פַּרְמַשְׁתָּא (par.mash.ta)
par.mash.ta
Parmashta
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 name Parmashta appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded as one of the ten sons of Haman in Esther 9:9. The sources identify its meaning as "superior," a title that stands in stark contrast to the fate awaiting him and his brothers in the narrative.
Its sole occurrence anchors the genealogical list of Haman’s descendants, who are executed by the Jews on the thirteenth day of Adar. By naming Parmashta specifically among the ten sons killed, the text emphasizes the completeness of Haman’s lineage being cut off, fulfilling the threat he had originally posed to the Jewish people.
As a proper noun with no other biblical usage, Parmashta serves primarily as a marker of historical specificity within the Esther narrative. The name highlights the personal nature of the conflict, moving from the abstract political struggle to the concrete elimination of Haman’s family line.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Parmashta appears in a moment of high tension within the book of Esther. It is listed among the ten sons of Haman who were executed on the thirteenth day of Adar. This brief mention serves as a concrete marker of the narrative's climax, where the threat against the Jewish people is decisively ended.
While the name itself suggests superiority or high status, its context highlights the fragility of human power. The text does not dwell on the individuals but uses their names to show that Haman’s lineage was completely cut off. This completeness offers a sense of finality and justice within the story, assuring readers that evil plans do not have the last word.
For believers today, this passage reminds us that God’s providence works through history, even in moments of violence and conflict. It encourages trust in divine justice when facing overwhelming odds. The specific naming of these individuals underscores the seriousness of the threat they posed and the thoroughness of their removal.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Parmashta1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פַּרְמַ֙שְׁתָּא֙1×
Key Verses
-
Esther 9:9
Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha,
This verse lists Parmashta among the ten sons of Haman, emphasizing the completeness of the destruction of his lineage.