Parshandatha

At a Glance

A minor biblical person named in Esther as one of Haman’s sons.

Key Points

• Named in Esther 9
• one of Haman’s ten sons
• no personal details are given beyond the biblical list
• his mention belongs to the account of the downfall of Haman’s house.

Description

Parshandatha is named in the book of Esther as one of the ten sons of Haman the Agagite (Esth. 9:7). The text does not provide any individual biography, role, or later history for him. His significance is literary and historical within Esther’s account: he belongs to the household of the empire official whose plot to destroy the Jews was reversed by God’s providence. Because Scripture mentions him only briefly, dictionary treatment should stay close to the text and avoid speculation.

Biblical Context

Esther 9 records the Jews’ defense and victory after Haman’s plan to destroy them was defeated. In that context, the ten sons of Haman are named, and Parshandatha appears in the list (Esth. 9:6-10).

Historical Context

The name belongs to the Persian-period setting of Esther, when Jews lived under the authority of the Persian Empire. The book presents the events as part of the historical reversal of Haman’s anti-Jewish scheme.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In the Jewish reading of Esther, the naming of Haman’s sons underscores the completeness of Haman’s downfall and the deliverance of the Jewish people. The text itself, however, gives no further explanation of Parshandatha as an individual.

Primary Key Texts

• Esther 9:7

Secondary Key Texts

• Esther 9:6-10

Original Language Note

The name is transliterated from the Hebrew text of Esther; it is a proper name whose exact meaning is not certain from the biblical context alone.

Theological Significance

Parshandatha has no independent doctrinal significance, but his mention belongs to the larger theological theme of Esther: God’s providential preservation of his people and the reversal of evil plans.

Philosophical Explanation

The entry illustrates how Scripture can preserve even minor names within a larger redemptive-historical account, showing that seemingly small details still belong to the biblical record.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not infer more about Parshandatha than the text states. Scripture identifies him only as one of Haman’s sons; no additional biography is given.

Major Views

Not applicable as a matter of doctrine or interpretation. The only safe reading is the plain biblical identification in Esther.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry should not be expanded into speculative genealogy, meaning-making, or typology beyond what Esther states.

Practical Significance

Parshandatha’s mention serves the reader by highlighting the completeness of Haman’s defeat and the reliability of God’s providential care over his covenant people.

Related Entries

• Haman
• Esther
• Purim
• Haman’s sons

See Also

• Esther 9
• Persian Empire
• Providence