Esther 2:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

At that time, therefore, when Mardochai abode at the king's gate, Bagathan and Thares, two of the king's eunuchs, who were porters, and presided in the first entry of the palace, were angry: and they designed to rise up against the king, and to kill him.
Douay-Rheims

בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם וּמָרְדֳּכַ֖י יֹשֵׁ֣ב בְּשַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ קָצַף֩ בִּגְתָ֨ן וָתֶ֜רֶשׁ שְׁנֵֽי־סָרִיסֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מִשֹּׁמְרֵ֣י הַסַּ֔ף וַיְבַקְשׁוּ֙ לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ יָ֔ד בַּמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹֽשׁ׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Rabanus Maurus
Jungerow P.A.

Rabanus Maurus

9th centuryTeacher of the Church

To whom do these two eunuchs, who served as the guardians of the royal residence and protected the entrance to the palace, correspond but the Jewish scribes and Pharisees? It was stated that they possessed the key of knowledge; however, they did not enter it themselves, nor did they permit others to enter. They sought to rebel against the King and sought His death, as their jealousy toward the Savior's teachings and virtues drove them to constantly devise wicked plans against Him, secretly colluding with Roman authorities to find a method for His destruction. The Gospel records: Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entrap Him in His words.

Jungerow P.A.

19th centuryCommentator

Following the account of Esther’s ascendance, the sacred writer introduces Mordecai. One day, while sitting at the palace gate, he overheard two eunuchs, named Gabatha and Teresh, conspiring to assassinate the king. He alerted the king through Esther, and upon investigation, the treachery was confirmed, resulting in the execution of the eunuchs. Mordecai's act was recorded in the royal annals (Esther 2:21-23). Ancient historians frequently noted the Persian kings' esteem and preference for eunuchs as their most trustworthy guardians. Many of these monarchs sourced their closest attendants, especially those serving as bodyguards, from eunuchs. Often, these loyal servants paid the ultimate price for their allegiance.

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Xerxes, too, had numerous eunuchs among his protectors, and according to Herodotus, "eunuchs were valued more than their uncastrated counterparts among Eastern peoples for their fidelity in various matters." However, the eunuchs serving King Ahasuerus turned out to be treacherous, conspiring against him. The Hebrew text of Esther does not disclose the motivation behind their malevolence, but Herodotus provides context by highlighting the widespread discontent and resentment towards Xerxes due to the significant losses suffered in his disastrous military campaign in Greece. This animosity resonated with his inner circle, and Gabatha and Teresh became its mouthpieces, ultimately leading to a more serious confrontation with Artabanus. The name of the malevolent eunuch, Teresh, has Persian roots and translates to "sharp" or "hard" in the Persian tongue.

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