Mithredath
Summary
Mithredath was a Persian name meaning 'given by Mithra,' borne by two officials mentioned in the book of Ezra—the treasurer of Cyrus and an opponent of the Jewish restoration.
☩Treasurer of Cyrus
The first Mithredath was the treasurer of King Cyrus of Persia. When Cyrus issued his decree permitting the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, he commissioned Mithredath to restore the sacred vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the house of God. Mithredath counted these vessels out to Sheshbazzar, the Jewish leader, ensuring the proper transfer of these holy objects.
☩Persian Official in Samaria
A second Mithredath was a Persian official stationed in Samaria during the reign of Artaxerxes (possibly Smerdis the Magian). Along with Bishlam, Tabeel, and others, he wrote a letter to the king accusing the Jews of rebellious designs in rebuilding Jerusalem, successfully interrupting the work on the temple for a time.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Mithredath," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Mithredath," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).