The name Aridatha appears in a concise and rather unsettling context within the pages of the Old Testament. Unlike many figures in the Bible who receive extensive narratives detailing their life, faithfulness, or moral failings, Aridatha’s existence is noted primarily because of his relationship to a prominent antagonist of the Jewish people: Haman.
The Genealogy of Malice
Aridatha was one of the ten sons of Haman, the Agagite, who served as the powerful—and deeply prejudiced—prime minister to King Ahasuerus (often identified as Xerxes I) of the vast Persian Empire. The historical setting is the book of Esther, a profound account of providential protection and deliverance for the Jewish exiles dwelling within the dominion of Persia.
Haman’s hatred was initially sparked by the refusal of Mordecai, a Jew, to bow down to him. This personal offense quickly ballooned into a genocidal plot against all Jews in the empire, an evil design that Haman convinced the king to approve.
The names of Haman’s ten sons are listed in the book of Esther, a seemingly simple enumeration that serves a significant theological and historical purpose. Aridatha’s name is recorded in Esther 9:9 as one of the ten:
“And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,” (KJV).
A Life Defined by Lineage
Aridatha himself is not recorded as having performed any specific action, good or evil, independently of his father’s actions. His identity is wholly subsumed by the fate of his family, which was irrevocably tied to the political and religious conflict instigated by Haman.
The climax of the story of Esther is the dramatic reversal of Haman’s wicked decree. Through the courage and strategic intervention of Queen Esther and Mordecai, Haman was executed on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Following this, the king gave the Jews the authority to defend themselves against their enemies who sought to carry out Haman’s decree.
The final, decisive act of the narrative regarding Haman’s legacy is the execution of his sons, including Aridatha. Esther 9:10 declares:
“The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, they slew; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.” (KJV, emphasis added).
The Historical and Prophetic Significance
The slaying of Haman’s ten sons, and specifically the recording of each name—including Aridatha—was crucial for several reasons:
- Completeness of Victory: It signaled the total and irreversible defeat of the threat embodied by Haman. As long as his direct male heirs lived, they represented a potential focus for future vengeance or a continued threat to the Jewish community.
- Origin of Purim: This event forms the historical foundation for the Jewish festival of Purim. The meticulous listing of the ten sons is central to the reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther) during the holiday, commemorating the Jews’ deliverance from annihilation.
- Providence Displayed: The fate of Aridatha and his brothers serves as a powerful reminder of the justice and providence of God. The very family that sought to wipe out God’s people was itself completely removed from the stage of history, demonstrating that “there is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD” (Proverbs 21:30, KJV).
In summary, Aridatha was a figure whose brief mention in scripture is a poignant reminder that even secondary characters play a role in the grand narrative of God’s interaction with His people. His life, defined entirely by his doomed parentage, is recorded forever as a testament to the ultimate defeat of those who oppose the Divine will.