Artaxerxes
Artaxerxes in the Bible — King of Persia (EZR 4:7). Referenced in 5 scripture passages.
Name meaning: “the silence of light; fervent to spoil”
Profile
- Gender
- male
- Scripture References
- 5 references
- Known Names
- 5 names
Biography
Artaxerxes was a male king of Persia, as identified in Ezra 4:7. The biblical record highlights his role as a ruler without providing additional personal or tribal details. His position as king places him within the broader historical context of Persian governance during the post-exilic period.
Names & Titles
The name 'Artaxerxes' is presented as a proper name without a specific meaning given in the biblical text. He is also referred to by several titles including 'King of Persia' (Ezra 4:7), 'King Artaxerxes' (Ezra 4:8), 'king of kings' (Ezra 7:12), and 'King of Babylon' (Ezra 13:6), indicating his supreme authority over multiple regions within the Persian Empire.
Family
Scripture does not record family relationships for Artaxerxes beyond his royal status as king of Persia. No additional familial connections are documented in the provided information.
Significance
Artaxerxes is significant in the biblical narrative as a Persian monarch who exercised authority during the time of the Jewish return from exile. His titles reflect his dominion and political power, which had implications for the restoration efforts of God's people. As king of kings, his reign provided the political framework within which the Jewish community sought to rebuild according to divine purposes.
Names & Labels (5)
- Hebrew
- אַרְתַּחְשַׁסְתְּא
- Transliteration
- arətachəshastə
- Meaning
- Artaxerxes
- Greek
- Αρθασασθα
- Reference
- EZR 4:7
- Strong's
- H783
- Hebrew
- מֶלֶךְ פָּרַס
- Transliteration
- melek paras
- Meaning
- king [of] Persia
- Greek
- βασιλέως Περσῶν
- Reference
- EZR 4:7
- Strong's
- H4428, H6539
- Hebrew
- אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׂתְּא מַלְכָּ
- Transliteration
- arətachəshasətə melekh
- Meaning
- king Artaxerxes
- Greek
- Αρθασασθα βασιλεῖ
- Reference
- EZR 4:8
- Strong's
- H4428, H783
- Hebrew
- מֶלֶךְ מַלְכַיָּא
- Transliteration
- melek maləkhaya
- Meaning
- king [of] kings
- Greek
- βασιλεὺς βασιλέων
- Reference
- EZR 7:12
- Strong's
- H4330, H4330
- Hebrew
- מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֛ל
- Transliteration
- melek bavel
- Meaning
- king of Babel
- Greek
- βασιλεὺς Βαβυλῶνος
- Reference
- EZR 13:6
- Strong's
- H4428, H894
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Artaxerxes in the Bible?
Artaxerxes was a male king of Persia, as identified in Ezra 4:7. The biblical record highlights his role as a ruler without providing additional personal or tribal details. His position as king places him within the broader historical context of Persian governance during the post-exilic period.
What does the name Artaxerxes mean?
The name Artaxerxes means “the silence of light; fervent to spoil” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.