Aridai is a figure whose name is preserved in the Book of Esther, making him a historical marker tied to the events surrounding the attempted annihilation of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus. His entire significance stems from his relationship to Haman, the chief antagonist of the story.
The Son of Haman
Aridai was one of the ten sons of Haman the Agagite, who was the prime minister and chief advisor to King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I). Haman, driven by intense personal hatred for the Jew Mordecai, successfully persuaded the King to issue a decree authorizing the general slaughter of all Jews throughout the empire.
The climax of the Book of Esther is the reversal of this decree, brought about through the courage of Queen Esther. Haman himself was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai, and the Jews were given royal permission to defend themselves against their enemies on the appointed day.
The Slaughter in Shushan
Aridai is explicitly named in the official record of the enemies of the Jews who were slain in the capital city, Shushan. The text specifically lists Haman’s ten sons who were killed, ensuring that the legacy of the enemy was completely extinguished.
“And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, And Par-mashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.” — Esther 9:7-10 (KJV)
Aridai is listed among his nine brothers who met their end in this dramatic confrontation.
Significance of the Listing
The meticulous listing of all ten sons—including Aridai—holds profound significance for the Jewish people and the historical narrative:
- Completeness of Victory: By killing Haman’s ten sons, the threat posed by his specific lineage—the source of the attempted genocide—was completely neutralized. This ensured that no immediate heir or relative could step forward to continue Haman’s destructive agenda.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: The event is the basis for the Jewish festival of Purim, celebrated annually to commemorate the preservation of the Jewish people. The record of Aridai and his brothers is a perpetual testament to God’s providence in turning a decree of death into an opportunity for victory.
- Historical Documentation: The specific inclusion of their names in the Book of Esther emphasizes that these were real figures in a real historical event, providing detailed documentation of the day’s actions.