שֵׁתָר (she.tar)
she.tar
Shethar
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 Shethar refers to a single individual mentioned in the Book of Esther, specifically identified as one of the seven princes of Persia and Media who stood before King Ahasuerus (Esther 1:14). The sources note that his name is etymologically linked to the meaning "a star," though the text itself does not elaborate on any personal characteristics or actions beyond his presence at court.
As a proper noun, Shethar appears only once in the Hebrew Bible. His inclusion highlights the historical setting of the Persian empire, where royal advisors held significant influence over the king’s decisions. The brevity of the reference serves to ground the narrative in its specific political context rather than to develop a character arc.
While the name carries a celestial connotation, the biblical record does not assign any symbolic weight to Shethar himself. He functions primarily as a marker of the royal council’s structure, illustrating the complex hierarchy that shaped the events leading to Esther’s intervention. His solitary mention underscores the vastness of the empire’s administration against which the smaller community of Jews navigated their survival.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shethar appears only once in Scripture, listed among the seven high-ranking advisors to King Ahasuerus in Esther 1:14. While we do not know his personal story or inner thoughts, his presence reminds us that God’s plans unfold within real historical structures. The Persian court was a complex web of power and influence, yet even in such a vast empire, the narrative focuses on ordinary people like Esther who step forward when it matters most.
When we read about royal councils and political maneuvering, it can feel distant from our daily lives. Yet this brief mention grounds the biblical story in reality. It shows that God works through history, using even unnamed figures to set the stage for deliverance. We are invited to trust that God sees us and guides events, whether we are in positions of power or standing quietly in the background.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shethar1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֵׁתָר֙1×
Key Verses
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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 lists Shethar as one of the seven princes who advised the king, establishing the political backdrop for Esther’s coming intervention.