תֶּרֶשׁ
Teresh, a eunuch of Xerxes
Definition
Teresh is a proper noun referring to a specific individual in the Book of Esther. He is identified as one of the two eunuchs, or court officials, who served King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) and who conspired to assassinate him (Esther 2:21). The plot was discovered and reported by Mordecai, leading to the execution of Teresh and his co-conspirator, Bigthana. This event is later recorded in the royal chronicles, which the king reads on a sleepless night, prompting him to honor Mordecai (Esther 6:2). The name Teresh appears only in these two contexts, always in association with this failed conspiracy.
Biblical Usage
The word Teresh is used exclusively in the Book of Esther, occurring only twice in the entire Old Testament. In both occurrences (Esther 2:21 and Esther 6:2), it identifies the same individual as a eunuch of King Xerxes who plotted against the king. The usage is purely historical and narrative, serving to name a minor character whose actions trigger a key plot point—Mordecai's unrewarded loyalty, which later becomes crucial for the deliverance of the Jewish people.
Etymology
The name Teresh is of foreign derivation, as noted in Strong's Concordance. It is not a native Hebrew word but a personal name likely of Persian origin, given its setting in the Persian court. The exact meaning in its original language is uncertain, as it is a transliteration into Hebrew. This foreign origin is consistent with other names of Persian officials in the Book of Esther, such as Bigthana and Harbona.
Semantic Range
While the name Teresh itself is not theologically loaded, the narrative involving him highlights God's providential oversight in the Book of Esther. The discovery and recording of the conspiracy (Esther 2:21-23) sets in motion a chain of events where God works behind the scenes. The king's later reading of the chronicle (Esther 6:1-3), which mentions Teresh, leads directly to Mordecai's honor and the eventual thwarting of Haman's plot. Thus, understanding this minor character underscores the theme of divine providence operating through seemingly mundane or coincidental details to protect His people.
Teresh is identified as a 'eunuch' (Hebrew: סָרִיס, saris), a common title for high-ranking court officials in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, particularly in the Persian Empire. These officials often held positions of great trust and access to the king, making their conspiracy particularly dangerous. The narrative reflects the political intrigue and life-and-death stakes within the royal court. The foreign name also emphasizes the Jewish diaspora context, where God's people lived under and interacted with a foreign power.
Bigthana (Bigthan, H904) — Teresh's co-conspirator, another eunuch of Xerxes mentioned in the same verses.
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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