Esther 1 | Biblion Bible Reader

WEB·Esther 2

¹After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.

KJVAfter^H310 these things^H1697, when the wrath^H2534 of king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325 was appeased^H7918^(H8800), he remembered^H2142^(H8804) Vashti^H2060, and what she had done^H6213^(H8804), and what was decreed^H1504^(H8738) against her.

² Then the king’s servants who served him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) the king's^H4428 servants^H5288 that ministered^H8334^(H8764) unto him, Let there be fair^H2896^H4758 young^H5291 virgins^H1330 sought^H1245^(H8762) for the king^H4428:

³ Let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the beautiful young virgins to the citadel of Susa, to the women’s house, to the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be given them;

KJVAnd let the king^H4428 appoint^H6485^(H8686) officers^H6496 in all the provinces^H4082 of his kingdom^H4438, that they may gather together^H6908^(H8799) all the fair^H2896^H4758 young^H5291 virgins^H1330 unto Shushan^H7800 the palace^H1002, to the house^H1004 of the women^H802, unto the custody^H3027 of Hege^H1896 the king's^H4428 chamberlain^H5631, keeper^H8104^(H8802) of the women^H802; and let their things for purification^H8562 be given^H5414^(H8800) them:

⁴ and let the maiden who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” The thing pleased the king, and he did so.

KJVAnd let the maiden^H5291 which pleaseth^H3190^(H8799)^H5869 the king^H4428 be queen^H4427^(H8799) instead of Vashti^H2060. And the thing^H1697 pleased^H3190^(H8799)^H5869 the king^H4428; and he did so^H6213^(H8799).

⁵ There was a certain Jew in the citadel of Susa whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,

KJVNow in Shushan^H7800 the palace^H1002 there was a certain^H376 Jew^H3064, whose name^H8034 was Mordecai^H4782, the son^H1121 of Jair^H2971, the son^H1121 of Shimei^H8096, the son^H1121 of Kish^H7027, a Benjamite^H1145;

⁶ who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.

KJVWho had been carried away^H1540^(H8717) from Jerusalem^H3389 with the captivity^H1473 which had been carried away^H1540^(H8717) with Jeconiah^H3204 king^H4428 of Judah^H3063, whom Nebuchadnezzar^H5019 the king^H4428 of Babylon^H894 had carried away^H1540^(H8689).

⁷ He brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother. The maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.

KJVAnd he brought up^H539^(H8802) Hadassah^H1919, that is, Esther^H635, his uncle's^H1730 daughter^H1323: for she had neither father^H1 nor mother^H517, and the maid^H5291 was fair^H3303^H8389 and beautiful^H2896^H4758; whom Mordecai^H4782, when her father^H1 and mother^H517 were dead^H4194, took^H3947^(H8804) for his own daughter^H1323.

⁸ So, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to the citadel of Susa, to the custody of Hegai, Esther was taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

KJVSo it came to pass, when the king's^H4428 commandment^H1697 and his decree^H1881 was heard^H8085^(H8736), and when many^H7227 maidens^H5291 were gathered together^H6908^(H8736) unto Shushan^H7800 the palace^H1002, to the custody^H3027 of Hegai^H1896, that Esther^H635 was brought^H3947^(H8735) also unto the king's^H4428 house^H1004, to the custody^H3027 of Hegai^H1896, keeper^H8104^(H8802) of the women^H802.

⁹ The maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven choice maidens who were to be given her out of the king’s house. He moved her and her maidens to the best place in the women’s house.

KJVAnd the maiden^H5291 pleased^H3190^(H8799)^H5869 him, and she obtained^H5375^(H8799) kindness^H2617 of him^H6440; and he speedily^H926^(H8762) gave^H5414^(H8800) her her things for purification^H8562, with such things as belonged^H4490 to her, and seven^H7651 maidens^H5291, which were meet^H7200^(H8803) to be given^H5414^(H8800) her, out of the king's^H4428 house^H1004: and he preferred^H8138^(H8762) her and her maids^H5291 unto the best^H2896 place of the house^H1004 of the women^H802.

¹⁰ Esther had not made known her people nor her relatives, because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known.

KJVEsther^H635 had not shewed^H5046^(H8689) her people^H5971 nor her kindred^H4138: for Mordecai^H4782 had charged^H6680^(H8765) her that she should not shew^H5046^(H8686) it.

¹¹ Mordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women’s house, to find out how Esther was doing, and what would become of her.

KJVAnd Mordecai^H4782 walked^H1980^(H8693) every day^H3117 before^H6440 the court^H2691 of the women's^H802 house^H1004, to know^H3045^(H8800) how Esther^H635 did^H7965, and what should become^H6213^(H8735) of her.

¹² Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after her purification for twelve months (for so were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances and with preparations for beautifying women).

KJVNow when every maid's^H5291 turn^H8447 was come^H5060^(H8687) to go in^H935^(H8800) to king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325, after^H7093 that she had been twelve^H8147^H6240 months^H2320, according to the manner^H1881 of the women^H802,(for so were the days^H3117 of their purifications^H4795 accomplished^H4390^(H8799), to wit, six^H8337 months^H2320 with oil^H8081 of myrrh^H4753, and six^H8337 months^H2320 with sweet odours^H1314, and with other things for the purifying^H8562 of the women^H802;)

¹³ The young woman then came to the king like this: whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the women’s house to the king’s house.

KJVThen thus came^H935^(H8802) every maiden^H5291 unto the king^H4428; whatsoever she desired^H559^(H8799) was given^H5414^(H8735) her to go^H935^(H8800) with her out of the house^H1004 of the women^H802 unto the king's^H4428 house^H1004.

¹⁴ In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women’s house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.

KJVIn the evening^H6153 she went^H935^(H8802), and on the morrow^H1242 she returned^H7725^(H8802) into the second^H8145 house^H1004 of the women^H802, to the custody^H3027 of Shaashgaz^H8190, the king's^H4428 chamberlain^H5631, which kept^H8104^(H8802) the concubines^H6370: she came in^H935^(H8799) unto the king^H4428 no more, except the king^H4428 delighted^H2654^(H8804) in her, and that she were called^H7121^(H8738) by name^H8034.

¹⁵ Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her.

KJVNow when the turn^H8447 of Esther^H635, the daughter^H1323 of Abihail^H32 the uncle^H1730 of Mordecai^H4782, who had taken^H3947^(H8804) her for his daughter^H1323, was come^H5060^(H8687) to go in^H935^(H8800) unto the king^H4428, she required^H1245^(H8765) nothing^H1697 but what Hegai^H1896 the king's^H4428 chamberlain^H5631, the keeper^H8104^(H8802) of the women^H802, appointed^H559^(H8799). And Esther^H635 obtained^H5375^(H8802) favour^H2580 in the sight^H5869 of all them that looked^H7200^(H8802) upon her.

¹⁶ So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

KJVSo Esther^H635 was taken^H3947^(H8735) unto king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325 into his house^H1004 royal^H4438 in the tenth^H6224 month^H2320, which is the month^H2320 Tebeth^H2887, in the seventh^H7651 year^H8141 of his reign^H4438.

¹⁷ The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

KJVAnd the king^H4428 loved^H157^(H8799) Esther^H635 above all the women^H802, and she obtained^H5375^(H8799) grace^H2580 and favour^H2617 in his sight^H6440 more than all the virgins^H1330; so that he set^H7760^(H8799) the royal^H4438 crown^H3804 upon her head^H7218, and made her queen^H4427^(H8686) instead of Vashti^H2060.

¹⁸ Then the king made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces, and gave gifts according to the king’s bounty.

KJVThen the king^H4428 made^H6213^(H8799) a great^H1419 feast^H4960 unto all his princes^H8269 and his servants^H5650, even Esther's^H635 feast^H4960; and he made^H6213^(H8804) a release^H2010 to the provinces^H4082, and gave^H5414^(H8799) gifts^H4864, according to the state^H3027 of the king^H4428.

¹⁹ When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate.

KJVAnd when the virgins^H1330 were gathered together^H6908^(H8736) the second time^H8145, then Mordecai^H4782 sat^H3427^(H8802) in the king's^H4428 gate^H8179.

²⁰ Esther had not yet made known her relatives nor her people, as Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai, like she did when she was brought up by him.

KJVEsther^H635 had not yet shewed^H5046^(H8688) her kindred^H4138 nor her people^H5971; as Mordecai^H4782 had charged^H6680^(H8765) her: for Esther^H635 did^H6213^(H8802) the commandment^H3982 of Mordecai^H4782, like as when she was brought up^H545 with him.

²¹ In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers, were angry, and sought to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus.

KJVIn those days^H3117, while Mordecai^H4782 sat^H3427^(H8802) in the king's^H4428 gate^H8179, two^H8147 of the king's^H4428 chamberlains^H5631, Bigthan^H904 and Teresh^H8657, of those which kept^H8104^(H8802) the door^H5592, were wroth^H7107^(H8804), and sought^H1245^(H8762) to lay^H7971^(H8800) hand^H3027 on the king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325.

²² This thing became known to Mordecai, who informed Esther the queen; and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name.

KJVAnd the thing^H1697 was known^H3045^(H8735) to Mordecai^H4782, who told^H5046^(H8686) it unto Esther^H635 the queen^H4436; and Esther^H635 certified^H559^(H8799) the king^H4428 thereof in Mordecai's^H4782 name^H8034.

²³ When this matter was investigated, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the king’s presence.

KJVAnd when inquisition^H1245^(H8792) was made of the matter^H1697, it was found out^H4672^(H8735); therefore they were both^H8147 hanged^H8518^(H8735) on a tree^H6086: and it was written^H3789^(H8735) in the book^H5612 of the chronicles^H1697^H3117 before^H6440 the king^H4428.

WEB·Esther 1

¹Now in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces),

KJVNow it came to pass in the days^H3117 of Ahasuerus^H325,(this is Ahasuerus^H325 which reigned^H4427^(H8802), from India^H1912 even unto Ethiopia^H3568, over an hundred^H3967 and seven^H7651 and twenty^H6242 provinces^H4082:)

² in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Susa the palace,

KJVThat in those days^H3117, when the king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325 sat^H3427^(H8800) on the throne^H3678 of his kingdom^H4438, which was in Shushan^H7800 the palace^H1002,

³ in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces being before him.

KJVIn the third^H7969 year^H8141 of his reign^H4427^(H8800), he made^H6213^(H8804) a feast^H4960 unto all his princes^H8269 and his servants^H5650; the power^H2428 of Persia^H6539 and Media^H4074, the nobles^H6579 and princes^H8269 of the provinces^H4082, being before^H6440 him:

⁴ He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days.

KJVWhen he shewed^H7200^(H8687) the riches^H6239 of his glorious^H3519 kingdom^H4438 and the honour^H3366 of his excellent^H8597 majesty^H1420 many^H7227 days^H3117, even an hundred^H3967 and fourscore^H8084 days^H3117.

⁵ When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Susa the palace, both great and small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

KJVAnd when these days^H3117 were expired^H4390^(H8800), the king^H4428 made^H6213^(H8804) a feast^H4960 unto all the people^H5971 that were present^H4672^(H8737) in Shushan^H7800 the palace^H1002, both unto great^H1419 and small^H6996, seven^H7651 days^H3117, in the court^H2691 of the garden^H1594 of the king's^H4428 palace^H1055;

⁶ There were hangings of white and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.

KJVWhere were white^H2353, green^H3768, and blue^H8504, hangings, fastened^H270^(H8803) with cords^H2256 of fine linen^H948 and purple^H713 to silver^H3701 rings^H1550 and pillars^H5982 of marble^H8336: the beds^H4296 were of gold^H2091 and silver^H3701, upon a pavement^H7531 of red^H923, and blue^H8504, and white^H1858, and black^H5508, marble^H8336.

⁷ They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king.

KJVAnd they gave them drink^H8248^(H8687) in vessels^H3627 of gold^H2091,(the vessels^H3627 being diverse^H8138^(H8802) one from another^H3627,) and royal^H4438 wine^H3196 in abundance^H7227, according to the state^H3027 of the king^H4428.

⁸ In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.

KJVAnd the drinking^H8360 was according to the law^H1881; none did compel^H597^(H8802): for so the king^H4428 had appointed^H3245^(H8765) to all the officers^H7227 of his house^H1004, that they should do^H6213^(H8800) according to every man's^H376 pleasure^H7522.

⁹ Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.

KJVAlso Vashti^H2060 the queen^H4436 made^H6213^(H8804) a feast^H4960 for the women^H802 in the royal^H4438 house^H1004 which belonged to king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325.

¹⁰ On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

KJVOn the seventh^H7637 day^H3117, when the heart^H3820 of the king^H4428 was merry^H2896 with wine^H3196, he commanded^H559^(H8804) Mehuman^H4104, Biztha^H968, Harbona^H2726, Bigtha^H903, and Abagtha^H5, Zethar^H2242, and Carcas^H3752, the seven^H7651 chamberlains^H5631 that served^H8334^(H8764) in the presence^H6440 of Ahasuerus^H325 the king^H4428,

¹¹ to bring Vashti the queen before the king wearing the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful.

KJVTo bring^H935^(H8687) Vashti^H2060 the queen^H4436 before^H6440 the king^H4428 with the crown^H3804 royal^H4438, to shew^H7200^(H8687) the people^H5971 and the princes^H8269 her beauty^H3308: for she was fair^H2896 to look on^H4758.

¹² But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him.

KJVBut the queen^H4436 Vashti^H2060 refused^H3985^(H8762) to come^H935^(H8800) at the king's^H4428 commandment^H1697 by^H3027 his chamberlains^H5631: therefore was the king^H4428 very^H3966 wroth^H7107^(H8799), and his anger^H2534 burned^H1197^(H8804) in him.

¹³ Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgment;

KJVThen the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) to the wise men^H2450, which knew^H3045^(H8802) the times^H6256,(for so was the king's^H4428 manner^H1697 toward^H6440 all that knew^H3045^(H8802) law^H1881 and judgment^H1779:

¹⁴ and next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat first in the kingdom),

KJVAnd the next^H7138 unto him was Carshena^H3771, Shethar^H8369, Admatha^H133, Tarshish^H8659, Meres^H4825, Marsena^H4826, and Memucan^H4462, the seven^H7651 princes^H8269 of Persia^H6539 and Media^H4074, which saw^H7200^(H8802) the king's^H4428 face^H6440, and which sat^H3427^(H8802) the first^H7223 in the kingdom^H4438;)

¹⁵ “What shall we do to Queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of the King Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?”

KJVWhat shall we do^H6213^(H8800) unto the queen^H4436 Vashti^H2060 according to law^H1881, because she hath not performed^H6213^(H8804) the commandment^H3982 of the king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325 by^H3027 the chamberlains^H5631?

¹⁶ Memucan answered before the king and the princes, “Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus.

KJVAnd Memucan^H4462 answered^H559^(H8799) before^H6440 the king^H4428 and the princes^H8269, Vashti^H2060 the queen^H4436 hath not done wrong^H5753^(H8804) to the king^H4428 only, but also to all the princes^H8269, and to all the people^H5971 that are in all the provinces^H4082 of the king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325.

¹⁷ For this deed of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to show contempt for their husbands when it is reported, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she didn’t come.’

KJVFor this deed^H1697 of the queen^H4436 shall come abroad^H3318^(H8799) unto all women^H802, so that they shall despise^H959^(H8687) their husbands^H1167 in their eyes^H5869, when it shall be reported^H559^(H8800), The king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325 commanded^H559^(H8804) Vashti^H2060 the queen^H4436 to be brought in^H935^(H8687) before^H6440 him, but she came^H935^(H8804) not.

¹⁸ Today, the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s deed will tell all the king’s princes. This will cause much contempt and wrath.

KJVLikewise shall the ladies^H8282 of Persia^H6539 and Media^H4074 say^H559^(H8799) this day^H3117 unto all the king's^H4428 princes^H8269, which have heard^H8085^(H8804) of the deed^H1697 of the queen^H4436. Thus shall there arise too much^H1767 contempt^H963 and wrath^H7110.

¹⁹ “If it pleases the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be altered, that Vashti may never again come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she.

KJVIf it please^H2895^(H8804) the king^H4428, let there go^H3318^(H8799) a royal^H4438 commandment^H1697 from him^H6440, and let it be written^H3789^(H8735) among the laws^H1881 of the Persians^H6539 and the Medes^H4074, that it be not altered^H5674^(H8799), That Vashti^H2060 come^H935^(H8799) no more before^H6440 king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325; and let the king^H4428 give^H5414^(H8799) her royal estate^H4438 unto another^H7468 that is better^H2896 than she.

²⁰ When the king’s decree which he shall make is published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give their husbands honor, both great and small.”

KJVAnd when the king's^H4428 decree^H6599 which he shall make^H6213^(H8799) shall be published^H8085^(H8738) throughout all his empire^H4438,(for it is great^H7227,) all the wives^H802 shall give^H5414^(H8799) to their husbands^H1167 honour^H3366, both to great^H1419 and small^H6996.

²¹ This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

KJVAnd the saying^H1697 pleased^H3190^(H8799)^H5869 the king^H4428 and the princes^H8269; and the king^H4428 did^H6213^(H8799) according to the word^H1697 of Memucan^H4462:

²² for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, that every man should rule his own house, speaking in the language of his own people.

KJVFor he sent^H7971^(H8799) letters^H5612 into all the king's^H4428 provinces^H4082, into every province^H4082 according to the writing^H3791 thereof, and to every people^H5971 after their language^H3956, that every man^H376 should bear rule^H8323^(H8802) in his own house^H1004, and that it should be published^H1696^(H8764) according to the language^H3956 of every people^H5971.

Section titles come from the Biblion commentary, not from Scripture.

You can also read or listen to the Introduction to the book of Esther.