Mithredath, Associate of Bishlam
A high-ranking official during the Persian period who co-authored a formal letter of complaint to King Artaxerxes against the Jewish people.
Mithredath was a political official or diplomat active during the era of the Jewish return from exile. He is mentioned specifically within the context of the political opposition encountered by the Jewish community as they attempted to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. As one of several associates acting in an official capacity, he represented the regional interests of the Persian administration that viewed the Jewish resurgence with suspicion.
His role is documented in the book of Ezra, which records the administrative friction between the local authorities in the province of Trans-Euphrates and the returning exiles. Mithredath is grouped with other regional leaders like Bishlam and Tabeel, indicating he held a position of enough influence to correspond directly with the Persian monarch, King Artaxerxes. His involvement underscores the complex geopolitical environment of the post-exilic period, where religious efforts were frequently met with bureaucratic and political resistance.
Background and Family
The biblical record provides no specific details regarding the genealogy, tribe, or nationality of Mithredath. His name, however, is of Persian origin, meaning "given by Mithra," which suggests he was either of Persian descent or a localized official assimilated into the Persian administrative structure. He appears during the reign of Artaxerxes, a period characterized by the stabilization of the Persian Empire's western provinces.
Major Life Events
The single recorded event in the life of Mithredath is his participation in a diplomatic protest. According to Ezra 4:7, Mithredath joined Bishlam, Tabeel, and their other associates in drafting a formal letter to King Artaxerxes. The text specifies that the letter was written in Aramaic, the lingua franca of the Persian administration, and subsequently translated for the royal court.
"And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated." (Ezra 4:7, BSB)
The intent of this correspondence, as clarified by the surrounding verses in Ezra 4, was to halt the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls. The opposition claimed that if the city were rebuilt, the Jews would cease paying taxes and eventually rebel against the crown. This bureaucratic maneuver was successful, resulting in a royal decree that stopped the construction until a later time.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Mithredath is described as an "associate" (Hebrew kana') of Bishlam and Tabeel. This term implies a collegial or professional relationship, likely indicating they were fellow government officials in the district of Samaria or the larger province of "Beyond the River" (Trans-Euphrates). There is no record of his interaction with the Jewish leaders Ezra or Nehemiah, though his actions directly impeded their mission.
Spiritual Significance
Mithredath serves as a historical representative of the external opposition faced by the people of God during the restoration of the covenant community. His presence in the text illustrates that the challenges to the reconstruction of the Temple and the city were not merely physical or spiritual, but legal and political. In the broader narrative of Ezra, Mithredath's letter acts as a catalyst for a period of forced cessation in the work of God, testing the faith and perseverance of the returning exiles.
Spiritual Significance
Mithredath's significance lies in his role as a legal antagonist to the Jewish restoration. His inclusion in the biblical record highlights the authenticity of the Ezra account, reflecting the actual administrative procedures and naming conventions of the Persian Empire in the 5th century BC. He represents the systemic obstacles that the returning exiles had to navigate to fulfill their divine mandate. Through the actions of men like Mithredath, the biblical text demonstrates that even when the work of God is hindered by secular authorities, the ultimate sovereignty remains with God, who eventually moved later kings to allow the work to continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Mithredath mean?
The name is Persian in origin, generally translated as 'given by Mithra' or 'gift of Mithra,' referring to a Zoroastrian deity.
Who was King Artaxerxes in relation to Mithredath?
Artaxerxes was the Persian King to whom Mithredath and his associates sent their letter of complaint against the Jewish people.
Was Mithredath a Jew?
No, it is highly unlikely. Given his name and his opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem, he was almost certainly a Persian official or a representative of a rival regional group.
What was the result of the letter Mithredath wrote?
The letter prompted King Artaxerxes to issue a decree halting the reconstruction of Jerusalem, which stopped the work for a significant period.
Connected Figures
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Ezra1
Others Named Mithredath
Mithredath, Treasurer of CyrusEzra 1:8
A high-ranking Persian official who managed the restoration of the sacred temple vessels to the Jewish leaders during the return from exile.