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 (Esther 1:10, Esther 1:12, Esther 1:15, Esther 2:3, Esther 2:14, Esther 2:21, Esther 4:4, Esther 6:2, Esther 6:14, Esther 7:9, 2 Kings 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" (Romans 16:23). Compare adapted use as applied to Christian apostles and teachers, bishops, and even to individual members; in which cases, rendered "stewards" (1 Corinthians 4:1, Titus 1:7, 1 Peter 4:10).
(2) In Acts 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