כַּרְכַּס
Karkas, a eunuch of Xerxes
Definition
Karkas is the name of a eunuch who served King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) in the Persian court, as recorded in Esther 1:10. The term functions solely as a proper noun, identifying this specific individual. There are no other biblical occurrences or alternate meanings for this word. He is listed among the seven eunuchs sent by the king to summon Queen Vashti during the royal banquet, a command she famously refused.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Esther 1:10. It appears in a list of seven eunuchs (סָרִיסִים, sarisim) tasked with a direct royal command. Its usage is purely nominal, serving to identify one member of this group within the narrative of the Persian court.
Etymology
The name 'Karkas' is of Persian origin, not Hebrew. It is a transliteration into Hebrew of an Old Persian name or title. The exact meaning in Persian is uncertain, but as a proper noun borrowed into the biblical text, it signifies the identity of a specific court official.
Semantic Range
While the name itself holds no inherent theological meaning, its presence is significant for the historicity and setting of the Book of Esther. It contributes to the authentic depiction of the Persian court, grounding the story of God's providence for His people within a specific historical and cultural context. Understanding that this is a Persian name enriches reading by highlighting the book's detailed portrayal of Jewish life in the diaspora.
As a eunuch (סָרִיס, saris) in the Persian court, Karkas held a position of trusted access to the king's private quarters and the royal women. Eunuchs were often high-ranking officials, administrators, or guardians in ancient Near Eastern palaces. This cultural role explains why they, and not ordinary servants, were sent to summon the queen. The name itself reflects the multicultural setting of the Persian Empire, which incorporated many peoples and languages.
There are no direct Hebrew synonyms for this proper name. As a court official, he is identified by his role: סָרִיס (saris, H5631) — a general term for a eunuch or high court official.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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