Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>]

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/