Esther 2 | Biblion Bible Reader

WEB·Esther 3

¹After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.

KJVAfter^H310 these things^H1697 did king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325 promote^H1431^(H8765) Haman^H2001 the son^H1121 of Hammedatha^H4099 the Agagite^H91, and advanced^H5375^(H8762) him, and set^H7760^(H8799) his seat^H3678 above all the princes^H8269 that were with him.

² All the king’s servants who were in the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai didn’t bow down or pay him homage.

KJVAnd all the king's^H4428 servants^H5650, that were in the king's^H4428 gate^H8179, bowed^H3766^(H8802), and reverenced^H7812^(H8693) Haman^H2001: for the king^H4428 had so commanded^H6680^(H8765) concerning him. But Mordecai^H4782 bowed^H3766^(H8799) not, nor did him reverence^H7812^(H8691).

³ Then the king’s servants who were in the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s commandment?”

KJVThen the king's^H4428 servants^H5650, which were in the king's^H4428 gate^H8179, said^H559^(H8799) unto Mordecai^H4782, Why transgressest^H5674^(H8802) thou the king's^H4428 commandment^H4687?

⁴ Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he didn’t listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.

KJVNow it came to pass, when they spake^H559^(H8800) daily^H3117^H3117 unto him, and he hearkened^H8085^(H8804) not unto them, that they told^H5046^(H8686) Haman^H2001, to see^H7200^(H8800) whether Mordecai's^H4782 matters^H1697 would stand^H5975^(H8799): for he had told^H5046^(H8689) them that he was a Jew^H3064.

⁵ When Haman saw that Mordecai didn’t bow down nor pay him homage, Haman was full of wrath.

KJVAnd when Haman^H2001 saw^H7200^(H8799) that Mordecai^H4782 bowed^H3766^(H8802) not, nor did him reverence^H7812^(H8693), then was Haman^H2001 full^H4390^(H8735) of wrath^H2534.

⁶ But he scorned the thought of laying hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him Mordecai’s people. Therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even Mordecai’s people.

KJVAnd he thought^H5869 scorn^H959^(H8799) to lay^H7971^(H8800) hands^H3027 on Mordecai^H4782 alone; for they had shewed^H5046^(H8689) him the people^H5971 of Mordecai^H4782: wherefore Haman^H2001 sought^H1245^(H8762) to destroy^H8045^(H8687) all the Jews^H3064 that were throughout the whole kingdom^H4438 of Ahasuerus^H325, even the people^H5971 of Mordecai^H4782.

⁷ In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, and chose the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

KJVIn the first^H7223 month^H2320, that is, the month^H2320 Nisan^H5212, in the twelfth^H8147^H6240 year^H8141 of king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325, they cast^H5307^(H8689) Pur^H6332, that is, the lot^H1486, before^H6440 Haman^H2001 from day^H3117 to day^H3117, and from month^H2320 to month^H2320, to the twelfth^H8147^H6240 month, that is, the month^H2320 Adar^H143.

⁸ Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws are different from other people’s. They don’t keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not for the king’s profit to allow them to remain.

KJVAnd Haman^H2001 said^H559^(H8799) unto king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325, There is^H3426 a certain^H259 people^H5971 scattered abroad^H6340^(H8794) and dispersed^H6504^(H8794) among the people^H5971 in all the provinces^H4082 of thy kingdom^H4438; and their laws^H1881 are diverse^H8138^(H8802) from all people^H5971; neither keep^H6213^(H8802) they the king's^H4428 laws^H1881: therefore it is not for the king's^H4428 profit^H7737^(H8802) to suffer^H3240^(H8687) them.

⁹ If it pleases the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who are in charge of the king’s business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.”

KJVIf it please^H2895^(H8804) the king^H4428, let it be written^H3789^(H8735) that they may be destroyed^H6^(H8763): and I will pay^H8254^(H8799) ten^H6235 thousand^H505 talents^H3603 of silver^H3701 to the hands^H3027 of those that have the charge^H6213^(H8802) of the business^H4399, to bring^H935^(H8687) it into the king's^H4428 treasuries^H1595.

¹⁰ The king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.

KJVAnd the king^H4428 took^H5493^(H8686) his ring^H2885 from his hand^H3027, and gave^H5414^(H8799) it unto Haman^H2001 the son^H1121 of Hammedatha^H4099 the Agagite^H91, the Jews^H3064' enemy^H6887^(H8802).

¹¹ The king said to Haman, “The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”

KJVAnd the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) unto Haman^H2001, The silver^H3701 is given^H5414^(H8803) to thee, the people^H5971 also, to do^H6213^(H8800) with them as it seemeth^H5869 good^H2896 to thee.

¹² Then the king’s scribes were called in on the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to the king’s local governors, and to the governors who were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus, and it was sealed with the king’s ring.

KJVThen were the king's^H4428 scribes^H5608^(H8802) called^H7121^(H8735) on the thirteenth^H7969^H6240 day^H3117 of the first^H7223 month^H2320, and there was written^H3789^(H8735) according to all that Haman^H2001 had commanded^H6680^(H8765) unto the king's^H4428 lieutenants^H323, and to the governors^H6346 that were over every province^H4082, and to the rulers^H8269 of every people^H5971 of every province^H4082 according to the writing^H3791 thereof, and to every people^H5971 after their language^H3956; in the name^H8034 of king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325 was it written^H3789^(H8737), and sealed^H2856^(H8738) with the king's^H4428 ring^H2885.

¹³ Letters were sent by couriers into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to plunder their possessions.

KJVAnd the letters^H5612 were sent^H7971^(H8736) by^H3027 posts^H7323^(H8801) into all the king's^H4428 provinces^H4082, to destroy^H8045^(H8687), to kill^H2026^(H8800), and to cause to perish^H6^(H8763), all Jews^H3064, both young^H5288 and old^H2205, little children^H2945 and women^H802, in one^H259 day^H3117, even upon the thirteenth^H7969^H6240 day of the twelfth^H8147^H6240 month^H2320, which is the month^H2320 Adar^H143, and to take the spoil^H7998 of them for a prey^H962^(H8800).

¹⁴ A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published to all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day.

KJVThe copy^H6572 of the writing^H3791 for a commandment^H1881 to be given^H5414^(H8736) in every province^H4082 was published^H1540^(H8803) unto all people^H5971, that they should be ready^H6264 against that day^H3117.

¹⁵ The couriers went out in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given out in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Susa was perplexed.

KJVThe posts^H7323^(H8801) went out^H3318^(H8804), being hastened^H1765^(H8803) by the king's^H4428 commandment^H1697, and the decree^H1881 was given^H5414^(H8738) in Shushan^H7800 the palace^H1002. And the king^H4428 and Haman^H2001 sat down^H3427^(H8804) to drink^H8354^(H8800); but the city^H5892 Shushan^H7800 was perplexed^H943^(H8737).

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.

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

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