Esther 1 2

Esther 1:2 kjv

That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,

Esther 1:2 nkjv

in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the citadel,

Esther 1:2 niv

At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa,

Esther 1:2 esv

in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel,

Esther 1:2 nlt

At that time Xerxes ruled his empire from his royal throne at the fortress of Susa.

Esther 1 verses

Esther 1 2 Meaning

Esther 1:2 introduces the immediate setting and context for the ensuing events, focusing on the powerful King Ahasuerus as he rules from his established position of authority within the principal city of Susa, setting the stage for the dramatic unfolding of the narrative within the Persian Empire's highest echelons of power.

Esther 1 2 Context

Esther 1:2 continues to establish the setting begun in 1:1, transitioning from the vastness of King Ahasuerus's empire (127 provinces) to the specific heart of his power. It paints a detailed picture of an absolute monarch firmly in control within his royal court in Susa. Historically, this situates the narrative in the Persian Achaemenid Empire during the reign of Xerxes I (identified as Ahasuerus), roughly mid-5th century BCE. Susa, an ancient city, was one of the empire's four capitals, serving as a prominent royal residence, particularly favored in winter. The verse thus sets the scene not just geographically, but also in terms of atmosphere: one of immense human power, authority, and likely grandeur, which serves as a powerful backdrop for God's subtle yet definitive providential hand, often unseen but undeniably at work throughout the book.

Word Analysis

• In those days: Hebrew: biy-mey (בִּימֵי). This phrase functions as a common chronological marker in historical biblical narratives (e.g., Jdg 17:6, Ruth 1:1), signaling a specific historical period and inviting the reader into the story's past. It suggests a time frame established at the story's outset.

• when King Ahasuerus: Hebrew: ’Ăḥashwērôš (אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ). This is the Hebrew transliteration of the Old Persian name Xšaya-ṛšā, universally recognized by scholars as Xerxes I, who reigned from 486-465 BC. The direct identification of the king grounds the narrative firmly within historical records, lending it authenticity.

• sat: Hebrew: yāšav (יָשַׁב). While literally meaning 'to sit,' in this context, it denotes a state of being firmly established, reigning, or holding court. It implies settled power and continuous rule, not a temporary position.

• on his royal throne: Hebrew: kisse malḵūṯō (כִּסֵּא מַלְכוּתוֹ).

  • kisse (כִּסֵּא): 'Throne,' the symbolic and physical seat of ultimate authority, judgment, and government for a monarch.
  • malḵūṯō (מַלְכוּתוֹ): 'His royalty/kingship,' emphasizing the nature of the throne as specifically pertaining to his imperial rule. This phrase powerfully conveys the king's supreme, unchallenged earthly authority.

• in Susa the citadel: Hebrew: bə-šūshan ha-bîrāh (בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה).

  • Shushan (שׁוּשַׁן): 'Susa,' an ancient city in Persia, a key capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Archeological findings confirm its historical significance and grandeur.
  • bîrāh (הַבִּירָה): 'Citadel,' 'fortified palace complex,' or 'capital.' It signifies the secure, administrative, and royal heart of the city, a high-walled inner complex containing the palace and government offices, distinguishing it from the broader city.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "In those days, when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne": This clause masterfully sets a formal and weighty tone. It immediately establishes the central human figure, Ahasuerus, not just as a king but as a monarch firmly seated in his ultimate position of power. This portrayal of a majestic and established earthly ruler highlights the extensive scope of the authority that will feature throughout the story, against which divine providence will operate.
  • "in Susa the citadel": This precise geographical identification elevates Susa from a mere city to the nerve center of imperial command. The addition of "citadel" (birah) specifies the seat of royal government—the fortified and opulent royal precinct—underscoring that the narrative is rooted in the very core of global power, making the events to follow impactful on an empire-wide scale.

Esther 1 2 Bonus section

• The emphasis on the "royal throne" foreshadows the many decrees, banquets, and pivotal decisions that will emanate directly from this seat of power throughout the book, affecting the fate of the Jews.
• The absence of an explicit mention of God's name in Esther makes the vivid portrayal of King Ahasuerus's secular authority in this verse even more poignant. It challenges the reader to discern God's active involvement behind the visible scenes of human political might.
• The grand introduction in Esther 1:1-2 sets a theatrical scene, immersing the reader into the extravagance and politics of a foreign empire, yet it is within this very secular setting that God preserves His covenant people.

Esther 1 2 Commentary

Esther 1:2 functions as the specific address within the general dominion outlined in 1:1, narrowing the focus to the center of King Ahasuerus’s rule. It deliberately emphasizes the king's absolute authority by stating he "sat on his royal throne," an ancient idiom signifying established, powerful reign, not mere occupancy. The identification of Susa as "the citadel" further concretizes this reality of immense earthly power and opulence. The verse is significant as it sets the human stage: a powerful, wealthy, and seemingly self-sufficient kingdom, preparing the reader for the unfolding narrative where God's hand is invisibly yet supremely active, manipulating the affairs of this formidable earthly power to achieve His divine purposes for His people.