Dictionary entry

Satraps

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sa'-traps, sat'-raps ('achashdarpenim,Ezr 8:36;Es 3:12;8:9;9:3, the King James Version "lieutenants";Da 3:2,3,27;6:1ff, 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 khshathrapavan, "protectors of the realm."