Shethar שֵׁתָר
Persian noble in King Ahasuerus's court
Who is Shethar in the Bible?
Shethar was one of seven Persian nobles who held the highest positions in the court of King Ahasuerus during the events recorded in the Book of Esther (Esther 1:14). These nobles had direct access to the king's presence and served as his closest advisors on matters of law and justice. When King Ahasuerus sought counsel regarding Queen Vashti's refusal to obey his command, Shethar and his fellow nobles were consulted, and their advice resulted in Vashti's removal from the throne. This decision set in motion the search for a new queen, which ultimately led to Esther's rise to power. Though Shethar appears only briefly in Scripture, he represents the advisory system of the Persian empire and the role such nobles played in shaping the events that protected the Jewish people.
Biography
Shethar was one of the seven Persian nobles who served in the court of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) during the events described in the Book of Esther. In Est.1.14, he is mentioned along with the other nobles—Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan—as being closest to the king and holding the highest positions in the kingdom. These nobles had access to the king's presence and were consulted for their expertise in law and justice. When King Ahasuerus sought advice regarding Queen Vashti's refusal to appear before him, Shethar and the other nobles were called upon to provide counsel. Their advice led to the king's decree that Vashti be removed from her position and replaced, setting in motion the events that would lead to Esther becoming queen. Shethar's presence among the king's closest advisors indicates his high status and influence within the Persian court.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEsther 1 verse
- Esther 1:14
"His closest advisors 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."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שֵׁתָר |
Shethar
rst 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.
she'-thar-boz'-e-ni, she'-thar-boz'-ni, -boz'-na-i, (shethar boznay, meaning uncertain): The name of a Persian (?) official mentioned with Tattenai in connection with the correspondence with Da