Category Archives: ESTHER

The Banquets of the King 1 It was in the days of Ahasuerus (Xerxes) who reigned from India to Ethiopia (Cush) over 127 provinces, 2 in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel inSusa [the capital of the Persian Empire], 3 in the third year of his […]

Vashti’s Successor Sought 1 After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. 2 Then the king’s attendants, who served him, said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king. 3 Let the king appoint administrators […]

Haman’s Plot against the Jews 1 After these things King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha theAgagite, and advanced him andestablished his authority over all the officials who were with him. 2 All the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate [in royal service] bowed down and honoredandpaid homage to Haman; for […]

Esther Learns of Haman’s Plot 1 Now when Mordecai learned of everything that had been done, he tore his clothes [in mourning], and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the center of the city and cried out loudly and bitterly. 2 He went [only] as far as the king’s gate, because no […]

Esther Plans a Banquet 1 On the third day [of the fast] Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace opposite his [throne] room. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the [main] entrance of the palace. 2 When the king saw Esther the queen […]

The King Plans to Honor Mordecai 1 On that nightthe king could not sleep; so he ordered that the book of recordsandmemorable deeds, the chronicles, be brought, and they were read before the king. 2 It was found written there how Mordecai had reported that Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were […]

Esther’s Plea 1 So the king and Haman came to drinkwinewith Esther the queen. 2 And the king said to Esther on the second day also as they drank their wine, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom, it […]

Mordecai Promoted 1 On that day King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) gave thehouse of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther; and Mordecai came before the king, because Esther had disclosed what [relation] he was to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring which he had taken away from Haman, and gave it […]

The Jews Destroy Their Enemies 1 Now in the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar) on the thirteenth day when the king’s command and edict were about to be executed, on the [very] day when the enemies of the Jews had hoped to gain power over them [and slaughter them], it happened the […]

Mordecai’s Greatness 1 King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) imposed a tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. 2 And all the accomplishments of his authority and strength, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles […]