Achmetha
LocationsGeographical Setting
Achmetha, identified with the ancient Median capital of Ecbatana, was a major urban center in western Iran characterized by its distinctive seven-tiered fortifications.
What is the meaning of Achmetha in the Bible?
Achmetha, known in Greek as Ecbatana, was the ancient capital of Media located near modern Hamadan, Iran, and was traditionally founded or rebuilt by King Deiokes around 700 BC. The city was renowned for its massive fortifications consisting of seven concentric walls, each painted a different color, and served as a royal residence and administrative hub for successive empires, including the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanian periods.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Achmetha provides historical context for the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, where it is cited as the location where the temple vessels returned by Cyrus were stored and where the Jewish community reorganized after the Babylonian exile, illustrating the political and religious landscape of the Persian Empire.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Achmetha in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Achmetha clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.