מֶלְצָר (mel.tsar)
mel.tsar
`steward`
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun melatsar appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the Book of Daniel. It denotes a high-ranking official or steward within the royal court of Babylon. The term likely derives from a Babylonian title, reflecting the administrative structure of the empire that held the Israelites in exile.
In Daniel 1:11 and 2:25, it refers to an officer who had authority over others, such as the chief eunuch or guard. This role involved managing resources and personnel for the king’s household. The word highlights the complex hierarchy of foreign powers during this historical period.
Its limited usage underscores its specificity to the Babylonian context. Translators often render it as "steward" or "guardian," capturing the sense of a trusted manager. This single term provides insight into the political landscape Daniel navigated while maintaining his faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word melatsar describes a steward or official in charge of others. In Daniel’s story, this person held authority over the young men from Judah. This role was not just about managing food and wine; it involved overseeing people in a foreign court.
Seeing God’s people serve in such positions reminds us that faithfulness matters everywhere. Daniel and his friends did not hide their identity. They trusted God even when dealing with powerful officials like the steward. Their integrity shone through in a difficult environment.
This word shows that God places His servants in strategic roles. Whether you work in business, government, or home, your conduct reflects on your faith. Trusting God in daily duties brings glory to Him and opens doors for witness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ guardian2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מֶּלְצַ֗ר1×
- הַ/מֶּלְצַ֑ר1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 1:11
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
This verse introduces the steward as the official appointed over Daniel and his friends, highlighting the direct authority he held during their training.
-
Daniel 1:16
So the steward took away their delicacies and the wine that they were given to drink, and gave them vegetables.
Here the steward observes the results of their diet choice, showing how his role included evaluating their physical well-being and adjusting their provisions accordingly.