Teresh תֶּ֫רֶשׁ
Persian official who plotted against King Ahasuerus
Who is Teresh in the Bible?
Teresh was a Persian eunuch and palace official who served at the door of King Ahasuerus' palace during the Persian Empire. According to the book of Esther, Teresh conspired with another official named Bigthan to assassinate the king, though the Bible does not reveal their motives (Esther 2:21). Mordecai discovered the plot and reported it to Queen Esther, who informed the king, and the conspiracy was investigated and confirmed (Esther 6:2). Both Teresh and Bigthan were executed on the gallows for their treason, and Mordecai's role in exposing the plot was recorded in the king's chronicles. This event became significant to the overall narrative of Esther, as it established Mordecai's loyalty to the king and set the stage for later developments in the story.
Biography
Teresh is mentioned in Est.2.21 and Est.6.2 as one of two eunuchs who served at the door of King Ahasuerus' palace. Along with Bigthan, Teresh plotted to assassinate the king for unknown reasons. However, their plot was discovered by Mordecai, who informed Queen Esther. The matter was investigated and found to be true, leading to the execution of Bigthan and Teresh on the gallows. Mordecai's deed was recorded in the king's chronicles.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEsther 2 verses
- Esther 2:21
"In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, grew angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes."
Study Esther → - Esther 6:2
"And there it was found recorded that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the king’s entrance, when they had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes."
Study Esther →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | תֶּ֫רֶשׁ |
Teresh
harras): A chamberlain of King Ahasuerus. Oppert compares the name with Tiri-dates, the name of the governor of Persepolis in the time of Alexander. Another explanation identifies it with the Persian word turs "firm"; Scheft links it with the Persian tarsha, "desire."
ter'-as (mecillah): Solomon is said, in 2Ch 9:11, to have made of the algum trees brought him from Ophir "terraces," or raised walks, for the house of Yahweh. In the parallel <ref