(Hebrews meltsar',
îֶìְöִø
, 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.
Á᾿ìåñóÜñ
, 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 (Dan_1:11; Dan_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
ðáéäáãùãüò
and
ôñïöåýò
, 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.”'