Esther 6
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
On that night could not the king sleep - The Targum says the king had a dream, which was as follows: - "And the king saw one in the similitude of a man who spoke these words to him: Haman desireth to slay thee, and to make himself king in thy stead. Behold, he will come unto thee early in the morning, to ask from thee the man who rescued thee from death, that he may slay him: but say thou unto Haman, What shall be done for the man whose honor the king studieth? And thou wilt find that he will ask nothing less from thee than the royal vestments, the regal crown, and the horse on which the king is wont to ride." The records of the chronicles - It may be well asked, Why should the king, in such a perturbed state of mind, wish such a dry detail, as chronicles afford, to be read to him? But the truth is, as chronicles were composed among the Persians, he could not have brought before him any work more instructive, and more entertaining; because they were all written in verse, and were generally the work of the most eminent poets in the empire. They are written in this way to the present time; and the famous epic poem of the finest Persian poet, Ferdusi, the Homer of India, is nothing else than a collection of chronicles brought down from the creation to the reign of Mohammed Ghezny, in the beginning of the tenth century. After thirty years' labor, he finished this poem, which contained one hundred and twenty thousand lines, and presented it to the Sultan Mahmoud, who had promised to give him a dinar (eight shillings and sixpence) for every line. The poem was finished a.d. 984; and was formed out of compositions of a similar nature made by former poets. This chronological poem is written in all the harmony, strength, and elegance of the most beautiful and harmonious language…
Open source ↗AHASUERUS REWARDS MORDECAI FOR FORMER SERVICE. (Est 6:1-14) the king . . . commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles--In Eastern courts, there are scribes or officers whose duty it is to keep a journal of every occurrence worthy of notice. A book of this kind, abounding with anecdotes, is full of interest. It has been a custom with Eastern kings, in all ages, frequently to cause the annals of the kingdom to be read to them. It is resorted to, not merely as a pastime to while away the tedium of an hour, but as a source of instruction to the monarch, by reviewing the important incidents of his own life, as well as those of his ancestors. There was, therefore, nothing uncommon in this Persian monarch calling for the court journal. But, in his being unable to sleep at that particular juncture, in his ordering the book then to be read to him, and in his attention having been specially directed to the important and as yet unrewarded services of Mordecai, the immediate interposition of Providence is distinctly visible.
Open source ↗On that night could not the king sleep,.... The night after he had been at Esther's banquet, which it might be thought would rather have caused sleep; and therefore Jarchi calls it a miracle; and no doubt it was owing to the overruling providence of God, and not to anxious thoughts about his neglect of Esther so long, nor what should be her request to him, nor jealousy of any amorous intrigue with Haman, nor of any conspiracy of theirs against his life: and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; the diaries or journal, in which memorable facts were recorded; this he did to divert himself, and pass away time; though here also the providence of God was specially concerned; for otherwise he might have sent for any of his wives and concubines, or singing men and women, to have diverted him: and they were read before the king; until the morning, until it was time to rise, as appears by what follows.
Open source ↗An unexpected turn of affairs. Est 6:1. On that night between Esther's first and second banquet, the king's sleep fled, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles and to read therefrom. On הזּכרנות ספר, comp. Ezr 4:15. The title is here more particularly stated than in Est 2:23, where the book is briefly called: The book of the chronicles. נקראים ויּהיוּ, and they (the chronicles) were read before the king. The participle denotes the long continuance of this reading. Est 6:2 And it was found written therein among other matters, that Mordochai had given information concerning the two courtiers who were plotting against the king's life. This is the conspiracy related Est 2:21-23. The name Bigthana is in Est 2:21 written Bigthan. Est 6:3 On this occasion the king asked: What honour and greatness hath been done to Mordochai for this? על־זה, for giving this information. And the king's servants answered: Nothing has been shown him. עם עשׂה, to show any one something, e.g., favour; comp. Sa2 2:6; Sa2 3:8, and elsewhere. גּדוּלה, greatness, i.e., promotion to honour. Est 6:4 To repair this deficiency, and to do honour to the man who had done good service to the king - as the Persian monarchs were accustomed, comp. Brisson, de reg. Pers. princ. i. c. 135 - he asked, "who is in the court?" i.e., whether some minister or state functionary were there with whom he might consult concerning the honour due to Mordochai. Those who desired an audience with the king were accustomed to appear and wait in the outer court, until they were summoned into the inner court to present themselves before the monarch. From this question of the king it appears that it was already morning. And Haman, it is parenthetically remarked, was come into the outer court to speak to the king…
Open source ↗Now Satan put it into the heart of Haman to contrive Mordecai's death we read in the foregoing chapter; how God put it into the heart of the king to contrive Mordecai's honour we are here told. Now, if the king's word will prevail above Haman's (for, though Haman be a great man, the king in the throne must be above him), much more will the counsel of God stand, whatever devices there are in men's hearts. It is to no purpose therefore for Haman to oppose it, when both God and the king will have Mordecai honoured, and in this juncture too, when his preferment, and Haman's disappointment, would help to ripen the great affair of the Jewish deliverance for the effort that Esther was to make towards it the next day. Sometimes delay may prove to have been good conduct. Stay awhile, and we may have done the sooner. Cunctando restituit rem - He conquered by delay. Let us trace the steps which Providence took towards the advancement of Mordecai. I. On that night could not the king sleep. His sleep fled away (so the word is); and perhaps, like a shadow, the more carefully he pursued it the further it went from him. Sometimes we cannot sleep because we fain would sleep. Even after a banquet of wine he could not sleep when Providence had a design to serve in keeping him waking. We read of no bodily indisposition he was under, that might break his sleep; but God, whose gift sleep is, withheld it from him. Those that are ever so much resolved to cast away care cannot always do it; they find it in their pillows when they neither expect nor welcome it. He that commanded 127 provinces could not command one hour's sleep. Perhaps the charms of Esther's conversation the day before gave occasion to his heart to reproach him for neglecting her, and banishing her from his presence, though she…
Open source ↗6:1 the king had trouble sleeping: God was working to protect Esther and Mordecai. • the book of the history of his reign: Ancient kings kept royal annals of their reigns.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity נָדַד (nâdad, H5074) — properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee,… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שֵׁנָה (shênâh, H8142) — sleep אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book זִכְרוֹן (zikrôwn, H2146) — a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… בִּגְתָן (Bigthân, H904) — Bigthan or Bigthana, a eunuch of Xerxes תֶּרֶשׁ (Teresh, H8657) — Teresh, a eunuch of Xerxes שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king סָרִיס (çârîyç, H5631) — a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… סַף (çaph, H5592) — a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine) בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְקָר (yᵉqâr, H3366) — value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity גְּדוּלָה (gᵉdûwlâh, H1420) — greatness; (concretely) mighty acts עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) חִיצוֹן (chîytsôwn, H2435) — properly, the (outer) wall side; hence, exterior; figuratively, secular (as opposed to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) תָּלָה (tâlâh, H8518) — to suspend (especially to gibbet) מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to… יְקָר (yᵉqâr, H3366) — value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יוֹתֵר (yôwthêr, H3148) — properly, redundant; hence, over and above, as adjective, noun, adverb or conjunction
Open source ↗הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to… יְקָר (yᵉqâr, H3366) — value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity
Open source ↗מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion לְבוּשׁ (lᵉbûwsh, H3830) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… כֶּתֶר (kether, H3804) — properly, a circlet, i.e. a diadem נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of…
Open source ↗לְבוּשׁ (lᵉbûwsh, H3830) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king פַּרְתַּם (partam, H6579) — a grandee שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to… יְקָר (yᵉqâr, H3366) — value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… רְחֹב (rᵉchôb, H7339) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier מָהַר (mâhar, H4116) — properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) לְבוּשׁ (lᵉbûwsh, H3830) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier לְבוּשׁ (lᵉbûwsh, H3830) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… רְחֹב (rᵉchôb, H7339) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king
Open source ↗מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier דָּחַף (dâchaph, H1765) — to urge, i.e. hasten בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָבֵל (ʼâbêl, H57) — lamenting רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… חָפָה (châphâh, H2645) — to cover; by implication, to veil, to encase, protect
Open source ↗הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… זֶרֶשׁ (Zeresh, H2238) — Zeresh, Haman's wife אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) קָרָה (qârâh, H7136) — to light upon (chiefly by accident); causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… חָלַל (châlal, H2490) — properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane… נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or…
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king סָרִיס (çârîyç, H5631) — a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a… בָּהַל (bâhal, H926) — to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly)… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh, H4960) — drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally)… אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled his spirit, and sleep escaped him.
Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him.
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
After the report had been investigated and verified, both officials were hanged on the gallows. And all this was recorded in the Book of the Chronicles in the presence of the king.
The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
And all of Mordecai’s powerful and magnificent accomplishments, together with the full account of the greatness to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?
At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name.
And Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. So to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”