Topical Encyclopedia Mithradates is a name that appears in the context of the post-exilic period of Israel's history, specifically during the time of the Persian Empire. The name itself is of Persian origin, meaning "gift of Mithra," with Mithra being a deity in the ancient Persian pantheon. Mithradates is mentioned in the Bible in relation to the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.Biblical References: 1. Ezra 1:8 : "Cyrus king of Persia had them brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah." In this passage, Mithredath, a variant of Mithradates, is identified as a treasurer under King Cyrus of Persia. He is responsible for overseeing the return of the sacred vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. This act is significant as it marks the beginning of the restoration of the Jewish community and their religious practices after the Babylonian exile. 2. Ezra 4:7 : "And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic and then translated." Here, Mithredath is listed among those who opposed the rebuilding efforts of the Jewish people. This opposition is part of a broader narrative of resistance faced by the returning exiles as they sought to reestablish their community and religious life in Jerusalem. Historical Context: The name Mithradates reflects the influence of Persian culture and administration during the period of the Achaemenid Empire, which ruled over a vast territory including the land of Israel. The Persian policy of allowing exiled peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples was part of a broader strategy to maintain control over their empire by fostering loyalty among subject peoples. Theological Significance: From a theological perspective, the mention of Mithradates in the biblical narrative underscores the sovereignty of God in using foreign rulers and officials to accomplish His purposes. The return of the exiles and the restoration of the Temple were seen as fulfillment of prophetic promises, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant people. The involvement of Persian officials like Mithradates highlights the interplay between divine providence and human agency in the unfolding of redemptive history. Cultural and Religious Influence: The presence of Persian officials in the biblical narrative also reflects the cultural and religious milieu of the time. The Persian Empire was known for its relatively tolerant approach to the diverse religious practices of its subjects, which allowed for the reestablishment of Jewish worship in Jerusalem. This period laid the groundwork for the development of Second Temple Judaism, which would significantly shape the religious landscape leading up to the New Testament era. In summary, Mithradates, as mentioned in the Bible, serves as a representative of the Persian administration that played a crucial role in the history of Israel during the post-exilic period. His involvement in the return of the exiles and the opposition to the rebuilding efforts provides insight into the complex interactions between the Jewish community and the ruling powers of the time. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia MITHRADATESmith-ra-da'-tez (Codex Alexandrinus Mithradates; Codex Vaticanus Mithridates; the King James Version Mithridates): Library Pagan Shrines and Temples. Thesaurus Mithradates... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MITHRADATES. mith-ra-da'-tez (Codex Alexandrinus Mithradates; Codex Vaticanus Mithridates; the King ... /m/mithradates.htm - 7k Pontus (3 Occurrences) Mithredath (2 Occurrences) Mithnite (1 Occurrence) Crete (7 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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