Back to Search

Shushan

Locations
Modern Location Shush, Khuzestan Province, Iran
Coordinates 32.1911, 48.2636

Geographical Setting

Shushan, identified with the ancient city of Susa, was a major capital of the Elamite, Persian, and Parthian empires located in the Khuzestan plain of southwestern Iran.

What is the meaning of Shushan in the Bible?

Shushan, also known as Susa, is an ancient city situated in southwestern Iran, serving as a significant administrative and cultural center for the Elamite, Achaemenid, and Parthian empires from the 3rd millennium BC through the early Islamic period.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Shushan provides essential historical and geographical context for biblical narratives involving the Persian Empire, including the journeys of Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah, and the prophetic visions of Daniel and Zechariah.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Shushan (located near modern Shush, Khuzestan Province, Iran) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Shushan in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Shushan 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.

How to Cite This Entry

"Shushan." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shushan/
Report Error