When the Jews defended
themselves against Persian enemies who were obeying an edict to
destroy them, the sons of Haman were some of those who opposed the
Jews and lost. We have already looked at six of those son's names -
Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, and Aridatha,
and in chapter nine and verse nine we consider the final four names
of the boys which are listed. We read:
The seventh name of the sons
of Haman was “Parmashta” which means “superior”. As
names go this name is probably one of the best for the sons of Haman
listed. We might imagine his mother saying, “Superior, come do
this” or “Superior go do that”. Perhaps this name was one that
provoked his brothers to envy since no matter what he did he was
always considered “superior”. Nonetheless, “Parmashta”
was not superior to the Jews who exterminated him.
The eighth and next name
listed is “Arisai”. This name means “lion of my banners”
which comes from a word that means “like a lion”. For whatever
reason Haman and his wife named this child with the inspiration of a
lion involved. We read in the first epistle of Peter in chapter five
and verse eight:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:
No doubt
“Arisai” was one of those who thought he might be able to
devour the Jews like a roaring lion but was easily tamed and
eliminated by those who opposed him.
The
ninth name listed is “Aridai”, and this name's meaning is
very close to “Arisai”. It means, “the lion is enough”.
Perhaps by this time Haman and his wife felt they had enough sons, so
they thought “the lion is enough” completed their brood.
Unfortunately for “Aridai” he too was not enough to combat
the Jews when the uprising against them took place.
Finally
we read the tenth name, “Vajezatha” which means "strong
as the wind". Maybe early indications of this son was that he
was very strong and would be able to withstand any foe who rose up
against him. Although his name may have seem to indicate his
strength, when the battle ensued against the Jews, he found himself
nothing more than a little breeze. The Jews destroyed he and his
brothers with the power of God's force behind them.
So
what's in a name? For we who live today there may or may not be
meanings attached, however there is significance to every person who
lives. The author of Esther (more than likely Mordecai) thought it
important to mention every name of these ten sons of Haman.
Regardless of the intention for writing their names, these boys are
mentioned in the Bible. The questions for us to consider are “where
are they now?” “How did opposing the Jews work out for them?”
“If they had it to do all over again, would they have made the same
choices?” Perhaps as we ponder these questions we will examine our
own lives and see how we align with the Almighty God and His people.
It would behoove us to think on these things well before we find
ourselves in the very places that these ten sons are today.
Next
time we will see what the Jews did to Haman's ten sons, so read
ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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