India in the Bible

This name occurs only in the book of Esther, where the extent of the dominion of the Persian king is described. The country call India here is not the peninsula of Hindustan, but the land surrounding the Indus River, the Punjab.

Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, …So the king’s scribes were called at that time in the third month (that is, the month Sivan), on the twenty-third day; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the provinces which extended from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to every province according to its script, and to every people according to their tongue as well as to the Jews according to their script and their tongue.—Esther 1:1; 8:9

Products of ancient India in relation to Israel

The people and the products of India were well known to the Jews, who seem to have carried on an active trade with that country.

The sons of Dedan were your traders. Many coastlands were customers at your hand; ivory tusks and ebony they brought as your payment. …They traded with you in choice garments, in clothes of blue and embroidered work, and in carpets of many colors and tightly wound cords, which were among your merchandise. —Ezek. 27:15, 24 LSB

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The ancient last king of the Median Empire, Astyages (585 to 550 BC) was a follower of the Vedic (Vedas) religion originating in India, now known as Hinduism. King Astyages was eventually conquered by King Cyrus.

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Article Version: December 15, 2024