Original Word: בִּזְתָא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Biztha'
Pronunciation: biz-ZAY-thah
Phonetic Spelling: (biz-thaw')
KJV: Biztha
NASB: Biztha
Word Origin: [of Persian origin]

1. Biztha, a eunuch of Xerxes

Biztha

Of Persian origin; Biztha, a eunuch of Xerxes -- Biztha.

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

בִּזְּתָא proper name, masculine a eunuch of Ahasuerus, Esther 1:10 (Thes compare Persian beste, ligatus sc. membro, e.g. spado, compare Vullers^{Dict. Pers.} below ).

Identification and Occurrence

Biztha is one of seven chamberlains listed among the officials of King Ahasuerus who served at the Persian court in Susa (Esther 1:10). Scripture records the name only once, highlighting a specific moment when these attendants were dispatched to summon Queen Vashti.

Historical Context

The book of Esther opens in the third year of Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), during a lavish, months-long display of royal splendor. Persian monarchs commonly employed eunuchs or trusted officers to safeguard palace propriety and execute sensitive commands. Biztha’s position indicates access to the king’s private quarters and involvement in critical ceremonial duties. Such roles required absolute loyalty, instantaneous obedience, and an intimate familiarity with royal protocol—traits esteemed in the vast Persian bureaucracy that governed from India to Cush (Esther 1:1).

Role within the Persian Court

Alongside Mehuman, Harbonah, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, Biztha is tasked with delivering the king’s summons to Vashti “to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely in form” (Esther 1:11). The naming of each servant underscores the official nature of the command and the gravity of Vashti’s refusal. Through Biztha and his colleagues, Scripture presents a snapshot of palace hierarchy: the king issues orders, eunuchs convey them, and compliance is expected without question.

Theological Themes and Lessons

1. Divine Sovereignty in Ordinary People

Though Biztha occupies only a single verse, he stands within the broader tapestry of providence woven throughout Esther. God advances His redemptive purposes not merely through rulers like Ahasuerus or heroes like Esther and Mordecai, but also through unnamed crowds and briefly mentioned servants. The inclusion of Biztha testifies that every individual—however obscure—fits within God’s overarching plan.

2. Authority and Obedience

Biztha’s prompt attendance on the king illustrates a biblical principle: legitimate authority, properly exercised, demands obedience (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17). Yet Vashti’s civil disobedience reminds readers that earthly power is not ultimate. Together, their contrasting responses prompt reflection on discerning righteous submission and courage.

3. Human Honor Versus Divine Esteem

Biztha serves in a palace obsessed with human glory; the seven-day feast culminates in a parade meant to exalt Vashti’s beauty. In contrast, the narrative soon shifts to God’s hidden exaltation of His people. Scripture invites believers to weigh the fleeting recognition of human courts against the eternal honor bestowed by the King of kings (1 Samuel 2:30; John 12:26).

Connections within Scripture

• Pattern of Court Officials: From Pharaoh’s cupbearer (Genesis 40) to Nebuchadnezzar’s eunuchs (Daniel 1), royal servants regularly function as pivotal actors in biblical history. Biztha joins this company, demonstrating how courtly intermediaries can influence the destinies of nations.
• Sevenfold Service: The group of seven attendants parallels other heptads in Scripture, evoking completeness (e.g., seven seals in Revelation 5). Here, the full complement of chamberlains underscores the thoroughness of Ahasuerus’s command.

Ministry Application

Pastors and ministry leaders can draw several insights:
• Faithfulness in Small Things: Biztha’s fleeting mention models diligence in assigned duties, however mundane. Believers serving behind the scenes should remember that God records and values unseen faithfulness (Colossians 3:23-24).
• Stewardship of Influence: Those with proximity to power—whether governmental, corporate, or ecclesial—bear responsibility to wield access wisely, knowing that simple acts may further God’s providential plans.
• Intercessory Perspective: The book of Esther encourages prayer for public servants. Biztha and his peers remind congregations to intercede for the vast workforce supporting modern leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Though Scripture affords Biztha only a brief cameo, his service in the Persian court contributes to the cascading events that bring Esther to the throne, safeguard the covenant people, and preserve the lineage through which the Messiah would come. God’s purposes advance through both celebrated and obscure agents, calling every believer to humble, faithful participation in His redemptive story.

בִּזְּתָ֨א בזתא biz·zə·ṯā bizzeTa bizzəṯāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts