Metaphysical meaning of Achmetha (mbd)
Achmetha, ach'-me-thå (Heb.)--station or fortress; a walled place; a place of horses.
Supposed to be the same as Ecbatana, a city in Media (Ezra 6:2). Some writers, however, think that the word "Achmetha" should be translated, "in a coffer," and that it does not refer to a city. Fallows says: "The derivation of the name is doubtful; but Major Rawlinson (Geographical Journal, x:134) has left little question that the title was applied exclusively to cities having a fortress for the protection of the royal treasures." It was at "Achmetha, in the palace," that the record of the decree of Cyrus concerning the rebuilding of the house of God in Jerusalem was found. Some of the enemies of the Israelites, who did not want Jerusalem or the Temple rebuilt, professed to believe that the Jews had never been authorized by Cyrus to do this work. They therefore hindered the work for some time by appealing to the governor and having him order that the work cease. Then a letter was sent to the king of Media and Persia, and he caused a search to be made to learn whether Cyrus had ever made a decree giving the Israelites the right to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and to make use of all the vessels of the Temple. The record of such a decree was found at Achmetha, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall and Temple was allowed to proceed.
Meta. The foregoing explanation, with the meaning of the name, infers that the symbology of Achmetha is as follows: Deep within the very life forces of the organism of man, even though they may be governed by the unregenerate will (a heathen king), there is preserved the truth that man is in reality a spiritual being. This truth, upon being brought to light in the consciousness, silences the sense beliefs of limited life and a material body. Then the work of renewing the whole man--spirit, soul, and body--proceeds through the medium of the spiritual thoughts (Israelites).
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Preceding Entry: Achish
Following Entry: Achor
