Original Word: כַּרְכַּס
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Karkac
Pronunciation: KAR-kas
Phonetic Spelling: (kar-kas')
KJV: Carcas
NASB: Carkas
Word Origin: [of Persian origin]

1. Karkas, a eunuch of Xerxes

Of Persian origin; Karkas, a eunuch of Xerxes:

Of Persian origin; Karkas, a eunuch of Xerxes:

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

כַּרְכַּס proper name, masculine Persian, a eunuch of Ahasuerus, Esther 1:10.

כִּרְכָּרוֺת see [כִּדְכָּרָה] below כרר.

Biblical Context

Carcas appears once in Scripture, during the inaugural scene of Esther. “On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who served King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before him wearing her royal crown” (Esther 1:10). Though little is recorded about Carcas beyond his name, the verse locates him among the most trusted officials in the Persian court.

Historical Background

Ahasuerus—commonly identified with Xerxes I (486–465 B.C.)—ruled a vast empire from Susa. Eunuchs often held high administrative posts in Near-Eastern monarchies because their inability to establish rival dynasties was thought to guarantee loyalty. Persian records corroborate the biblical picture: royal eunuchs supervised harems, conveyed royal commands, and possessed direct access to the king.

Role in the Narrative of Esther

1. Instrument of the King’s Will – Carcas is listed third from last among seven eunuchs, indicating membership in an elite cadre. His summoning of Vashti sets in motion a chain of events leading to Esther’s rise and Israel’s deliverance.
2. Catalyst for Covenant Preservation – Vashti’s refusal (Esther 1:12) prompts a search that eventually places Esther on the throne. Carcas therefore stands at the narrative hinge where divine providence begins to unfold.
3. Silent Witness – Unlike Mehuman or Harbona, Carcas’s words are unrecorded. His silence highlights God’s hidden orchestration through human agents who may remain unnamed or voiceless in the larger biblical record.

Theological Themes

• Divine Sovereignty over Empires – Even the king’s most intimate officials unknowingly serve the Lord’s redemptive plan (Proverbs 21:1).
• The Hidden Hand of Providence – Carcas illustrates how minor characters can be positioned by God to initiate major outcomes (Romans 8:28).
• Humble Service – The role of a eunuch, though socially restricted, becomes a vessel for God’s purposes, foreshadowing the gospel welcome extended to eunuchs in Isaiah 56:3–5 and Acts 8:27–39.

Related Scriptures

• 2 Kings 20:18 – Forecast of royal eunuchs in Babylon.
• Jeremiah 38:7–13 – Ebed-melech the Ethiopian eunuch’s courageous advocacy.
• Daniel 1:3–7 – Hebrew youths placed under Ashpenaz, chief of Nebuchadnezzar’s eunuchs.
• Acts 8:27–39 – The Ethiopian official who receives the gospel through Philip.

Ministry Insights and Applications

1. Faithfulness in Hidden Places – Believers serving in obscure or secular contexts can significantly influence God’s kingdom agenda.
2. Obedience without Recognition – Carcas’s fleeting mention encourages servants who may never gain earthly fame yet play vital parts in God’s account (Colossians 3:23–24).
3. Vigilance in Leadership – Leaders are responsible for commands they issue; subordinates like Carcas reveal how critical intermediaries are in governance and church administration alike.

Summary

Though named only once, Carcas embodies the multitude of seemingly minor figures whose obedience advances God’s sovereign purposes. His presence in Esther underscores that, in the tapestry of redemption, every thread—even one largely unseen—contributes to the finished design decreed by the Lord.

וְכַרְכַּ֔ס וכרכס vecharKas wə·ḵar·kas wəḵarkasInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts