The term "Rabsaris" is a title rather than a personal name, appearing in the Old Testament as part of the Assyrian and Babylonian administrative hierarchy. The title is often translated as "chief officer" or "chief eunuch," indicating a high-ranking official in the royal court. The Rabsaris played a significant role in the political and military affairs of the ancient Near East, particularly in the context of Assyrian and Babylonian interactions with the Kingdom of Judah.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Kings 18:17 : The Rabsaris is mentioned during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. In this passage, the Assyrian king Sennacherib sends a delegation to Jerusalem, which includes the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh. "Then the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh with a great army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They advanced and came to a stop at the aqueduct of the upper pool, by the road to the Launderer’s Field."

2. Jeremiah 39:3 : The Rabsaris is also mentioned in the context of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. When the city falls, several Babylonian officials, including the Rabsaris, enter the city. "Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon."

Historical Context:

The role of the Rabsaris was significant in the administration and military operations of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. As a high-ranking official, the Rabsaris would have been involved in diplomatic missions, military campaigns, and possibly the management of palace affairs. The presence of the Rabsaris in both Assyrian and Babylonian contexts suggests a continuity of administrative practices across these empires.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of the Rabsaris in the biblical narrative underscores the sovereignty of God over the nations. Despite the power and influence of Assyrian and Babylonian officials, the biblical text consistently portrays the ultimate authority of God in the affairs of human history. The interactions between these foreign officials and the Kingdom of Judah serve as a backdrop for demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even amidst political and military turmoil.

Cultural and Linguistic Notes:

The title "Rabsaris" is derived from Akkadian, the language of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. The term reflects the complex bureaucratic systems of these ancient civilizations, where titles denoted specific roles and ranks within the government. The use of such titles in the biblical text provides insight into the historical and cultural context of the Near East during the time of the biblical narrative.

In summary, the Rabsaris is a key figure in the biblical accounts of Assyrian and Babylonian interactions with Judah, representing the political and military might of these empires while also highlighting the overarching theme of divine sovereignty in the biblical narrative.Rabsaris

(chief of the eunuchs).

1. An officer of the king of Assyria sent up with Tartan and Rabshakeh against Jerusalem in the time of Hezekiah. (2 Kings 18:17) (B.C. 713.)
2. One of the princes of Nebuchadnezzar, who was present at the capture of Jerusalem, B.C. 588. (Jeremiah 39:3,13) Rabsaris is probably rather the name of an office than of an individual.

Chief of the Heads, one of the three officers whom Sennacherib sent from Lachish with a threatening message to Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:17; Jeremiah 39:3, 13). RAB-SARIS

rab'-sa-ris (rabh-caric): As with Rab-mag, which is not regarded as a name, but a title, so this is to be regarded as a descriptive title for the person whose name precedes it (see RAB-MAG). The first part, rabh, signifies "great" or "chief," the second, caric, is the title for eunuch or chamberlain. The translation then would be chief eunuch or the chief of the eunuchs (or chamberlains).

The oriental custom was for the king to surround himself with a number of eunuchs, who performed varied kinds of services, both menial and dignified. They usually had charge of his harem; sometimes they occupied court positions. Frequently they superintended the education of the youth. The term itself was sometimes used to designate persons in places of trust who were not emasculated. The above title describes the highest or chief in rank of these eunuchs.

See EUNUCH.

The full title is used 3 times, once in connection with the titles of other important officers who were sent by the king of Assyria with a large army to demand the surrender of Jerusalem. The passage would be translated properly, `And the king of Assyria sent the Tartan and the Rab-saris (the chief eunuch) and the Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah' (2 Kings 18:17). Again, it refers to a Babylonian whose real name was Sarsechim, who with the other Babylonian princes sat in the middle gate during the capture of Jerusalem. This event is described as having occurred in the 11th year of Zedekiah, king of Judah (Jeremiah 39:3). The third use is in connection with the name Nebushazban, who, with the other chief officers of the king of Babylon, sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard and committed him to Gedaliah, who was to take him home to dwell with his own people (Jeremiah 39:13).

Thus, it is seen that based upon this accepted theory the three titles would be in their connections as follows:

(1) simply "the chief eunuch,"

(2) Sarsechim, the Rab-saris (or chief eunuch), and

(3) Nebushazban, the Rab-saris (or chief eunuch).

See also ASSYRIA, sec. X.

Walter G. Clippinger

How the King of Babylon Took Jerusalem and Burnt the Temple and ...
... names of these generals who ravaged and subdued Jerusalem, if any one desire to
know them, were these: Nergal Sharezer, Samgar Nebo, Rabsaris, Sorsechim, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how the king.htm

How Sennacherib Made an Expedition against Hezekiah; What
... with great forces, to destroy Jerusalem. The names of the two other
commanders were Tartan and Rabsaris. 2. Now as soon as they ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how sennacherib made.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... saki, Rab-shakeh, or vizier, who ranked a little below him, was the head of the
civil officials; besides him we hear of the Rab-sa-resi or Rabsaris, "the chief ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Rabsaris (3 Occurrences)
...Rabsaris (3 Occurrences). 2 Kings 18:17 The king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris
and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army to Jerusalem. ...
/r/rabsaris.htm - 10k

Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences)
... 3 And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate,
even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag ...
/n/nergalsharezer.htm - 9k

Nebushasban (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Adorer of Nebo, or Nebo saves me, the "Rabsaris,"
or chief chamberlain, of the court of Babylon. He was ...
/n/nebushasban.htm - 7k

Nergal (3 Occurrences)
... 39:3 that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle
gate, to wit, Nergal Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer ...
/n/nergal.htm - 8k

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)
... Rabshakeh was one of the officers sent by Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, with
the Tartan and the Rabsaris to demand the surrender of Jerusalem, which was ...
/r/rabshakeh.htm - 14k

Rabmag (2 Occurrences)
... 39:3 that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle
gate, to wit, Nergal Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer ...
/r/rabmag.htm - 9k

Sharezer (5 Occurrences)
... 39:3 that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle
gate, to wit, Nergal Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer ...
/s/sharezer.htm - 10k

Officer (70 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). 2 Kings 18:17 The king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh
from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army to Jerusalem. ...
/o/officer.htm - 30k

Rab-mag (2 Occurrences)
Rab-mag. Rabmag, Rab-mag. Rabsaris . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia RAB-MAG.
rab'-mag (rabh-magh;. ... Rabmag, Rab-mag. Rabsaris . Reference Bible.
/r/rab-mag.htm - 8k

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