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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] Meaning of Ahasuerus and Xerxes

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  • From: Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>
  • To: "Sesamo m." <sesamox AT hotmail.com>
  • Cc: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Meaning of Ahasuerus and Xerxes
  • Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 07:10:02 -0800

On 15/12/2003 06:46, Sesamo m. wrote:

Origin and meaning of the name Aharuerus, according to Strong's Hebrew Dictionary:

'Achashverowsh, akh-ash-vay-rosh' or (shortened) pAchashrosh {akh- ash-rosh'} (Esth. 10:1); of Persian origin; Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a Persian king:--Ahasuerus.

Two questions related to this:
1. Is there any extra-biblical evidence of this title applied to Persian kings?
2. What is the meaning of the name Xerxes?

According to BDB (1906), this is a name, not a title, corresponding to Persian Khshayarsha = mighty + eye or man, with an attested Aramaic form X$Y)R$ ($ here being an unpointed shin). Xerxes is the Greek form of this name, as found in many writers including Herodotus.

--
Peter Kirk
peter AT qaya.org (personal)
peterkirk AT qaya.org (work)
http://www.qaya.org/






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