What is a satrap in the bible?

In the Bible, the term "satrap" refers to a high-ranking government official or governor in the ancient Persian Empire. This word is derived from the Old Persian word "khshathrapavan," which means "protector of the realm."

During the time period covered in the Bible, the satraps were appointed by the Persian king to rule over various provinces or satrapies. They were responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting taxes, and ensuring the loyalty of the conquered territories. The satrap's role was to govern their assigned region on behalf of the Persian king while also reporting any significant events or concerns back to the central government.

One well-known satrap mentioned in the Bible is Shashbaz (also spelled Sheshbazzar), who appears in the book of Ezra. Shashbaz was appointed by King Cyrus of Persia to oversee the return of the Jews to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon. He is described as being of royal descent and entrusted with the task of bringing back the temple vessels that were taken during the Babylonian conquest.

Another known satrap is Darius the Mede, who appears in the book of Daniel. Darius was appointed as a satrap after the fall of Babylon to the Persians. However, some historians dispute his identity, as there is limited historical evidence for his existence outside of biblical texts.

The role of satraps in the Bible primarily serves as a historical and political context to understand the interactions between the Persian Empire and the Israelites during the period of exile and return to the promised land.