Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "chamberlain" referred to an official who held a position of authority and responsibility within a royal or noble household. The role of a chamberlain varied depending on the context and the specific duties assigned to them, but generally, they were entrusted with managing the private chambers and personal affairs of kings, queens, or other high-ranking individuals. The chamberlain was often a trusted advisor and confidant, playing a crucial role in the administration of the royal household.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "saris" is often translated as "chamberlain" or "eunuch." This term is used to describe officials who served in the courts of kings. For example, in the book of Esther, we encounter several chamberlains who serve King Ahasuerus. One notable chamberlain is Hegai, who was in charge of the women in the king's harem.
Esther 2:3 states, "Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all the beautiful young virgins to the citadel of Susa, to the harem under the supervision of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, custodian of the women."
Another significant chamberlain in the book of Esther is Harbona, who is mentioned in
Esther 7:9 : "Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, 'Look, the gallows fifty cubits high stands by the house of Haman. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.' The king said, 'Hang him on it!'"
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the Greek term "oikonomos" is sometimes used to describe a chamberlain or steward. One of the most notable references is found in
Acts 8:27 , which describes the Ethiopian eunuch who served as a high official under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians: "So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship."
This Ethiopian eunuch, though not explicitly called a chamberlain in the text, held a similar position of trust and responsibility, overseeing the treasury of the queen. His encounter with Philip the evangelist led to his conversion and baptism, highlighting the significant role that individuals in such positions could play in the spread of the Gospel.
Role and SignificanceThe role of a chamberlain was significant in biblical narratives, as these individuals often had access to the inner workings of royal courts and could influence decisions and events. Their positions required loyalty, discretion, and the ability to manage complex affairs. In some cases, chamberlains were eunuchs, which was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern courts to ensure their undivided loyalty and to prevent any dynastic ambitions.
Chamberlains are depicted as key figures in the unfolding of God's plans, whether through their direct actions or through the influence they wielded in the courts they served. Their presence in the biblical narrative underscores the importance of faithful service and the impact that individuals in positions of authority can have in the divine account.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A confidential servant of the king (
Genesis 37:36;
39:1). In
Romans 16:23 mention is made of "Erastus the chamberlain." Here the word denotes the treasurer of the city, or the quaestor, as the Romans styled him. He is almost the only convert from the higher ranks of whom mention is made (Comp.
Acts 17:34). Blastus, Herod's "chamberlain" (
Acts 12:20), was his personal attendant or valet-de-chambre. The Hebrew word saris, thus translated in
Esther 1:10, 15;
2:3, 14, 21, etc., properly means an eunuch (as in the marg.), as it is rendered in Isaiah 39:7; 56:3.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An officer or servant who has charge of a chamber or chambers.
2. (n.) An upper servant of an inn.
3. (n.) An officer having the direction and management of the private chambers of a nobleman or monarch; hence, in Europe, one of the high officers of a court.
4. (n.) A treasurer or receiver of public money; as, the chamberlain of London, of North Wales, etc.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHAMBERLAINcham'-ber-lin: In the Old Testament the word rendered chamberlain, caric, is more properly "eunuch," an officer which oriental monarchs placed over their harems (Esther 1:10, 12, 15;Esther 2:3, 14, 21; 4:4; 6:2, 14; 7:92 Kings 23:11). This officer seems also to have had other duties. See under EUNUCH. In the New Testament:
(1) oikonomos, literally manager of the household, apparently the "treasurer" as in the Revised Version (British and American) "Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you" (Romans 16:23). Compare adapted use as applied to Christian apostles and teachers, bishops, and even to individual members; in which cases, rendered "stewards" (1 Corinthians 4:1Titus 1:71 Peter 4:10).
(2) InActs 12:20, "Blastus the king's chamberlain" (ho epi toa koitonos tou basileos, "he who is over the king's bed-chamber"), not treasure-chamber, as above; here praefectus cubiculo, or chief valet de chambre to the royal person, a position involving much honor and intimacy.
Edward Bagby Pollard
Greek
986. Blastos -- Blastus, thechamberlain of Herod Agrippa I... Blastus, the
chamberlain of Herod Agrippa I. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Blastos Phonetic Spelling: (blas'-tos) Short Definition: Blastus
...2135. eunouchos -- a eunuch
... Transliteration: eunouchos Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-noo'-khos) Short Definition:
a eunuch, keeper of the bed-chamber Definition: (a) achamberlain, keeper of...
3623. oikonomos -- the manager of a household
... 1), steward (2), stewards (3), treasurer (1).chamberlain, governor, steward.
From oikos and the base of nomos; a house-distributor...
2846. koiton -- a bedchamber
... Word Origin from koite Definition a bedchamber NASB Word Usagechamberlain* (1).
a bedroom, bedchamber. From koite; a bedroom -- +chamberlain....
1909. epi -- on, upon
... 2), any (2), around (2), basis (4), because (2), because* (2), bedridden* (1), before
(24), besides (1), beyond (1), certainly* (2),chamberlain* (1), charge (1...
Strong's Hebrew
5631. saris -- eunuch...chamberlain, eunuch, officer. Or caric {saw-reece'}; from an unused root meaning
to castrate; a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially
...7249. Rab-saris -- perhaps "chief eunuch," an official of the...
... Rab-saris. From rab and a foreign word for a eunuch; chiefchamberlain; Rab-Saris,
a Babylonian official -- Rab-saris. see HEBREW rab. 7248, 7249....
Library
The Epistle of Theonas, Bishop of Alexandria, to Lucianus, the...
... The Epistle of Theonas, Bishop of Alexandria, to Lucianus, the Chief
Chamberlain. Bishop Theonas to Lucianus, the ChiefChamberlain...
Letter C
... Received 1789, Withdrew 1794 * Cavender, Charles "Received 1795, Located 1800 *
Chalmers, John "Received 1788, Died 1833 *Chamberlain, David "Received...
Mr. Bernard Shaw
... Mr.Chamberlain, for instance, is a very good one.... Once let Mr.Chamberlain
be mistaken for a practical man, and his game is won....
Constantinople
... himself by a bath and a morning meal, some of the palace officials would be waiting
to conduct him to an interview, first with the GrandChamberlain, and then...
Guests at an Imperial Banquet
... Chrysostom looked longer at the male guests. He did not know Theophilus by sight,
and asked theChamberlain who that stately and richly clad ecclesiastic was....
The Foreign Missions and their Influence.
... Von Plesz, the King'sChamberlain, asked them how they would live.... The
Chamberlain slipped some coins into Nitschmann's pocket....
General Conference of 1824
... Genesee Conference: John P. Alverson, Joseph Baker, IsraelChamberlain, Wyatt
Chamberlain, George W. Densmoor, Loring Grant, James Hall, Gideon Lanning...
The General Conference of 1828
... Genesee Conference: Horace Agard, IsraelChamberlain, John Dempster, Isaac Grant,
Loring Grant, James Hall, George Harmon, Jonathan Huestis, Josiah Keyes...
Of the Persons to Whom, and the Time When, Baptism is to be...
... your pearls before swine;" [8723] and, "Lay not hands easily on any; share not other
men's sins." [8724] If Philip so "easily" baptized thechamberlain, let us...
Philip, the Evangelist
... This man, who was thechamberlain or treasurer of Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians,
had heard somehow in his distant home, of the Jewish religion, and had...
Thesaurus
Chamberlain (14 Occurrences)... A confidential servant of the king (Genesis 37:36; 39:1). In Romans 16:23 mention
is made of "Erastus the
chamberlain." Here the word denotes the treasurer of
...Blastus (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryChamberlain to king Herod Agrippa I. (Acts 12:20). Such
persons generally had great influence with their masters. Int....
Life-guard (5 Occurrences)
... Life-guard (5 Occurrences). Genesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt,
to Potiphar, achamberlain of Pharaoh, the captain of the life-guard. (DBY)....
Teresh (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Severe, a eunuch orchamberlain in the palace
of Ahasuerus, who conspired with another to murder him....
Eunuch (20 Occurrences)
... Literally bed-keeper orchamberlain, and not necessarily in all cases one who was
mutilated, although the practice of employing such mutilated persons in...
Magian (4 Occurrences)
... 39:3 and all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate:
Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebu, Sarsechim, chiefchamberlain, Nergal-sharezer...
Hege (1 Occurrence)
... he'-ga-i, he'-ge (heghay; Gai (Esther 2:8, 15), and heghe', Hege (Esther 2:3)):
One of the officers of the Persian king Ahasuerus; achamberlain or eunuch...
Chamberlains (17 Occurrences)
Quiet (167 Occurrences)
... For "quiet prince in Jeremiah 51:59, the Revised Version (British and American)
substitutes "chiefchamberlain," margin "quartermaster." "Jacob was a quiet (tam...
Nathan-melech (1 Occurrence)
... the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the
house of Jehovah, by the chamber of Nathan-melech thechamberlain, which was in...
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