Biztha
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Biztha is a figure mentioned in the Book of Esther, which is part of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. He is one of the seven eunuchs who served King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I, the Persian king who reigned from 486 to 465 BC. The account of Biztha is found in Esther 1:10, where he is listed among the eunuchs who attended to the king.

Biblical Reference:

In the Book of Esther, Biztha is mentioned in the context of a royal banquet hosted by King Ahasuerus. The passage reads:

"On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who attended him, to bring Queen Vashti before him, wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and officials, for she was lovely to look at." (Esther 1:10-11)

Role and Significance:

Biztha's role, along with the other eunuchs, was to serve the king and carry out his commands. Eunuchs in the Persian court were often entrusted with significant responsibilities, including managing the king's harem and serving as intermediaries between the king and his subjects. The mention of Biztha and his fellow eunuchs highlights the structured hierarchy and the importance of court officials in the Persian Empire.

The incident involving Queen Vashti, in which Biztha played a part, sets the stage for the subsequent events in the Book of Esther. Vashti's refusal to appear before the king leads to her removal as queen, paving the way for Esther, a Jewish woman, to become queen and ultimately save her people from a plot to destroy them.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The presence of eunuchs like Biztha in the Persian court reflects the broader practices of ancient Near Eastern and Persian societies, where eunuchs were often employed in royal households due to their perceived loyalty and inability to establish dynasties of their own. This practice ensured that they remained focused on serving the interests of the king.

Biztha's mention, though brief, is part of the larger narrative that illustrates the providence and sovereignty of God in the lives of His people. The Book of Esther, while not explicitly mentioning God, demonstrates His unseen hand guiding the events to protect the Jewish people from annihilation.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the account of Esther, including the role of figures like Biztha, underscores themes of divine providence, faithfulness, and the courage to stand for one's beliefs. It serves as a reminder of God's ability to work through seemingly ordinary events and individuals to accomplish His purposes.

Biztha, as part of the royal court, represents the intricate network of individuals and circumstances that God orchestrates to fulfill His plans. His inclusion in the biblical narrative, though minor, contributes to the unfolding of a significant moment in Jewish history, demonstrating that every role, no matter how small, can be part of God's greater design.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Biztha

(eunuch), the second of the seven eunuchs of King Ahasuerus' harem. (Esther 1:10) (B.C. 483.)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BIZTHA

biz'-tha (Septuagint Mazan; also Bazan and Bazea): One of the seven eunuchs or chamberlains of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes). It is possible that the name is derived from the Persian besteh, "bound," hence, "eunuch" (Esther 1:10).

Strong's Hebrew
968. Bizzetha -- a eunuch of Ahasuerus
... 967, 968. Bizzetha. 969 . a eunuch of Ahasuerus. Transliteration: Bizzetha
Phonetic Spelling: (biz-thaw') Short Definition: Biztha. ... Biztha. ...
/hebrew/968.htm - 5k
Thesaurus
Biztha (1 Occurrence)
...BIZTHA. biz'-tha (Septuagint Mazan; also Bazan and Bazea): One of the seven eunuchs
or chamberlains of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes). ...Biztha (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/biztha.htm - 7k

Bizzetha (1 Occurrence)
... Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine,
he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas ...
/b/bizzetha.htm - 6k

Xerxes (24 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine,
he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass ...
/x/xerxes.htm - 14k

Zethar (1 Occurrence)
... Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine,
he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass ...
/z/zethar.htm - 7k

Unsexed (26 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was glad with wine, he
gave orders to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and ...
/u/unsexed.htm - 15k

Eunuchs (33 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine,
he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass ...
/e/eunuchs.htm - 17k

Mehuman (1 Occurrence)
... Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine,
he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass ...
/m/mehuman.htm - 7k

Bigtha (1 Occurrence)
... Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine,
he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass ...
/b/bigtha.htm - 7k

Bizjothjah (1 Occurrence)

/b/bizjothjah.htm - 6k

Carcas (1 Occurrence)
... Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine,
he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass ...
/c/carcas.htm - 7k

Resources
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Concordance
Biztha (1 Occurrence)

Esther 1:10
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Biztha

Biztha: A Persian Chamberlain

Related Terms

Bizzetha (1 Occurrence)

Xerxes (24 Occurrences)

Zethar (1 Occurrence)

Unsexed (26 Occurrences)

Eunuchs (33 Occurrences)

Mehuman (1 Occurrence)

Bigtha (1 Occurrence)

Bizjothjah (1 Occurrence)

Carcas (1 Occurrence)

Chamberlains (17 Occurrences)

Ahasuerus (28 Occurrences)

Abagtha (1 Occurrence)

Merry (38 Occurrences)

Carcass (30 Occurrences)

Ministered (53 Occurrences)

Ministering (63 Occurrences)

Harbona (1 Occurrence)

Bizjothjah: Called Bimothiah-Baalah, Baalath-Beer
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