אֵסַר־חַדּוֹן (e.sar-chad.don)
e.sar-chad.don
Esarhaddon
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Esarhaddon refers to an Assyrian king who ruled from 681 to 668 BC, appearing in Scripture as a historical figure rather than a theological concept. He is the son of Sennacherib and brother to Adrammelech and Sharezer, men who assassinated their father while he was worshipping in the temple of Nisroch (2 Kings 19:37). The name itself means "Ashur has given a brother," reflecting the religious devotion to the Assyrian national deity.
His brief mention in the Bible serves as a narrative bridge between the reigns of his father and his successor. While Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem, Esarhaddon inherited the empire during a period of internal turmoil following the regicide. The text notes that his brothers fled to Ararat, indicating the political instability that allowed Esarhaddon to secure the throne.
Although he appears in only three verses, his presence anchors the biblical account in specific geopolitical history. The reference in Ezra 4:2 likely points to a later period or a textual variant involving his successor Ashurbanipal, but the primary historical weight lies in the fulfillment of God’s judgment on Sennacherib through the actions of Esarhaddon’s own family.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Esarhaddon appears in Scripture not as a theological lesson, but as a marker of real history. He was an Assyrian king who took power after his father, Sennacherib, was killed by his own sons. This event is recorded in 2 Kings and Isaiah to show how God’s judgment on the proud king played out through human actions.
His brief mention reminds us that history is not random. Even when empires seem powerful or leaders act with violence, God remains sovereign over the rise and fall of nations. The instability in Assyria allowed Judah to survive another season, showing that God protects His people even in turbulent times.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Esar-3×
- -haddon3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חַדֹּ֥ן2×
- אֵֽסַר\־2×
- חַדֹּן֙1×
- אֵסַ֤ר1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 19:37
As he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Esar Haddon his son reigned in his place.
This verse records the fulfillment of judgment on Sennacherib through his sons, with Esarhaddon succeeding to the throne.
-
Isaiah 37:38
As he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons struck him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Esar Haddon his son reigned in his place.
The parallel account in Isaiah confirms the historical event and emphasizes God’s control over Assyrian leadership changes.
-
Ezra 4:2
they came near to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of fathers’ households, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have been sacrificing to him since the days of Esar Haddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.”
This reference shows how later inhabitants of the land claimed religious continuity with Esarhaddon’s era, highlighting the complex spiritual landscape after exile.