Esther 1:2 — Word Study
WLCבַּיָּמִ֖ים הָהֵ֑ם כְּשֶׁ֣בֶת׀ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ עַ֚ל כִּסֵּ֣א מַלְכוּת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה׃
BSAIn thosehêm daysyôwm [at that specific time, in the course of history] Kingmelek [the ruler, monarch] XerxesʼĂchashvêrôwsh [Ahasuerus, a powerful Persian king] satyâshab [dwelled, remained] onʻal his royalmalkûwth [kingly, sovereign] thronekiççêʼ [seat of power, authority] in the citadelbîyrâh [stronghold, fortified city] of SusaShûwshan [Shushan, the palace]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בַּיָּמִ֖ים | in the days | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| הָהֵ֑ם | those | Particle, pronoun |
| כְּשֶׁ֣בֶת׀ | when sat | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ | the king | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ | Ahasuerus | Noun proper masculine |
| עַ֚ל | on | Preposition |
| כִּסֵּ֣א | [the] throne of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| מַלְכוּת֔וֹ | royalty his | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| אֲשֶׁ֖ר | which | Particle |
| בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן | [was] in Susa | Preposition, noun proper |
| הַבִּירָֽה׃ | the citadel | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa. |
| KJV | That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, |
| ASV | that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, |
| YLT | in those days, at the sitting of the king Ahasuerus on the throne of his kingdom, that [is] in Shushan the palace, |
| WEB | in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Susa the palace, |
| BBE | That in those days, when King Ahasuerus was ruling in Shushan, his strong town, |
Where they part company is in the rendering of הַבִּירָֽה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence presents a main clause followed by two prepositional phrases that provide context for the action.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Esther 1:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Setting of Esthergenerated
Esther 1:2 introduces us to King Xerxes, who is seated on his royal throne in Susa, a significant city during the Persian Empire. This verse sets the stage for the unfolding narrative, highlighting the power dynamics and the royal court's atmosphere. The context is crucial as it provides insight into the political landscape of the time, which influences the events that follow in the book of Esther.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 7:1 | After the king had settled into his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, |
| 2 | 1 Kings 1:46 | Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne. |
| 3 | Daniel 4:4 | I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace. |
| 4 | Esther 2:3 | and let the king appoint commissioners in each province of his kingdom to assemble all the beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the women, and let them be given beauty treatments. |
| 5 | Esther 3:15 | The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ, 'a.chash.ve.Ro.oshgenerated
The name אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (Achashverosh) refers specifically to Ahasuerus, known in Greek as Xerxes, a powerful king of Persia. This name is significant in the historical context of the Jewish exile, as he ruled during a pivotal time for the Israelites.
The use of this proper noun emphasizes the authority and influence of the king within the narrative. It is not just a title but connects to the broader themes of power and governance in the story.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which aligns with the KJV and ASV in using King Xerxes.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb שֶׁ֣בֶת, to sit, governs the sentence, establishing the main action of the king being seated. The structure includes prepositional phrases that provide context about the location and the nature of the throne.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the king's action and position, highlighting his authority as he sits in the fortified city of Susa.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ is rendered as ἀρταχέρχης, indicating a specific title for the Persian king. This choice may reflect a broader understanding of his role and authority in the Greek-speaking world.
The translation of הַבִּירָֽה as πόλει suggests a focus on the city aspect, emphasizing Susa's significance as a capital rather than just a royal residence.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Esther 1:2 tells us that during the reign of King Xerxes, he sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa. This verse introduces the setting for the events that will unfold in the book of Esther, highlighting the king's authority and the importance of Susa as a location.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
King Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus, was a powerful Persian king who ruled during the time of the Israelites' exile and is a central figure in the book of Esther.
Susa was the winter capital of the Persian Empire and the site of important events in the book of Esther, symbolizing royal power and authority.
The term 'citadel' refers to a fortified city or stronghold, indicating the strategic importance of Susa as a royal residence and military stronghold.
The setting in Susa establishes the political and social dynamics that shape the events of Esther, highlighting the power struggles and royal intrigues that unfold.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the position of King Xerxes on his throne tell us about his authority?
- How does the setting in Susa contribute to the narrative of Esther?
- In what ways can we see the influence of royal power in our own lives or societies?
- How can understanding the historical context of Esther deepen our appreciation for the story?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators reference the significance of Susa as the capital of Persia, discussing its historical importance and connection to royal authority.
Susa is the capital of Persia, which according to the chroniclers was founded by the brother of Memnon; and it is called Susa because it borders on the river Susa, which is the location of the royal palace of Cyrus.Early Church Fathers on Esther 1 →
Susa is the metropolis of Persia which the historians say was founded by the brother of Memnon. It is called Susa because it lies along the river Susis where the royal palace of Cyrus was constructed with glittering white stone as well as…Early Church Fathers on Esther 1 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Esther 1:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThat in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom,.... Not only was placed upon it, but settled in it; after Xerxes had subdued Egypt, in the second year of his reign (e),
Read John Gill on Esther 1 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThat in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, When the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom - i:e., in the third year of his reign.
Read Robert Jamieson on Esther 1 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSat on the throne of his kingdom, i.e. either was lately advanced to it, or rather was settled in the peaceable possession of it. The palace; or, the castle; or, the chief or royal city, as both, Jewish and Christian interpreters render it. Shushan might be the proper name of the palace, which thence was given to the whole city. Here the kings of Persia used to keep their courts chiefly in winter, as ordinarily they were in Ecbatana in summer.
Read Matthew Poole on Esther 1 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEsther 1:2 [That] in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which [was] in Shushan the palace,Ver. 2. When the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne] Having peace with all men, being quiet and secure; though this lasted not long; for he was shamefully foiled by the Grecians (against whom he led an army of two millions of men), and forced to flee back again over Hellespont, in a poor fisher’ s boat; which being overloaded, had sunk all, if the Persians by the casting away of themselves had not saved the life of their king. Omnia sunt hominum tenui pendentia filo, &c. Which was in Shushan the palace] See Nehemiah 1:1. Ptolemy, Strabo, and Pliny tell us, that in this…
Read John Trapp on Esther 1 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) Shushan.—Susa. Mentioned also in Nehemiah 1:1. It was the general abode of the Persian kings. (See Herod. vii. 6.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Esther 1 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. Sat on the throne of his kingdom] Having subdued all his enemies, and brought universal peace to his empire. See the commencement of the introduction. Shushan the palace] The ancient city of Susa, now called [Persian] Shuster by the Persians. This, with Ecbatana and Babylon, was a residence of the Persian kings. The word הבירה habbirah, which we render the palace, should be rendered the city, ενσουσοιςτηπολει, as in the Septuagint.
Read AdamClarke on Esther 1 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. Shushan the palace] i.e. Susa. Ecbatana, Babylon, Persepolis, and Susa were all places of sojourn for the Persian court for longer or shorter periods. ‘Shushan the palace,’ which is to be distinguished from ‘Shushan the city’ (Esther 9:13-15) was built by Darius, father of Xerxes, on the same plan as the palace at Persepolis. The city of Susa was cut in two by a wide river, anciently called the Choaspes, and now known under the name of Ab-Kharkha. The populous quarters on the right bank are now marked by hardly perceptible undulations of the plain; on the left, the royal city, the citadel, and the palace. “Three huge mounds, forming a rhomboidal mass, 4500 feet long from N. to S., and…
Read Cambridge on Esther 1 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible2. Sat on the throne of his kingdom — That is, was quietly and firmly settled in his dominions; an oriental mode of representing an absolute monarch in possession of royal authority and power.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Esther 1 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa.
in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Susa the palace,
In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa.
In those days, as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa the citadel,
Tyndale line
That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
In those dayes when the King Ahashuerosh sate on his throne, which was in the palace of Shushan,
Strictly literal
in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the fortress,
in those days, at the sitting of the king Ahasuerus on the throne of his kingdom, that [is] in Shushan the palace,
in those days, at the sitting of King Ahasuerus on the throne of his kingdom, that [is] in Shushan the palace,
In those days, when this king Achashverosh was sitting on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the capital,
in those days King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in the fortress of Susa.
From the Latin
When he sat on the throne of his kingdom, the city Susan was the capital of his kingdom.
Simplified
At the time King Xerxes was ruling from his royal throne at the fortress in Susa.
That in those days, when King Ahasuerus was ruling in Shushan, his strong town,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text presents the verse consistently, while the Septuagint aligns with most of the Hebrew wording but reflects a different sentence structure. The word correspondence shows that while there is some variation, the core message remains intact.
בַּיָּמִ֖ים הָהֵ֑ם כְּשֶׁ֣בֶת׀ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ עַ֚ל כִּסֵּ֣א מַלְכוּת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה׃
7 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Esther 1:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
הֵ֫מָּה (hemmah) is a masculine plural pronoun meaning 'they.' The entries indicate that it can also mean 'these,' 'the same,' or refer to people in an emphatic context. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its usage.
הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) pron. 3 pl. masc. they
base
H1992 הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) they
1992 hem haym
or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from
1981; they (only used when emphatic):--it, like, X (how, so)
many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such,
their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye.
see HEBREW for 01981
הֵ֫מָּה (hem.mah) — they(masc.).
they, these, the same, who
Art | Pron — Particle · pronounHTd/Pp3mp
יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.
יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell
Qal
sit
sit, sit down
sit down
sit = be set (as a jewel)
remain, stay, tarry
with special emphasis of qualifying phr.
dwell, have one’s abode
of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited
Niph. be inhabited, of land
Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee
Hiph.
cause to sit
cause to abide
cause to dwell
cause cities to be inhabited
marry (prop. give a dwelling to)
Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land
base
H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell
3427 yashab yaw-shab'
a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as
judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to
remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)
abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease
self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)
inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),
(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),
(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),
take, tarry.
יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.
1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sit, sit down
1a2) to be set
1a3) to remain, stay
1a4) to dwell, have one's abode
1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited
1c) (Piel) to set, place
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to sit
1d2) to cause to abide, set
1d3) to cause to dwell
1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited
1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be inhabited
1e2) to make to dwell
Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
King
Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).
This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;
"a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country." --Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1; 12:12) The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor…
אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (Achashverosh) refers to Ahasuerus, a title for the Persian king Xerxes. It is of Persian origin and is associated with the time of the Exile and Return, first mentioned in Ezra 4:6. The name is interpreted to mean 'I will be silent and poor' and is linked to his marriage to Vashti.
אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ n.pr.m. Ahasuerus = Xerxes king of Pers.
base
H325 אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
325 'Achashverowsh akh-ash-vay-rosh'
or (shortened) pAchashrosh {akh- ash-rosh'} (Esth. 10:1); of
Persian origin; Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes,
but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a
Persian king:--Ahasuerus.
אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (a.chash.ve.rosh) — Ahasuerus.
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.4.6; married to Vashti (H2060);
father of: Darius (H1868H)
§ Ahasuerus = "I will be silent and poor"
title of the king of Persia, probably Xerxes
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Ahasuerus
There are three kings designated by this name in Scripture. (1.) The father of Darius the Mede, mentioned in Dan. 9:1. This was probably the Cyaxares I. known by this name in profane history, the king of Media and the conqueror of Nineveh.
(2.) The king mentioned in Ezra 4:6, probably the Cambyses of profane history, the son and successor of Cyrus (B.C. 529).
(3.) The son of Darius Hystaspes, the king named in the Book of Esther. He ruled over the kingdoms of Persia, Media, and Babylonia, “from India to Ethiopia.” This was in all probability the Xerxes of profane history, who succeeded his father Darius (B.C. 485). In the LXX. version of the Book of Esther the name Artaxerxes occurs for Ahasuerus. He reigned for twenty-one years (B.C. 486-465). He invaded Greece with an army…
(lion-king), the name of one Median and two Persian kings mentioned in the Old Testament. In (Daniel 9:1) Ahasuerus is said to be the father of Darius the Mede. [DARIUS] This first Ahasuerus is Cyaxares, the conqueror of Nineveh. (Began to reign B.C. 634.) The Ahasuerus king of Persia, referred to in (Ezra 4:6) must be Cambyses, thought to be Cyrus’ successor, and perhaps his son. (B.C. 529.) The third is the Ahasuerus of the book of Esther. This Ahasuerus is probably Xerxes of history, (Esther 1:1) (B.C. 485), and this conclusion is fortified by the resemblance of character and by certain chronological indications, the account of his life and character agreeing with the book of Esther In the third year of Ahaseuerus was held a…
A royal title, common to several Median and Persian kings named in Scripture.
1. The father of Dares the Mede, Da 9:1. The most probable opinion is that the name here designates Astyages, the grandfather of Cyrus. See below, and DARIUS I.
2. Mentioned Ezr 4:6, the son and successor of Cyrus; probably Cambyses, who reigned seven and a half years from B. C. 529.
3. The husband of Esther, most probably Xerxes. Commentators have been much divided, and have understood under this name all the Persian kings in succession. But the other kings of Persia are all mentioned in Scripture by their own names, or at least definitely pointed out; while Xerxes is not mentioned, unless under this name. Besides, recent researches show that Hebrew word for Ahasuerus is readily formed from the Persian name…
prince; head; chief
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep — PrepositionHR
On
Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…
(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…
See HELIOPOLIS.
pain; force; iniquity
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) refers to a seat of honour or throne, often associated with royal dignity and authority. It is derived from a root meaning 'covered' and encompasses meanings like stool and seat. The entries consistently highlight its significance in both literal and figurative contexts.
כִּסֵּא, כִּסֵּה 133 n.m. seat of honour, throne
base
H3678 כִּסֵּא, כִּסֵּה seat of honour, throne
3678 kicce' kis-say'
or kicceh {kis-say'}; from 3680; properly, covered, i.e. a
throne (as canopied):--seat, stool, throne.
see HEBREW for 03680
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — throne.
1) seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool
1a) seat (of honour), throne
1b) royal dignity, authority, power (fig.)
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — (Hall of) the Throne.
Combined with u.lam (אוּלָם "Hall" H0197I)
This name means throne, seat
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — throne: seat.
1) seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool
1a) seat (of honour), throne
1b) royal dignity, authority, power (fig.)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מַלְכוּת (malkuwth) refers to concepts of royalty, royal power, reign, and kingdom. It is derived from the root meaning 'to rule' and encompasses ideas of dominion and sovereignty. The term appears in various contexts within the Old Testament, emphasizing authority and governance.
מַלְכוּת n.f. royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom
royal power, dominion
reign
kingdom, realm
base
H4438 מַלְכוּת royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom
4438 malkuwth mal-kooth'
or malkuth {mal-kooth'}; or (in plural) malkuyah
{mal-koo-yah'}; from 4427; a rule; concretely, a
dominion:--empire, kingdom, realm, reign, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מַלְכוּת (mal.khut) — royalty.
1) royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom, sovereign power
1a) royal power, dominion
1b) reign
1c) kingdom, realm
Aramaic equivalent: mal.khu (מַלְכוּ "kingdom" H4437)
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
HTr — ParticleHTr
שׁוּשַׁן (Shuwshan) refers to Susa, the winter residence of Persian kings, and is derived from a related term meaning 'lily.' The entries consistently identify it as a geographical location in Persia, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
שׁוּשַׁן n.pr.loc. Susa, winter residence of Persian kings
base
H7800 שׁוּשַׁן
7800 Shuwshan shoo-shan'
the same as 7799; Shushan, a place in Persia:--Shushan.
see HEBREW for 07799
שׁוּשַׁן (shu.shan) — Susa.
Shushan or Susa = "lily"
the winter residence of the Persian kings; located on the river Ulai or Choaspes
Also named: shu.shan.khi (שׁוּשַׁנְכָיֵא "Susa" H7801)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
su'-sa, soo'-sa (Additions to Esther 11:3).
See SHUSHAN.
(Esther 11:3; 16:18) [SHUSHAN, OR SUSA].
בִּירָה (biyrah) refers to a palace or castle, with a possible connection to a temple in Jerusalem. It is noted as having foreign origins and can also imply a fortress in certain contexts. The Aramaic equivalent is בִּירְתָא (bi.ra), meaning citadel.
בִּירָה n.f. castle, palace
of temple at Jerusalem
in these passages appar. means a fortress in the city bearing the same name
base
H1002 בִּירָה
1002 biyrah bee-raw'
of foreign origin; a castle or palace:--palace.
בִּירָה (bi.rah) — palace.
1) palace, castle
2) temple
Aramaic equivalent: bi.ra (בִּירְתָא "citadel" H1001)
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
sit'-a-del (1 Macc 1:33; 3:45).
See FORTIFICATION.