Original Word: אֲבִַגְתָא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Abagtha'
Pronunciation: a-vag-THA
Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ag-thaw')
KJV: Abagtha
NASB: Abagtha
Word Origin: [of foreign origin]

1. Abagtha, a eunuch of Xerxes

Abagtha

Of foreign origin; Abagtha, a eunuch of Xerxes -- Abagtha.

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
a eunuch of Ahasuerus
NASB Translation
Abagtha (1).

אֲבַגְתָא proper name, masculine (Persian compare בִּגְתָא) eunuch of Ahasuerus Esther 1:10.

Name and Meaning

Abagtha is a Persian court name that appears only once in Scripture. Although the exact etymology is uncertain, its foreign character highlights the setting of the Book of Esther within the vast multicultural empire of Persia.

Biblical Occurrence

Esther 1:10 records Abagtha among “Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who attended King Xerxes”. Together these officials were dispatched to summon Queen Vashti during the king’s lavish seven-day banquet.

Historical Background

The Book of Esther opens in the third year of Xerxes I (also called Ahasuerus, circa 483 BC). Persian monarchs surrounded themselves with trusted eunuchs who managed palace affairs and safeguarded the royal harem. Their high-ranking status is confirmed by classical historians such as Herodotus, who notes their political influence. Abagtha’s inclusion among the seven principal eunuchs indicates proximity to the throne and daily access to the sovereign.

Role in the Persian Court

As one of “the seven eunuchs who attended King Xerxes,” Abagtha functioned as a courier of the king’s personal commands. This small cadre served as intermediaries between monarch and court, bearing messages that often carried life-changing consequences—as seen when Queen Vashti’s refusal precipitated her removal (Esther 1:12–19). By naming each eunuch, the author underlines the authenticity of the narrative and the formality of Persian court protocol.

Theological and Ministry Insights

1. Providence through Ordinary Agents: Abagtha’s brief appearance illustrates how God orchestrates events through seemingly minor figures. His assignment to summon Vashti set in motion the chain of events that would elevate Esther and secure Israel’s preservation (Esther 4:14).
2. Accountability of Leadership: Abagtha stood as a direct witness to royal excess and the misuse of authority. Scripture silently contrasts the king’s frivolity with the seriousness of the outcome, reminding modern readers that those in any position of service may observe both wisdom and folly and must remain faithful in their duty.
3. The Inviolability of God’s Purposes: Even in a pagan court, God’s redemptive plan moved unhindered. Abagtha unknowingly participated in a divine drama reaching far beyond Persian politics, foreshadowing the principle that “the king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD” (Proverbs 21:1).

Connections within the Canon

• Like Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon, Abagtha represents the often-overlooked servants through whom God advances His covenant promises.
• His role as an official messenger parallels the unnamed servants in the Gospels (John 2:1–11; Mark 14:13) who facilitate pivotal moments in redemptive history.
• The seven eunuchs recall the seven deacons of Acts 6:1–6—both groups entrusted with administrative authority so that greater purposes might be achieved.

Applications for Believers

• Faithfulness in Small Things: Abagtha’s fleeting cameo reminds believers that no assignment is insignificant within God’s sovereign design.
• Cultural Engagement without Compromise: Serving in a pagan environment, Abagtha’s account challenges Christians to labor diligently in secular contexts while trusting God to weave their service into His larger plan.
• Confidence in God’s Hidden Work: Just as Esther could later look back and trace the Lord’s hand through Abagtha’s simple summons, believers today can rest assured that unseen aspects of daily obedience contribute to eternal outcomes.

Though mentioned only once, Abagtha stands as a testament to the intricate tapestry of providence in Scripture, demonstrating that every name recorded in the Word carries enduring significance for faith and life.

וַאֲבַגְתָא֙ ואבגתא vaavagTa wa’ăḇaḡṯā wa·’ă·ḇaḡ·ṯāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts