בִּגְתָא (big.ta)
big.ta
Bigtha
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Bigtha appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Esther 1:10 as one of the seven eunuchs serving King Ahasuerus (Xerxes). It functions strictly as a proper noun, identifying a specific court official without further narrative detail or theological commentary. The text lists him among those who attended the king during his banquet, highlighting the structure of the Persian royal household.
Linguistic sources suggest the name may derive from a root meaning "in the wine-press," though this etymology is speculative and not universally confirmed. As a personal name in this context, it carries no inherent symbolic weight within the biblical narrative itself. The mention serves primarily to document the personnel of the court rather than to convey a deeper spiritual lesson or character trait.
This single occurrence places Bigtha within the historical backdrop of the Esther story, illustrating the elaborate setting of the Persian empire. His presence underscores the political and social environment in which the events of the book unfold, providing a realistic detail of royal service without advancing the plot directly. The name remains a minor historical marker in the biblical record.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Bigtha appears only once in Scripture, listed among the seven eunuchs serving King Ahasuerus in Esther 1:10. This brief mention places him within the elaborate backdrop of the Persian royal court during a time of celebration.
While his role is minor and he does not speak or act further in the narrative, his inclusion reminds us that God’s providence works through every layer of society. Even those in the shadows of history are part of the larger story He is weaving.
This detail invites us to trust that no person is too small for God’s awareness. Whether in positions of power or service, every life has a place in His plan, even if we cannot see how it fits until later.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Bigtha1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בִּגְתָ֤א1×
Key Verses
-
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,
This verse identifies Bigtha as one of the seven eunuchs attending the king, grounding his name in the specific historical context of the Persian court.