Lexical Definition
זֶרֶשׁ Zeresh (zeh'-resh) Zeresh N:N-F-P
of Persian origin
Zeresh.
- § Zeresh = "gold"
- Zeresh, Haman's wife
1) the wife of Haman, the Agagite
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| לְזֶ֤רֶשׁ | to Zeresh | Esth.6.13 |
| זֶ֨רֶשׁ | Zeresh | Esth.5.14 |
| זֶ֥רֶשׁ | Zeresh | Esth.5.10 |
| וְזֶ֣רֶשׁ | and Zeresh | Esth.6.13 |
| Ζωσάραν | Zeresh | LXX.Esth.5.10 |
| Ζωσάρα | Zeresh | LXX.Esth.5.14 |
| to Zeresh | LXX.Esth.6.13 |
Extended Information
- A woman living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Est.5.10 married to Haman (הָמָן)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
זֶ֫רֶשׁ proper name, feminine wife of Haman Esth 5:10; Esth 5:14; Esth 6:13 (twice in verse) (according to OppEsth. 25 = Persian zaris, Zend zairis, la dorée, compare 
aurum ductile, Vullii. 128 b; JenVOJ, 1892, 64 compare Elamite goddess Kiriša).
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Esther | 5:10 · 5:14 · 6:13 |
Profile
Female • Wife of Haman, enemy of the Jews
Woman living at the time of Exile and Return
Zeresh, the wife of Haman, advised him to have Mordecai hanged on a gallows (Est.5.10,14; 6.13,13).
- A woman living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Est.5.10;
- only referred to as Zeresh זֶרֶשׁ;
- wife of Haman הָמָן;
- mother of Vaizatha וַיְזָתָא, Parshandatha פַּרְשַׁנְדָּתָא, Dalphon דַּלְפוֹן, Aspatha אַסְפָּתָא, Poratha פּוֹרָתָא, Adalia אֲדַלְיָא, Aridatha אֲרִידָתָא, Parmashta פַּרְמַשְׁתָּא, Arisai אֲרִיסַי and Aridai אֲרִידַי.
Zeresh was the wife of Haman, the chief antagonist in the Book of Esther. When Haman became enraged at Mordecai's refusal to bow down to him, Zeresh and Haman's friends advised him to have a gallows built and to ask the king's permission to hang Mordecai on it. This plan reveals Zeresh's support for her husband's evil schemes and her own animosity towards the Jews. However, after Haman was humiliated by having to honor Mordecai, Zeresh and his wise men predicted Haman's downfall, stating that he could not prevail against Mordecai if he was of Jewish descent. Zeresh's words proved true, as Haman was ultimately hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. The story of Zeresh and Haman serves as a warning against pride, hatred, and the consequences of plotting evil against others.
All entries for Zeresh: זֶרֶשׁ