Meaning
Chamberlain cham'-ber-lin: In the Old Testament the word rendered chamberlain, caric, is more properly "eunuch," an officer which oriental monarchs placed over their harems (Est 1:10, Est 1:12, Est 1:15, Est 2:3, Est 2:14, Est 2:21, Est 4:4, Est 6:2, Est 6:14, Est 7:9, 2Ki 23:11). This officer seems also to have had other duties. See under EUNUCH. In the New Testament:
(1) oikonomos, literally manager of the household, apparently the "treasurer" as in the Revised Version (British and American) "Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you" (Ro 16:23). Compare adapted use as applied to Christian apostles and teachers, bishops, and even to individual members; in which cases, rendered "stewards" (1Co 4:1, Tit 1:7, 1Pe 4:10).
(2) In Ac 12:20, "Blastus the king's chamberlain" (ho epi toa koitonos tou basileos, "he who is over the king's bed-chamber"), not treasure-chamber, as above; here praefectus cubiculo, or chief valet de chambre to the royal person, a position involving much honor and intimacy.
Edward Bagby Pollard
