chamberlain, eunuch, officer
“Chamberlain” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(man of the chamber). Officer in charge of the king’s chamber (2 Kings 23:11; Esther 1:10,12,15; Dan. 1:8-11). A more dignified office ( Acts 12:20; Rom. 16:23).
“Eunuch” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(couch guardian). A castrated male. Eunuchs became court officials (2 Kings 9:32; Esth. 2:3; Acts 8:27); could not enter the congregation (Deut. 23:1). A celibate (Matt. 19:12).
“Chamberlain” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
1. Eunuch who had care of the king’s wives and concubines (2 Kings 23:11; Esther 1:10-15; Acts 12:20).
2. Chamberlain, that is, the treasurer or steward of the City of Corinth, whose salutations Paul sent to Rome (Rom. 16:23).
“Eunuch” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
The Lord distinguished three classes of eunuchs: those that were thus born; those emasculated by men; and those who had made themselves such for the kingdom of heaven’s sake (Matt. 19:12). It is the second class that are otherwise mentioned in scripture. They often became men of influence in the eastern courts, and had care of the harems; and where there were several there was one called their “prince” (Jer. 29:2; Dan. 1:3-18; Acts 8:27). Ebed-melech, who befriended Jeremiah, was a eunuch in the house of Zedekiah (Jer. 38:7-13). And they were eunuchs who threw Jezebel out of the lattice (2 Kings 9:32). This shows that Israel had followed the custom of the East in employing such persons.
One of the things prophesied against Israel was that their sons should be made eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon (2 Kings 20:18; Isa. 39:7). The case of Daniel and his companions was an instance of the fulfillment of this, for they were committed to the care of “the master of the eunuchs.” Though the word saris signifies “eunuch” it is often in the A.V. translated “chamberlain” and “officer” because the eunuchs were employed in such positions of trust. The man of Ethiopia baptized by Philip was a eunuch of great authority under the queen (Acts 8:27).
“Officer” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
This word is used in scripture indefinitely for any one in authority, there being seven Hebrew words so translated. In the New Testament are
1. πράκτωρ, from “to do or act,” it occurs only in Luke 12:58. It is used for the officer appointed to exact the money adjudicated by the judge.
2. ὑπηρἐτης, literally “an under-rower,” a subordinate officer, who assisted the priests and the Roman governors (Matt. 5:25; John 7:32,45-46; John 18:3-22; John 19:6; Acts 5:22,26). It is also translated “minister” and “servant.”
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Meaning:
or caric {saw-reece'}; from an unused root meaning to castrate; a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state
KJV Usage:
chamberlain, eunuch, officer. Compare 7249