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Bible Encyclopedias
Melzar
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (Hebrews meltsar', מֶלְצִר, prob. from the Pers. master of wine, i.e. chief butler; so Bohlen, Symbol. p. 22; others, treasurer), the title rather than the name of an officer in the Babylonian court (as in the margin, "steward," but Sept. Ἀμερσάρ, on account of the Hebrews art., Vulg. Malasar), being that of the person who had charge of the diet of the Hebrew youths in training for promotion as magi (Daniel 1:11; Daniel 1:16; comp. Lengerke, Stuart, Comment. ad loc.). "The melzar was subordinate to the ‘ master of the eunuchs;' his office was to superintend the nurture and education of the young; he thus combined the duties of the Greek παιδαγωγός and τροφεύς, and more nearly resembles our ‘ tutor' than any other officer. As to the origin of the term, there is some doubt; it is generally regarded as of Persian origin, the words mal cara giving the sense of ‘ head cup-bearer;' Furst (Lex. s.v.) suggests its connection with the Hebrew nazar, ‘ to guard."'
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Melzar'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/m/melzar.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
