Esther2
English Standard Version
1 these , when the of had , he and she had and had been her.
2Then the who him , be for the .
3And the in the of his to the to the in the , of , the , who is in of the . their be them.
4And the who the be of . the , and he .
5 in the whose was , the of , of , of , a ,
6 had been from among the with of , of had .
7He was , that is , the of his , she had . The had a and was to , and when her and her , her as his own .
8So when the and his were , and when were in the in of , also was into the and put in of , who had of the .
9And the him and his . And he her with her and her portion of , and with from the , and her and her to the in the .
10 had her or , had her to make it .
11And in of the of the to how and was to her.
12Now when the for each to to , being under the for the , this the of their , with of and with and for —
13when the to the in this , she was she to with her from the to the .
14In the she would , and in the she would to the in of , the , who was in of the . She would to the , the in her and she was by .
15When the for the of the of , had her as his own , to to the , she for the , who had of the , . Now was in the of who her.
16And when was to , into his , in the , which is the of , in the of his ,
17the more the , and she and in his more the , so that he the on her and of .
18Then the a for his and ; it was . He also a remission of to the and with .
19Now when the were the , was at the .
20 had not her or her , as had her, for just as when she was by him.
21 , as was at the , and , of the , who the , became and to on .
22And came to the of , and he it to , and the in the of .
23When the was and to be so, the men were on the . And it was in the of the in the of the .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Esther 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Esther chosen queen. (1–20). Mordecai discovers a plot against the king. (21–23).
vv1-20
We see to what absurd practices those came, who were destitute of Divine revelation, and what need there was of the gospel of Christ, to purify men from the lusts of the flesh, and to bring them back to the original institution of marriage. Esther was preferred as queen. Those who suggest that Esther committed sin to come at this dignity, do not consider the custom of those times and countries. Every one that the king took was married to him, and was his wife, though of a lower rank. But how low is human nature sunk, when such as these are the leading pursuits and highest worldly happiness of men! Disappointment and vexation must follow; and he most wisely consults his enjoyment, even in this present life, who most exactly obeys the precepts of the Divine law. But let us turn to consider the wise and merciful providence of God, carrying on his deep but holy designs in the midst of all this. And let no change in our condition be a pretext for forgetting our duties to parents, or the friends who have stood in their place.
vv21-23
Good subjects must not conceal any bad design they know of against the prince, or the public peace. Mordecai was not rewarded at the time, but a remembrance was written. Thus, with respect to those who serve Christ, though their recompence is not till the resurrection of the just, yet an account is kept of their work of faith and labour of love, which God is not unrighteous to forget. The servant of God must be faithful to every trust, and watchful for those who employ him. If he appear to be neglected now, he will be remembered hereafter. None of our actions can be forgotten; even our most secret thoughts are written in lasting registers, Re 20:12.
Key Words
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
חֵמָה: heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
מֶלֶךְ: a king
אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ: Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a Persian king
שָׁכַךְ: to weave (i.e. lay) a trap; figuratively, (through the idea of secreting) to allay (passions; physically, abate a flood)
זָכַר: properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
וַשְׁתִּי: Vashti, the queen of Xerxes
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Esther 2Direct sequel where Mordecai's discovery of the treason is read from the chronicles to the king.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Providential favor granted to a young captive (Esther/Daniel) by their respective overseers.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Context of Ahasuerus's wrath being appeased regarding what was decreed against Vashti.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical record of the captivity under Nebuchadnezzar and Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) mentioned here.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Like Joseph, Esther obtains favor and kindness in the eyes of her keeper.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates Esther's ongoing obedience to Mordecai's charge even after becoming queen.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The book of chronicles where Mordecai's deed was recorded is read, prompting his reward.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Establishes Mordecai's Benjamite lineage, sharing ancestry with Kish, the father of Saul.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Esther conceals her Jewish identity, which Haman later targets as a diverse, scattered people.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel execution of royal officers (hanging on a tree) after an inquiry.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Mordecai reminds Esther of her origins and her adoption for a specific providential purpose.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Establishes Mordecai's location sitting in the king's gate, facilitating his discovery of the plot.
Supported by JFB