CHAMBERLAIN*

Originally, a royal official in charge of the private quarters of the king. They sometimes had other significant tasks and had great influence with those in authority (Acts 12:20). The chamberlain Erastus (Rom 16:23, kjv) was actually the city treasurer. Nathan-melech the chamberlain (2 Kgs 23:11) was a court official at the time of Josiah. The Persian kings used eunuchs as chamberlains (Est 1:10, 12, 15; 2:3, 14-15; 4:4-5; 6:2, 14; 7:9).