Title and Role:
Rab'saris is a title rather than a personal name, appearing in the Old Testament as part of the Assyrian and Babylonian administrative hierarchy. The term "Rab'saris" is often translated as "chief officer" or "chief eunuch," indicating a high-ranking official in the royal court. The title reflects a position of significant authority and influence, often associated with the inner workings of the king's palace and the administration of the kingdom.

Biblical References:
Rab'saris is mentioned in the context of two significant biblical events involving the Assyrian and Babylonian empires.

1. Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 18-19; Isaiah 36-37):
During the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, the Assyrian king Sennacherib sent a delegation to Jerusalem to demand its surrender. Among the officials was Rab'saris, who accompanied the Rabshakeh and the Tartan. The presence of Rab'saris in this delegation underscores the importance of the mission, as these officials were tasked with delivering a message of intimidation and demanding Hezekiah's submission to Assyrian power. The account in 2 Kings 18:17 states: "Then the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rab-saris, and the Rabshakeh with a great army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem."

2. Babylonian Siege of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39):
Rab'saris is also mentioned during the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem under King Nebuchadnezzar. In this context, Rab'saris is one of the Babylonian officials present at the fall of Jerusalem, highlighting the role of high-ranking officials in the administration of conquered territories. Jeremiah 39:3 records: "Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon."

Historical and Cultural Context:
The title Rab'saris reflects the complex administrative structures of ancient Near Eastern empires, where eunuchs often held significant power and influence. As chief officers, they were entrusted with sensitive tasks, including diplomatic missions and the management of royal affairs. The presence of Rab'saris in both Assyrian and Babylonian contexts illustrates the continuity of certain administrative practices across different empires.

Theological Significance:
The mention of Rab'saris in these biblical narratives serves to emphasize the political and military pressures faced by the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The interactions with Assyrian and Babylonian officials highlight the challenges of maintaining faith and obedience to God amidst external threats. The accounts of Rab'saris and his contemporaries remind readers of the sovereignty of God over the nations and His ultimate control over historical events, as seen in the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians and the eventual restoration of the Jewish people after the Babylonian exile.7249. Rab-saris -- perhaps "chief eunuch," an official of the ...
Rab-saris. 7248, 7249. Rab-saris. 7250 . perhaps "chief eunuch," an
official of the Assyr. and Bab. kings. Transliteration: Rab ...
/hebrew/7249.htm - 6k

The Last Agony
... up.3. And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle
gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarse-chim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the last agony.htm

Rab-saris (3 Occurrences)
Rab-saris. Rab'saris, Rab-saris. Rabshakeh . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RAB-SARIS. rab'-sa-ris (rabh-caric): As with Rab-mag ...
/r/rab-saris.htm - 9k

Rab'saris (3 Occurrences)
Rab'saris. Rabsaris, Rab'saris. Rab-saris . Multi-Version Concordance
Rab'saris (3 Occurrences). 2 Kings 18:17 And the king of Assyria ...
/r/rab'saris.htm - 7k

Rab-mag (2 Occurrences)
... All the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, to wit,
Nergal-sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, (the) Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer ...
/r/rab-mag.htm - 8k

Rabsaris (3 Occurrences)
... Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:17; Jeremiah 39:3, 13). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
RAB-SARIS. rab'-sa-ris (rabh-caric): As with Rab-mag ...
/r/rabsaris.htm - 10k

Samgar-nebo (1 Occurrence)
... nebo is correct, the first Nergal-sharezer "should perhaps be dropped; we would
then read: "Samgar-nebo the Sarsechim, Nebushazban the Rab-saris (compare 39:13 ...
/s/samgar-nebo.htm - 8k

Rabmag (2 Occurrences)
... All the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, to wit,
Nergal-sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, (the) Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer ...
/r/rabmag.htm - 9k

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)
... RABSHAKEH. rab'-sha-ke, rab-sha'-ke (rabhshaqeh): A compound word, the first part,
rabh, indicating "head" or "chief" (see RAB-MAG; RAB-SARIS). ...
/r/rabshakeh.htm - 14k

Nergal-sharezer (2 Occurrences)
... 3 that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate,
'to wit', Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer ...
/n/nergal-sharezer.htm - 9k

Nergal-sarezer (2 Occurrences)
... 3 that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate,
to wit , Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer ...
/n/nergal-sarezer.htm - 7k

Samgarnebo (1 Occurrence)
... nebo is correct, the first Nergal-sharezer "should perhaps be dropped; we would
then read: "Samgar-nebo the Sarsechim, Nebushazban the Rab-saris (compare 39:13 ...
/s/samgarnebo.htm - 8k

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