שַׁעַשְׁגַּז

Shaashgaz, a eunuch of Xerxes

Definition

Shaashgaz is the name of a eunuch in the court of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) in the Book of Esther. He is specifically identified as the keeper of the king's concubines (Esther 2:14). After a woman spent a night with the king, she would be placed under Shaashgaz's care in a second harem, from which she would not return to the king unless he specifically summoned her by name. His role underscores the highly structured, impersonal, and often restrictive nature of the Persian royal household, which forms the backdrop for Esther's story.

Biblical Usage

This proper noun is used only once in the Old Testament, in Esther 2:14. It appears in the narrative describing the protocol for the young women gathered for the king. The context is purely administrative, listing Shaashgaz's official duty as the custodian of the concubines who were not chosen to be queen.

Etymology

The name Shaashgaz is of Persian origin, not Hebrew, reflecting the historical setting of the book. Its exact meaning in Old Persian is uncertain, but as a personal name, it identifies an individual within the Persian court system. This foreign etymology is consistent with other names and titles in Esther, such as Hegai (H1896) and Hatach (H2047), anchoring the story in its historical context.

Semantic Range

While the name Shaashgaz itself carries no direct theological weight, his role is theologically significant. It highlights the hidden, providential workings of God in a foreign court. Esther's transition from the care of Hegai to the custody of Shaashgaz after her night with the king (Esther 2:14) could have meant permanent obscurity. Yet, God orchestrated events so that the king later remembered and summoned her, positioning her to save her people. Shaashgaz's administrative function thus becomes a minor link in the chain of divine providence.

Shaashgaz was a eunuch, a castrated male servant, common in ancient Near Eastern royal courts to oversee the women of the harem. His position as 'keeper of the concubines' reflects the vast, compartmentalized Persian harem system, where women were segregated and managed by specific officials. This cultural practice, so different from modern Western norms, illustrates the absolute power of the king and the vulnerable, institutionalized position of the women, making Esther's rise to influence and her courageous advocacy even more remarkable.

Hegai (H1896) — The king's eunuch in charge of the virgins (first harem). Hatach (H2047) — Another eunuch of the king who served as a messenger for Esther.

Word Details

Scripture References