Bigthan and Teresh
A person in the Bible. Also called Bigthan, Teresh, Bigthana, Bigthan and Teresh.
| Classification | Biblical figures |
|---|---|
| Era | Reign of the Persian king Ahasuerus (many date this to around the 5th century BC, though scholars differ on the chronology) |
| Related Figures | Ahasuerus, Mordecai, Esther |
| Biblical References | Esther 2:21–23; 6:2 |
Bigthan and Teresh were two eunuchs of the Persian king Ahasuerus who appear in the Book of Esther. They plotted to kill the king but were executed after Mordecai exposed their conspiracy.
About this articleAI draft from a Korean source. Notes on Korean Protestant practice. No sources listed. Not yet reviewed by a person.
- Origin
Drafted by AI from the Korean church.wiki article, then translated and adapted for English readers on 5 November 2026.
- Perspective
Includes notes on Korean Protestant practice; other traditions are noted where they differ.
- Sources
None listed yet. The article draws on the biblical text and general reference works. Add a source
- Review
Not yet reviewed by a person. Last edited by a person: never. Translation updated 5 November 2026. Edit history
Biblical Account
The two men appear in Esther 2:21–23. They were eunuchs (attendant officials who served in the royal palace) who kept the door in the palace of King Ahasuerus. They bore a grudge against the king and sought to kill him, but Mordecai, who was sitting in the king's gate, learned of the plot. Mordecai told Queen Esther, and Esther reported it to the king in Mordecai's name. When the matter was investigated, the conspiracy was confirmed, and the two men "were both hanged on a tree" (Esther 2:23). The incident was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. The text does not explain why they bore a grudge against the king.
The incident is mentioned again in Esther 6:2, where Bigthan's name appears in a variant form, Bigthana. Unable to sleep, the king has the book of the chronicles read and comes upon the record of Mordecai's exposure of the plot. Learning that Mordecai has not yet received any reward, the king resolves to honor him.
Significance Within Scripture
The incident serves as foreshadowing in the narrative of Esther. Mordecai's service is recorded and then forgotten, only to come to light at the very moment when Haman is seeking to harm him; as a result, the situation is reversed. Because the Book of Esther never mentions the name of God directly, many interpreters read this convergence of seemingly coincidental events as a portrayal of God's providence. The New Testament does not mention the two men.
Interpretation and Issues
- Their method of execution, being "hanged on a tree," is understood by some as hanging and by others, in light of Persian custom, as impalement on a stake.
- Jewish tradition (including the Talmud) is said to preserve an account in which the two men plotted to poison the king while speaking in a foreign language, which Mordecai understood. This detail is not found in the biblical text.
- The additions attached to the Septuagint version of Esther include a second account of the two eunuchs' conspiracy near the beginning of the book. The Catholic Church includes these additions in Scripture, while Protestants do not regard them as canonical.
Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this figure is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.
In Korean churches, the two men are discussed mainly in expository sermons on Esther. They are often mentioned in connection with "the night the king could not sleep" in chapter 6 and are frequently used to illustrate the theme that forgotten good deeds come to light in God's time. They are not central characters in the story, and in Sunday school they are introduced briefly as part of the story of Mordecai and Esther.
Where Bigthan and Teresh appears
Two passages in the King James Version. Each opens in the Bible with a way back to this article.
See also 7
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