זֵתַר (ze.tar)
ze.tar
Zethar
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 proper name zetar appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, identifying a specific individual in the court of King Ahasuerus as recorded in Esther 1:10. Lexical sources define him simply as one of the seven eunuchs who attended the king during the banquet described in that chapter.
Etymologically, the name is interpreted to mean "star." This meaning adds a layer of symbolic resonance to his brief mention. In a narrative filled with hidden identities and sudden reversals of fortune, even minor characters carry names that hint at divine order or celestial significance, though the text itself does not elaborate on his personal role beyond his presence.
Because this word occurs in only a single verse, it serves as a precise historical marker rather than a theological term. Its inclusion confirms the detailed nature of the Esther narrative, which lists specific court officials to ground the story in a recognizable Persian administrative context. The name zetar remains a footnote in biblical scholarship, valued primarily for its contribution to understanding the setting of the Purim story.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Zethar appears only once in Scripture, listed among the seven eunuchs attending King Ahasuerus in Esther 1:10. While the text offers no further details about his character or actions, its inclusion highlights the narrative’s commitment to historical specificity. The Bible often records names that might seem minor, grounding grand stories in real human settings.
This single mention reminds us that every individual in God’s story has a place. Even those who serve in the background of royal courts are named and remembered. It encourages readers to trust that no life is too small for divine attention, and that history itself is part of a larger, purposeful design.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zethar1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זֵתַ֣ר1×
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 lists Zethar as one of the seven eunuchs serving Ahasuerus, establishing his role in the royal court during the banquet scene.