Bible Dictionaries
Chamberlain
Holman Bible Dictionary
High military or political official whose title is related to Hebrew term meaning, “castrated” or “eunuch” but may be actually derived from Accadian term for royal official. That all officials bearing the Hebrew title, saris , were actually eunuchs is doubtful. The Rab-saris of 2 Kings 18:17 is literally, “chief of eunuchs” but more likely signifies the office held by a high military and administrative official. Compare Jeremiah 39:3; Daniel 1:3 . Potiphar is described as Pharaoh's saris but had a wife ( Genesis 37:36; Genesis 40:7 ). The Persian officials in Esther 1:10 may have been eunuchs, since they apparently protected the king's wives and harem. Compare 2 Kings 9:32 . Hebrew officials also carried the title: 1 Samuel 8:15; 1 Kings 22:9; 2 Kings 8:6; 2 Kings 23:11; 2Kings 24:12,2 Kings 24:15; 2 Kings 25:19 . See Eunuch .
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Chamberlain'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/c/chamberlain.html. 1991.