### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun κοιτών (G2846) fundamentally denotes a "bedroom" or "private chamber." It is derived from the word κοίτη (koitē, `{{G2845}}`), which means "a bed," "couch," or, by extension, "sexual intercourse" or "conception." Thus, κοιτών specifically refers to the *place* where a bed is found, emphasizing a private, often intimate, space within a dwelling. The extended definition, "+ chamberlain," is a metonymic usage, referring to an official who has charge over the royal bed-chamber or private apartments. This individual would typically be a trusted servant, often a eunuch, with significant access to and influence over the monarch's most private affairs. This semantic shift from place to person in charge of the place is a common linguistic phenomenon.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κοιτών (G2846) appears only once in the New Testament:
* [[Acts 12:20]]: "And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's *chamberlain* their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country."
In this passage, κοιτών is translated as "chamberlain," specifically "τοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ κοιτῶνος τοῦ βασιλέως" (the one over the king's κοιτών). Blastus is identified as the "king's chamberlain," indicating a position of considerable influence and trust. His role as the one in charge of Herod's private chambers granted him unique access to the king, enabling the delegates from Tyre and Sidon to secure an audience and negotiate peace. This usage highlights the power and strategic importance of individuals who managed the most private aspects of a ruler's life, often acting as crucial intermediaries in political affairs.
### Related Words & Concepts
* κοίτη (koitē, `{{G2845}}`): The root word, meaning "bed," "marriage bed," or "sexual intercourse." This connection underscores the private and potentially intimate nature implied by κοιτών.
* κλίνη (klinē, `{{G2825}}`): A more general term for a couch or bed. While κλίνη refers to the furniture, κοιτών refers specifically to the room or chamber containing it, emphasizing the space's privacy.
* οἶκος (oikos, `{{G3624}}`) or οἰκία (oikia, `{{G3614}}`): General terms for a house or dwelling. κοιτών is a specific, private room *within* such a larger structure.
* ταμεῖον (tameion, `{{G5009}}`): An inner chamber, storeroom, or private room, often used for seclusion or prayer ([[Matthew 6:6]]). While also a private space, ταμεῖον emphasizes storage or withdrawal, whereas κοιτών specifically denotes a sleeping chamber, often with implications of personal intimacy.
* Concepts: Privacy, intimacy, trust, access to power (particularly in the "chamberlain" sense), personal space, and the sanctity of the marital bed.
### Theological Significance
Although κοιτών appears only once in the New Testament, and then in its metonymic sense as "chamberlain," its underlying meaning of a "bedroom" or "private chamber" still resonates with broader biblical themes. The "chamberlain" role in [[Acts 12:20]] illustrates how individuals in positions of close access to power can be instrumental in God's providential plan, even when their actions are driven by political or economic necessity. Blastus's influence facilitated a peace that was beneficial for the regions involved, an outcome that aligns with God's overarching design for human interaction and societal order.
Furthermore, while κοιτών itself does not directly convey moral instruction in [[Acts 12:20]], its root κοίτη (`{{G2845}}`) is often used in contexts concerning sexual purity and the sanctity of marriage ([[Romans 13:13]], [[Hebrews 13:4]]). The "bedroom" (κοιτών) is the setting for these actions, implicitly carrying the weight of the moral responsibilities and divine commands associated with the marriage bed. This subtle connection reminds us of the biblical concern for what transpires in private spaces and the importance of purity even in one's most intimate moments. The concept of a private chamber can also evoke ideas of personal devotion and solitude, echoing Jesus' teaching to pray in one's "inner room" (ταμεῖον, `{{G5009}}`) in [[Matthew 6:6]], highlighting the value of a dedicated, private space for intimate communion with God.
### Summary
The Greek word κοιτών (G2846) primarily signifies a "bedroom" or "private chamber," deriving from κοίτη (`{{G2845}}`), "bed." Its singular New Testament occurrence in [[Acts 12:20]] employs the term metonymically to describe a "chamberlain," an official responsible for the king's private quarters. This usage underscores the significant access and trust inherent in such a position. While κοιτών does not offer direct theological teaching in its biblical context, its semantic origin connects to broader biblical themes of privacy, the sanctity of personal and marital intimacy (as seen with its root, κοίτη), and the often unseen influence of individuals in positions of close proximity to power within God's providential working. The word thus points to both the physical reality of a private space and the profound, sometimes hidden, roles played by those who manage or inhabit such spaces.
TRV