Original Word: אֲרִידָתָא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ariydatha'
Pronunciation: ah-ree-daw-thaw'
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-ee-daw-thaw')
KJV: Aridatha
Word Origin: [of Persian origin]

1. Aridatha, a son of Haman

Aridatha

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

אֲרִידָ֑תָא proper name, masculine a son of Haman Esther 9:8 (Persian, perhaps= Hari-dâta, given by Hari, see ib., but ᵐ5 Φαραδαθα).

Name and Meaning

Aridatha appears twice in Scripture as a personal name associated with two very different settings. Although the etymology is uncertain, the placement of the name in both contexts underscores the breadth of Old Testament history—from the rise of David’s kingdom to the post-exilic Persian era.

Occurrences in Scripture

• 1 Chronicles 12:9
• Esther 9:8

Historical Setting in 1 Chronicles 12:9

In the Chronicler’s roster of mighty men who rallied to David at Ziklag, Aridatha stands among the Gadite warriors whose “faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles on the mountains” (1 Chronicles 12:8). His inclusion testifies to the Spirit-led consolidation of all Israel around the Lord’s chosen king. The Gadites’ valor signaled God’s providence in transferring national allegiance from Saul to David. Aridatha thus shares in the heritage of covenant loyalty that helped establish the united monarchy.

Historical Setting in Esther 9:8

Centuries later, a bearer of the same name reappears as the sixth of Haman’s ten sons. After the Jews had gained mastery over their enemies, “they also put to death … Aridatha” (Esther 9:6–10). His demise exemplifies divine retribution: the house that plotted Israel’s annihilation is itself erased. The juxtaposition of Aridatha the warrior who advances Israel’s cause and Aridatha the conspirator’s son who falls under judgment highlights the moral polarity of covenant blessing versus covenant curse.

Theological Themes

Retributive Justice

Aridatha’s fate in Esther underscores Proverbs 11:5: “The wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.” The name becomes a marker of the principle that those who set themselves against God’s people cannot escape His decree.

Covenant Preservation

Just as the Gadites’ loyalty strengthened David’s rule, the elimination of Haman’s lineage preserved the post-exilic remnant. In both narratives the Lord safeguards redemptive history—first by securing the throne from which the Messiah would arise and later by preventing the extermination of the people through whom the Messiah would come.

Sovereignty Over Nations

Aridatha’s appearances span the transition from the tribal period to imperial Persia, reminding readers that Israel’s God commands every epoch. Whether molding Gadite warriors or turning the tables in Susa, He advances His purposes through individuals whose names may surface only briefly.

Ministry Significance

Encouragement for Faithful Service

Believers serving in obscurity can find encouragement in Aridatha the Gadite. Although little else is known, his recorded loyalty links him to the great works God accomplished through David.

Warning Against Pride and Opposition

Aridatha the son of Haman warns that status, power, and lineage offer no refuge from divine justice. Ministry leaders are reminded to walk humbly, lest they share in the downfall of those who oppose God’s plan.

Confidence in God’s Unfolding Plan

The dual usage of one name in two disparate eras illustrates a single, coherent storyline orchestrated by God. This continuity undergirds confidence that present-day believers likewise occupy a purposeful place in His unfolding redemption.

Key Cross-References

Genesis 12:3 – God’s promise to bless those who bless Abraham’s seed and curse those who curse them.

Psalm 2:1-6 – The futility of raging against the Lord’s anointed.

Proverbs 11:8 – “The righteous are delivered from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead.”

Acts 13:22-23 – God’s choice of David and the promise of a Savior from his line, showing how the Chronicles narrative feeds into New Testament fulfillment.

Summary

Aridatha’s brief biblical footprint bridges triumph and judgment, loyalty and rebellion. Taken together, his two mentions affirm that the Lord both upholds His servants and brings to nothing the designs of the wicked, ensuring that His covenant purposes stand from David to the days of Persia—and forever.

אֲרִידָֽתָא׃ אַרְיֵה֙ ארידתא׃ אריה ’ă·rî·ḏā·ṯā ’ar·yêh ’ărîḏāṯā ’aryêh ariData arYehInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts