אֲחַשְׁתָּרָן
𐤀𐤇𐤔𐤕𐤓𐤍
ʼăchashtârân
H327 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
An animal, particularly a hybrid beast of burden, most often identified as a mule, but with some ambiguity in ancient sources. The term refers to a specific valuable equid used for riding or transport, distinct from horse, donkey, or camel.
Semantic Range
mule; possibly camel or another swift, royal beast of burden; elite mount for official use
Root / Etymology
Borrowed from Old Persian, possibly from terms associated with royal or noble riding animals. The exact Iranian/Persian root is debated, but likely pertains to a mule (donkey-horse hybrid) or prized beast of burden. The word does not have transparent Hebrew derivation and is treated as a loanword.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Used exclusively in the context of royal Persian decrees in Esther (Esth 8:10, 8:14), referring to swift mounts for official messengers. While early Hebrew tradition and most translators render it as 'mule', some ancient versions (e.g., LXX, Vulgate) opt for 'camel' or 'horse', reflecting uncertainty about the exact animal referenced. In the Persian imperial setting, these animals would have been elite mounts, often hybrids bred for speed and endurance. The term is not used elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, and there is no evidence it ever referred to native Israelite animals; its usage is partly conditioned by imperial Persian administrative language. English translations vary, sometimes obscuring the Persian context by simply rendering 'mule.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Persian origin; a mule; camel.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
אחשׁתרן (ʾ-ḥ-š-t-r-n) — hybrid equid, royal mount, swift beast of burden
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H327-01 |
הָֽ/אֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים | haachasheteranim | HTd/Aampa |
the royal steeds | the royal hybrid mounts | the royal hybrid mounts | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H327-01 |
Esther 8:10 | הָֽ/אֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים | haachasheteranim | HTd/Aampa |
the royal steeds | the royal hybrid mounts | the royal hybrid mounts |
H327-01 |
Esther 8:14 | הָֽ/אֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים | haachasheteranim | HTd/Aampa |
the swift steeds | the royal hybrid mounts | the royal hybrid mounts |