Hammedatha הַמְּדָתָא
The father of Haman, the enemy of the Jews.
Biography
Hammedatha is mentioned in the book of Esther as the father of Haman, the primary antagonist who plotted to destroy the Jews in the Persian Empire. He is identified as an Agagite (Est.3.1), which suggests that he may have been a descendant of Agag, the Amalekite king who was defeated by King Saul (1 Samuel 15). Hammedatha's son, Haman, rose to a high position in the court of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) and used his influence to persuade the king to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all Jews in the empire (Est.3.8-15). However, Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai ultimately thwarted Haman's plans, leading to his downfall and execution, along with his ten sons (Esther 7-9). The mention of Hammedatha in the book of Esther serves to provide background information on Haman's lineage and to emphasize the long-standing enmity between the Amalekites and the Israelites.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEsther 5 verses Study available
- Esther 3:1
"After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him."
Study Esther → - Esther 3:10
"The king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy."
Study Esther → - Esther 8:5
"She said, “If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right to the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who..."
Study Esther → - Esther 9:10
"the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jews’ enemy, but they didn’t lay their hand on the plunder."
Study Esther → - Esther 9:24
"because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast “Pur”, that is the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;"
Study Esther →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | הַמְּדָתָא | H4099 |