Satraps

SATRAPS.—RV [Note: Revised Version.] tr. [Note: translate or translation.] of ’ăchashdarpĕnîm, Ezr 8:35, Est 3:12; Est 8:9; Est 9:3 (AV [Note: Authorized Version.] lieutenants), Dan 3:2-3; Dan 3:27; Dan 6:1 ff. (AV [Note: Authorized Version.] princes). The term stands for the Pers. khshatrapâvan (= ‘protectors of the realm’). The satrap was the governor of a whole province, and be held the position of a vassal king. His power, however, was checked by the presence of a royal scribe, whose duty it was to report to the ‘great king’ on the administration of the province.

sā´traps, sat´raps (אחשׁדּרפּנים, ’ăḥashdarp^enı̄m, Ezr 8:36; Est 3:12; Est 8:9; Est 9:3, the King James Version “lieutenants”; Dan 3:2, Dan 3:3, Dan 3:27; Dan 6:1 ff, the King James Version “princes”): The viceroys or vassal rulers to whom was entrusted the government of the provinces in the Persian empire. The word answers to the Old Persian khshathrapāvan, “protectors of the realm.”