, the name of an Israelite and of a Damascene --
Naaman. see HEBREW na'aman. 5282, 5283. Naaman. 5284 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/5283.htm - 6k

543. amen -- verily, truly
... Word Origin from aman Definition verily, truly NASB Word Usage Amen (28), truth
(2). Amen, so be it, truth. ... see HEBREW 'aman. 542, 543. amen. 544 . ...
/hebrew/543.htm - 6k

529. emun -- faithfulness
... Word Origin from aman Definition faithfulness NASB Word Usage faithful (2),
faithfulness (1), trustworthy (2). faithful, truth. ... see HEBREW 'aman. 528, 529. ...
/hebrew/529.htm - 6k

542. omman -- a masterworkman, artist
... Word Origin from aman Definition a masterworkman, artist NASB Word Usage artist
(1). ... From 'aman (in the sense of training); an expert -- cunning workman. ...
/hebrew/542.htm - 6k

5280. Naami -- descendant of Naaman
... Naamites. Patronymic from Na'aman; a Naamanite, or descendant of Naaman (collectively)
-- Naamites. see HEBREW Na'aman. 5279b, 5280. Naami. 5281 . ...
/hebrew/5280.htm - 6k

544. omen -- faithfulness
... Word Origin from aman Definition faithfulness NASB Word Usage perfect faithfulness
(1). truth. From 'aman; verity -- truth. see HEBREW 'aman. 543, 544. ...
/hebrew/544.htm - 6k

1968. Heman -- an Israelite name
... Word Origin from aman Definition an Isr. name NASB Word Usage Heman (16). ... Probably
from 'aman; faithful; Heman, the name of at least two Israelites -- Heman. ...
/hebrew/1968.htm - 6k

Library

Chapter xiv.
... The word probably comes from the Chaldee and through the Hebrew word aman, "what
is trusted in." (See Thayer, Lexicon.). [376] John 12:31 and xiv. 30. ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xiv 2.htm

Whether Adoration is an Act of Latria or Religion?
... reverence due to an excellent creature that Nathan adored David; while it was the
reverence due to God with which Mardochai refused to adore Aman fearing "lest ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether adoration is an act.htm

Chapter xv
... Scriptures. He'em??n, Hifil of 'aman, "to confirm" and "support," means
"trust," "believe," implying fiducia rather than assensus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xv.htm

On the Psalms. I.
... And then by and by, allocating the whole tribe of the Levites to the duty, he appointed
four leaders of the choirs, viz., Asaph, Aman (Heman), Ethan, and ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on the psalms i.htm

The Gods of Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 1. <. ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Thesaurus
Aman (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AMAN. ... Multi-Version Concordance Aman (1
Occurrence). Joshua 15:26 Aman, and Shema, and Moladah, (WBS). ...
/a/aman.htm - 7k

Na'aman (15 Occurrences)
Na'aman. Naaman, Na'aman. Naaman's . Multi-Version Concordance
Na'aman (15 Occurrences). Luke 4:27 There were many lepers ...
/n/na'aman.htm - 10k

Na'aman's (1 Occurrence)
Na'aman's. Naaman's, Na'aman's. Naamathite . Multi-Version Concordance
Na'aman's (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 5:2 The Syrians ...
/n/na'aman's.htm - 6k

Nasbas
... See ACHIACHARUS; AMAN. Codex Sinaiticus reads "Achiacharus and Nabad his brother's
sons," which is corrected by another hand to "brother's son" (exadelphos). ...
/n/nasbas.htm - 7k

Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... na'-a-man (na`aman, "pleasantness"; Septuagint; Codices Vaticanus and Alexandrinus
Naiman; so Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek in the New Testament ...
/n/naaman.htm - 15k

Faithfulness (91 Occurrences)
... These words are ne'eman, the Niphal participle of the verb 'aman used as an
adjective-"faithful"-and the nouns 'emeth and 'emunah-"faithfulness." The verbal ...
/f/faithfulness.htm - 58k

Faithful (136 Occurrences)
... These words are ne'eman, the Niphal participle of the verb 'aman used as an
adjective-"faithful"-and the nouns 'emeth and 'emunah-"faithfulness." The verbal ...
/f/faithful.htm - 69k

Naamathite (4 Occurrences)

/n/naamathite.htm - 8k

Tobit
... Sennacherib. Being childless he adopted a boy Nadan (called "Aman" in 14:10)
and spared no expense or pains to establish him well in life. ...
/t/tobit.htm - 34k

Anaharath (1 Occurrence)
... Sennacherib. Being childless he adopted a boy Nadan (called "Aman" in 14:10)
and spared no expense or pains to establish him well in life. ...
/a/anaharath.htm - 87k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Amam: Within the District Assigned to Simeon
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