Original Word: אֲרִיסַי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ariycay
Pronunciation: ah-ree-ts-eye
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-ee-sah'-ee)
KJV: Arisai
Word Origin: [of Persian origin]

1. Arisai, a son of Haman

Of Persian origin; Arisai, a son of Haman -- Arisai.

Arisai is identified as one of the ten sons of Haman, the Agagite who served in the Persian court of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) during the exile of the Jewish people. As a member of Haman’s household, Arisai stands within the lineage of Agag, king of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:8), a people consistently hostile to Israel from the days of the wilderness wanderings (Exodus 17:8-16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19).

Scriptural Occurrence

The name appears once, in Esther 9:9:

“Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha — the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews — they killed, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.”

Historical Setting

Haman had plotted to annihilate the Jews (Esther 3:5-15), but the king’s counter-edict (Esther 8:11-12) allowed the covenant people to defend themselves. On the thirteenth day of Adar, the Jews struck their attackers throughout the provinces. Arisai, alongside his brothers, fell in Susa, illustrating the complete overthrow of Haman’s house (Esther 9:6-10).

Role in the Redemptive Narrative

1. Continuation of the Amalekite Conflict: The deaths of Haman’s sons, including Arisai, signify the ongoing divine judgment on Amalek (Numbers 24:20; 1 Samuel 15:2-3). The outcome in Esther mirrors the prophetic call to blot out Amalek’s remembrance, demonstrating the eventual triumph of covenant faithfulness over persistent enmity.
2. Preservation of the Messianic Line: By thwarting Haman’s genocide, God safeguarded the Jewish nation through which the Messiah would come (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:16). Arisai’s demise is therefore indirectly linked to the larger account of salvation history.
3. Reversal Theme: The book of Esther repeatedly highlights “the reversal of fortune” (Esther 9:1). Arisai’s fall is part of the dramatic inversion whereby the intended victims are delivered while their enemies are destroyed (Psalm 7:15-16).

Literary Features and Symbolism

• Catalog of Names: Listing the ten sons functions as a legal record, underscoring the finality of judgment on Haman’s lineage.
• No Plunder Taken: Esther 9:10 specifies that the Jews “did not lay a hand on the plunder,” highlighting moral restraint and distinguishing their self-defense from personal vengeance (cf. 2 Chronicles 20:25-26).
• Inclusion in Purim: The recitation of Haman’s sons’ names, including Arisai, remains part of the Purim liturgy, perpetuating the memory of divine deliverance.

Theological and Practical Insights

• Divine Justice: The fate of Arisai testifies that unrepentant hostility toward God’s people ultimately meets righteous judgment (Proverbs 11:8; Nahum 1:2).
• Covenant Faithfulness: God’s unseen hand (Esther notably omits His explicit name) nonetheless orchestrates events to protect His promises (Romans 11:29).
• Encouragement amid Opposition: Believers facing persecution can draw courage from Esther’s narrative, knowing that the Lord vindicates His own in His timing (Romans 8:31-39).

Applications for Ministry

• Teaching on Spiritual Warfare: Use Arisai’s account to illustrate the reality of opposition against God’s purposes and the believer’s call to rely on divine provision rather than personal retaliation (Ephesians 6:10-18).
• Discipleship and Integrity: Highlight the Jews’ refusal to plunder as an example of ethical conduct in victory, urging Christians to act with integrity when God grants success (1 Peter 2:12).
• Celebrating Deliverance: Incorporate the themes of Purim into worship or family devotions to remember and rejoice in the LORD’s faithful preservation of His people (Psalm 145:4-7).

Summary

Though mentioned only once, Arisai’s appearance marks a crucial moment in biblical history. His death, alongside his brothers, seals the downfall of a perennial enemy and affirms God’s sovereign guardianship over the covenant community, encouraging believers of every age to trust in the Lord’s just and timely deliverance.