מֶ֫רֶס (me.res)
me.res
Meres
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun meres refers to a specific Persian nobleman mentioned only once in the Old Testament, at Esther 1:14. The lexicons identify him as one of the seven chief counsellors who attended King Ahasuerus. His name is interpreted to mean "lofty," a detail that aligns with his high status within the royal court.
Although the word itself does not carry complex theological weight or appear in poetic literature, its singular occurrence provides a concrete historical anchor for the narrative of Esther. It highlights the presence of Persian officials who played a role in the events surrounding the king’s decision-making process. The term serves as a precise identifier for this individual among the seven advisors.
Translators consistently render meres as a proper name, preserving its function as a unique label rather than a descriptive title. This usage underscores the historical specificity of the Book of Esther, where real political figures are named alongside the central characters. The entry remains a straightforward record of identity within the royal administration.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read the Book of Esther, it is easy to focus solely on the dramatic actions of Mordecai and Esther. Yet the text takes care to name specific individuals like Meres, one of the seven princes who stood before King Ahasuerus. This level of detail reminds us that God’s providence works through real people in real historical settings, not just in abstract spiritual concepts.
Even though Meres appears only once and is not a central character, his inclusion shows that every person in the royal court was part of a larger story. For believers today, this offers comfort: no one is outside the scope of God’s awareness. The mundane details of history are preserved because they matter to the unfolding of His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Meres1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֶ֥רֶס1×
Key Verses
-
Esther 1:14
and next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat first in the kingdom),
This verse identifies Meres as one of the seven chief counsellors who had direct access to the king, establishing his high political status within the Persian court.