Memucan
Memu'can (Hebrews Memukan', ממוּכָן, of unknown but prob. Persian origin; Sept. Μουχαῖος, Vulg. Mamuchan), the last named of the seven satraps or royal counsellors at the court of Xerxes, and the one at whose suggestion Vashti was divorced (Es 1:14,16,21). BC. 483. "They were wise men who knew the times' (skilled in the planets, according to Aben-Ezra), and appear to have formed a council of state; Josephus says that one of their offices was that of interpreting the laws (Ant. 11:6,1). This may also be inferred from the manner in which the royal question is put to them when assembled in council; 'According to law what is to be done with the queen Vashti?' Memucan was either the president of the council on this occasion, or gave his opinion first in consequence of his acknowledged wisdom, or from the respect allowed to his advanced age. Whatever may have been the cause of this priority, his sentence for Vashti's disgrace was approved by the king and princes, and at once put into execution. The Targum of Esther identifies him with 'Haman, the grandson of Agag.' 'The reading of the Kethib, or written text, in ver. 16, is מומכן."
