אַחְמְתָא (ach.me.ta)
ach.me.ta
Ecbatana
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun achmetha is the Hebrew form of Ecbatana, the ancient capital of Media. It appears only once in the Old Testament, within the decree recorded in Ezra 6:2. The text identifies it as the location where a specific scroll containing royal orders was stored, highlighting its role as a center of imperial administration.
Historically, Ecbatana served as the summer residence for Persian kings after Cyrus the Great captured the city around 550 BC. Its name reflects its status as a key political hub in the region. By mentioning this distant capital, the biblical text underscores the reach of Persian authority over the Jewish community in Judah.
Translators typically retain "Achmetha" or note it as Ecbatana to preserve the specific historical reference. The word itself carries no theological weight beyond identifying a geographical location. It serves as a concrete marker of the political reality under which the temple rebuilding occurred, linking the spiritual restoration of Jerusalem to the broader history of the Persian Empire.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Ecbatana, known here by its Hebrew name Achmetha, was the ancient capital of Media and a summer residence for Persian kings. In Ezra 6:2, it is mentioned as the place where a royal decree was stored in the palace archives. This single reference highlights how the rebuilding of the temple was influenced by imperial politics and administrative records.
While this word does not carry deep theological meaning, it reminds us that God’s work often unfolds through historical events and human institutions. The Persian Empire’s reach extended to Judah, showing that even distant capitals played a role in restoring Jerusalem’s worship. This connection between spiritual renewal and political reality encourages readers to see God’s hand in the broader sweep of history.
Understanding Achmetha helps us appreciate the complexity of biblical narratives. It shows how faith communities navigated foreign rule while maintaining their identity. The mention of this city underscores the tangible ways divine purposes intersect with earthly powers, offering a glimpse into the historical context of temple restoration.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ Ecbatana1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/אַחְמְתָ֗א1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 6:2
A scroll was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, and in it this was written for a record:
This verse identifies Achmetha as the location where the royal decree for rebuilding the temple was stored, linking the spiritual restoration to Persian imperial administration.