בִּגְתָא

Bigtha, a eunuch of Xerxes

Definition

Bigtha is the name of a eunuch who served King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) in the Persian court, as recorded in the book of Esther. The name appears only in Esther 1:10, where he is listed among the seven eunuchs sent to summon Queen Vashti to the king's banquet. As a proper noun, it functions solely as a personal identifier for this specific court official, with no other attested meanings or senses in the biblical text.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Esther 1:10. It is used in the specific context of the Persian royal court, identifying one of the seven eunuchs tasked with a direct command from the king. The usage is purely as a proper name within a historical narrative, with no patterns or variations.

Etymology

The name Bigtha is of Persian origin, not Hebrew, reflecting the historical setting of the book of Esther in the Persian Empire. Its exact Persian derivation and meaning are uncertain, but it is typical of the many Persian names and titles preserved in the biblical text, highlighting the foreign context of the story.

Semantic Range

As a eunuch (סָרִיס, saris, H5631) in the Persian court, Bigtha held a position of trusted access to the king, often responsible for the harem and royal household. His Persian name and role underscore the authenticity of the book's setting in the diaspora. Understanding this term highlights the foreign, pagan environment in which God providentially worked through Esther and Mordecai to preserve His people.

סָרִיס (çarîyç, H5631) — The generic Hebrew term for a eunuch or court official, of which Bigtha was one.

Word Details

Scripture References