Subject: Why was Nehemiah afraid? |
Bible Note: Excellent answers both prayon and Debbie (glory777)! Here is some more information on a 'Cup-bearer'.. "Cup-bearer: An officer of high rank with Egyptian, Persian, Assyrian, and Jewish monarchs. The cup-bearer of the king of Egypt is mentioned in connection with Joseph’s history (Gen. 40:1-21; 41:9). Rabshakeh (q.v.) was cup-bearer in the Assyrian court (2 Kings 18:17). Nehemiah filled this office to the king of Persia (Neh. 1:11). We read also of Solomon’s cup-bearers (1 Kings 10:5; 2 Chr. 9:4)." (Easton's Bible Dictionary) "CUPBEARER A high ranking official in the courts of Ancient Near Eastern kings. The cupbearer was responsible for serving wine at the king’s table and protecting the king from poisoning. The cupbearer was often taken into the king’s confidence and had no small amount of influence on the king’s decisions. The “chief butler” of the Joseph story (Gen. 40:2) was a cupbearer who was overseer of a staff of his own. Nehemiah was the highly esteemed cupbearer for Artaxerxes (Neh. 1:11; see also 1 Kings 10:5; 2 Chron. 9:4). The Rabshakeh may have been the title given to cupbearers in the Assyrian court (2 Kings 18:17-37; Isa. 36:2)." (Holman Bible Dictionary) Nolan! |