Original Word: מִתְרְדָת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Mithrdath
Pronunciation: mith-reh-DATH
Phonetic Spelling: (mith-red-awth')
KJV: Mithredath
NASB: Mithredath
Word Origin: [of Persian origin]

1. Mithredath, the name of two Persians

Mithredath

Of Persian origin; Mithredath, the name of two Persians -- Mithredath.

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
two Persians
NASB Translation
Mithredath (2).

מִתְרְדָת proper name, masculine name of two Persians;

1 Cyrus' time Ezra 1:8.

2 Artaxerxes' time Ezra 4:7. — ᵐ5 Μιθρα[ι]δατης in both.

מַתַּת, מַתַּתָּה, מַתִּתְיָה(וּׅ see נתן.

Identity and Historical Setting

Mithredath appears within the post-exilic narrative when Persian monarchs were reshaping the ancient Near East. The name betrays Persian roots, reflecting a court official whose career intersected with returning Judean exiles. His presence highlights the providential interplay between imperial administrators and the covenant community during the early Second Temple era.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Ezra 1:8 presents Mithredath as “the treasurer,” the official through whom “King Cyrus of Persia had [the temple articles] brought out… who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah”.
2. Ezra 4:7 lists him among Persian officials who, decades later, signed an accusatory letter aimed at halting Jerusalem’s reconstruction.

Role in the Restoration Era

Treasurer under Cyrus: In Ezra 1, Mithredath oversees the release of sacred vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Solomon’s Temple. Cyrus’ edict demanded exact accounting; the impartial Persian treasurer certifies the transfer, underscoring God’s sovereignty in securing the temple’s restoration through even Gentile bureaucracy.

Signatory under Artaxerxes: By the reign of Artaxerxes, the same or another official of identical name appends his signature to a complaint crafted by regional opponents. Whether the name denotes a long-lived bureaucrat or a successor, it shows that government officers could alternately facilitate and frustrate God’s people, yet ultimately cannot overturn divine purposes (Isaiah 14:27).

Spiritual and Ministry Insights

Stewardship and Accountability: Mithredath’s precise counting (Ezra 1:8) illustrates faithful stewardship—a principle echoed in Luke 16:10. Leaders in Christ’s church must ensure transparent handling of resources dedicated to worship and mission.

Changing Human Allegiances versus Unchanging Divine Plan: The same name surfaces both aiding and opposing the Jews. Believers should neither idolize nor demonize civil authorities but recognize that “the king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the Lord” (Proverbs 21:1).

Perseverance Amid Bureaucratic Opposition: Mithredath’s later role in obstruction did not prevent the eventual completion of the temple (Ezra 6). Modern ministry likewise presses on despite procedural delays or antagonistic rulings, trusting the Lord of history.

Intertextual Links and Later References

The treasurer’s meticulous inventory parallels Moses and Eleazar weighing captured articles (Numbers 31:48-54) and Hezekiah’s fateful display of treasures (2 Kings 20:13). Such echoes invite reflection on how God’s people manage material blessings—either to honor Him or, when mishandled, to invite future loss.

The adversarial letter in Ezra 4 anticipates New Testament warnings about false accusations (1 Peter 2:12) and governmental pressure (Acts 4:18-20), reinforcing the consistent biblical theme of righteous endurance.

Summary

Mithredath represents the dual nature of secular authority in God’s redemptive storyline—a channel of provision and a potential instrument of opposition. His appearances encourage careful stewardship, realistic engagement with political systems, and steadfast confidence that the Lord unfailingly advances His covenant plan.

מִתְרְדָ֣ת מִתְרְדָ֤ת מתרדת miṯ·rə·ḏāṯ mitreDat miṯrəḏāṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts