Shethar is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Esther, specifically in Esther 1:14. He is one of the seven princes of Persia and Media who served under King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I. These princes were considered the king's closest advisors and held significant influence in the Persian Empire.

Biblical Reference:

In the Book of Esther, Shethar is listed among the seven noblemen who had special access to the king and were consulted in matters of law and judgment. The Berean Standard Bible states:

"The closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom." (Esther 1:14)

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Book of Esther is set during the reign of King Ahasuerus, who ruled over a vast empire stretching from India to Cush. The narrative takes place in the royal city of Susa, where the king held a great banquet for his officials and servants. During this time, the Persian Empire was known for its complex administrative structure, with a hierarchy of officials and advisors who played crucial roles in governance.

The mention of Shethar and the other princes highlights the importance of counsel and decision-making in the Persian court. These advisors were not only influential in political matters but also in legal and social issues, as seen in the context of Queen Vashti's refusal to appear before the king, which led to a significant royal decree.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the inclusion of Shethar and the other princes in the narrative underscores the providence of God in the affairs of nations. The Book of Esther, while not explicitly mentioning God, demonstrates His sovereign hand in protecting His people, the Jews, through the unfolding events in the Persian court. The decisions made by these advisors, including Shethar, ultimately set the stage for Esther's rise to queenship and the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's plot.

Role in the Narrative:

Shethar's role, though not detailed beyond his mention as one of the seven princes, is part of the broader tapestry of the account of Esther. The counsel of these princes, including Shethar, reflects the political dynamics and the intricate balance of power within the Persian Empire. Their presence in the narrative serves to illustrate the mechanisms through which God orchestrates His plans, using even the political structures of a foreign empire to achieve His purposes for His chosen people.

In summary, Shethar is a minor yet significant figure within the Book of Esther, representing the influential advisory body of the Persian king. His mention contributes to the understanding of the historical and political context of the narrative, as well as the theological themes of divine providence and protection.Shethar

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Shethar

(Pers. a star), one of the seven princes of Persia and Media. (Esther 1:14) (B.C. 483.)

A star, a prince at the court of Ahasuerus (Esther 1:14). SHETHAR

she'-thar ([shethar]; Codex Vaticanus and Lucian, Sarsathaios; Codex Alexandrinus Sarestheos): One of the "seven princes" at the court of Ahasuerus (Esther 1:14); these princes "sat first in the kingdom" and had the right of entrance to the king's presence at any time, except when he was in the company of one of his wives. (According to Marquart, Fund., 69, Shethar comes from sh-r-sh-th-y with which the Persian siyatis, "joy," is to be compared.) The word has never really been satisfactorily explained; it is presumably Persian.

8369. Shethar -- a prince of Pers.
... 8368, 8369. Shethar. 8370 . a prince of Pers. Transliteration: Shethar
Phonetic Spelling: (shay-thawr') Short Definition: Shethar. ...
/hebrew/8369.htm - 5k

8370. Shethar Bozenay -- a Pers. official
Shethar Bozenay. 8369, 8370. Shethar Bozenay. 8371 . a Pers. official.
Transliteration: Shethar Bozenay Phonetic Spelling: (sheth ...
/hebrew/8370.htm - 6k

Shethar-bozenai (4 Occurrences)
Shethar-bozenai. Shetharbozenai, Shethar-bozenai. She'thar-boz'enai . Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHETHAR-BOZENAI, SHETHAR-BOZNAI. ...
/s/shethar-bozenai.htm - 9k

Shethar (3 Occurrences)
... A star, a prince at the court of Ahasuerus (Esther 1:14). Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. SHETHAR. ... Multi-Version Concordance Shethar (3 Occurrences). ...
/s/shethar.htm - 8k

Shethar-boznai (4 Occurrences)
Shethar-boznai. Shetharboznai, Shethar-boznai. Sheva . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHETHAR-BOZENAI, SHETHAR-BOZNAI. ...
/s/shethar-boznai.htm - 9k

Shetharbozenai (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHETHAR-BOZENAI, SHETHAR-BOZNAI.
she'-thar-boz'-e-ni, she'-thar-boz'-ni, -boz'-na-i, (shethar boznay ...
/s/shetharbozenai.htm - 9k

Shetharboznai (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHETHAR-BOZENAI, SHETHAR-BOZNAI.
she'-thar-boz'-e-ni, she'-thar-boz'-ni, -boz'-na-i, (shethar boznay ...
/s/shetharboznai.htm - 9k

She'thar-boz'enai (4 Occurrences)
She'thar-boz'enai. Shethar-bozenai, She'thar-boz'enai. Shetharboznai .
Multi-Version Concordance She'thar-boz'enai (4 Occurrences). ...
/s/she'thar-boz'enai.htm - 7k

Tat'tenai (4 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River,
and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, and said thus unto them: 'Who gave ...
/t/tat'tenai.htm - 7k

Apharesachites (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and
Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the ...
/a/apharesachites.htm - 7k

Governors (43 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and
Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharesachites, who were beyond the ...
/g/governors.htm - 21k

Sheth (2 Occurrences)

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