שַׁעַשְׁגַּז (sha.ash.gaz)
sha.ash.gaz
Shaashgaz
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Shaashgaz is a proper name appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible, at Esther 2:14. The lexicon sources identify him as a eunuch serving in the palace of King Xerxes, specifically charged with overseeing the women residing in the second house of the harem.
The name itself carries descriptive weight, translating to "servant of the beautiful." This etymology reflects his official role within the royal court, where he managed the care and placement of young women, including Esther, after they had been prepared for their audience with the king. His presence in the text highlights the intricate administrative structure of the Persian empire that facilitated the unfolding of the narrative.
Though a minor figure, Shaashgaz serves as a crucial link in the chain of events leading to Esther’s rise. By noting his title and function, the biblical author grounds the story in the concrete realities of court life, showing how divine providence often works through human institutions and officials to preserve His people.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Shaashgaz appears only once in Scripture, yet his role reveals how God uses ordinary structures to protect His people. As the keeper of the women’s house in King Xerxes’ palace, he managed a system that could have easily crushed Esther’s spirit. Instead, this administrative detail shows that divine care often works through human institutions and officials we might overlook.
His name means “servant of the beautiful,” a title that fits his duty to prepare young women for the king. Though he held power over their lives, the text notes he kept them under his charge without claiming them for himself. This highlights how God can place people in positions of authority to preserve His plans, even when those people are unaware of the larger story unfolding around them.
For your faith, this reminds us that no situation is beyond God’s reach. Even in places of danger or uncertainty, He works through the details of daily life. You can trust that He sees you and cares for your path, using both great and small events to bring about His good purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shaashgaz1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַֽׁעֲשְׁגַ֛ז1×
Key Verses
-
Esther 2:14
In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women’s house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
This verse identifies Shaashgaz as the eunuch who kept the concubines, showing his specific role in managing Esther’s transition into the palace.