Butler
/BUT-ler/
Summary
A royal officer responsible for serving wine to the king, a position of considerable importance and trust in ancient courts.
☩Role and Significance
The butler or cupbearer (Hebrew 'mashqeh') held an honorable and important position in royal households. The office required great trust because of the constant danger of poisoning attempts against the king. The cupbearer would taste the wine before serving it to ensure its safety.
Key verses:Genesis 40:1-23Nehemiah 1:11
☩Biblical Examples
Pharaoh's chief butler was imprisoned alongside Joseph and later restored to his position after Joseph interpreted his dream. Nehemiah held this position under King Artaxerxes of Persia, and his trusted relationship with the king enabled him to request permission to rebuild Jerusalem.
Key verses:Genesis 40:9-13Nehemiah 2:1
Related Verses11 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Butler," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Butler," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Butler," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).