Esther 2 17

Esther 2:17 kjv

And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Esther 2:17 nkjv

The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Esther 2:17 niv

Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Esther 2:17 esv

the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Esther 2:17 nlt

And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti.

Esther 2 verses

Esther 2 17 Meaning

Esther 2:17 marks the definitive moment when King Ahasuerus's deep affection and preference for Esther culminated in her coronation as queen. Despite the multitude of beautiful women presented to him, Esther surpassed them all in his eyes, gaining an unparalleled level of grace and favor. This verse signifies her elevation to the highest position within the Persian Empire, officially replacing the deposed Queen Vashti, and establishes her for her divinely appointed role in saving her people.

Esther 2 17 Context

Esther chapter 2 provides the detailed account of the events following Queen Vashti's removal in chapter 1, necessitating a search for a new queen for King Ahasuerus. Messengers were sent throughout the vast Persian Empire to gather the most beautiful virgins, who were then brought to the royal harem in Susa and placed under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch in charge of the women. Each woman underwent twelve months of elaborate purification and beauty treatments before being presented to the king. Verse 17 signifies the climax of this selection process, where, after thorough preparation, Esther uniquely captivated the king, leading to her selection as the sovereign's choice. Historically, this aligns with the reign of Xerxes I of Persia (Ahasuerus) around 480-479 BC. The backdrop is an opulent pagan empire, characterized by the king's absolute power and a system where a Jewish orphan was remarkably chosen for the most influential position, a choice which later proves to be critical for the survival of God's people.

Esther 2 17 Word analysis

• "And the king": Hebrew: וַיֶּאֱהַב הַמֶּלֶךְ (wa·ye·'e·hav ha·me·lech). "Wa-" is a consecutive conjunction, linking this event to preceding actions. "Ha·me·lech" (the king) denotes Ahasuerus, emphasizing his central role and ultimate authority in the selection process.

• "loved": יֶאֱהַב (ye·'e·hav), from the root אָהֵב ('ahev). This signifies deep affection and genuine fondness, suggesting more than mere admiration of physical beauty. It indicates the king's strong personal preference for Esther over all other candidates.

• "Esther": אֶסְתֵּר ('es·ter). Her Persian name, possibly related to "star" or the goddess Ishtar. Her Hebrew name, Hadassah, meant "myrtle." The use of her Persian name here reflects her new identity and status within the pagan royal court.

• "above all the women": מִכָּל־הַנָּשִׁים (mik·kol-han·na·shim). Literally "from all the women." This phrase highlights Esther's distinct superiority and unmatched appeal among all potential candidates, setting her apart decisively.

• "and she obtained grace": וַתִּשָּׂא חֵן (wa·tis·sa' chen). "Wa·tis·sa'" means "she carried" or "she found/obtained." "Chen" (חֵן) denotes grace, favor, charm, or attractiveness. It refers to a pleasing quality or winning characteristic that garners goodwill. Though here attributed to human interaction, "chen" frequently signifies divine favor in other biblical contexts, hinting at a higher influence at play.

• "and favour": וָחֶסֶד (va·che·sed). "Chesed" (חֶסֶד) is a profound Hebrew term encompassing kindness, lovingkindness, steadfast love, and mercy. While often describing God's covenant love, here it represents the king's deep benevolence and magnanimous regard towards Esther, exceeding mere superficial approval.

• "in his sight": לְפָנָיו (lə·pha·nav). Literally "before his face." This signifies a direct, personal, and visible recognition by the king, affirming his full approval of Esther.

• "more than all the virgins": מִכָּל־הַבְּתוּלוֹת (mik·kol-hab·be·tu·lot). This further stresses the depth and scope of her exceptional charm and beauty, underscoring that she stood out distinctively even among the most carefully selected young women.

• "so that he set": וַיָּשֶׂם (wa·ya·sem). "He placed" or "he set." This verb indicates the king's direct, volitional action, highlighting his decisive choice and the immediate consequence of his favorable disposition towards Esther.

• "the royal crown": כֶּתֶר מַלְכוּת (ke·ter mal·chut). "Keter" (כֶּתֶר), a Persian loanword, is a royal diadem or crown, while "malchut" (מַלְכוּת) signifies royalty or kingship. This emphasizes the crown's significance as the supreme symbol of absolute power and sovereign authority, making Esther a legitimate and powerful queen.

• "upon her head": עַל־רֹאשָׁהּ (al-ro·sha). The act of physically placing the crown on her head ritualistically and formally symbolizes her investiture as queen. It's the ceremonial recognition of her new status and authority.

• "and made her queen": וַיַּמְלִיכֶהָ (wa·yam·li·che·ha). From the root מֶלֶךְ (melech - king), this causative verb means "he caused her to reign" or "he crowned her queen." This signifies the official and authoritative proclamation of her royal title and assumption of power.

• "instead of Vashti": תַּחַת וַשְׁתִּי (ta·chat vash·ti). "Tachat" means "under" or "in place of," directly affirming that Esther was Vashti's designated and rightful successor. This provides narrative continuity from chapter 1 and validates the transfer of the queen's position.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight...": This dual observation presents both the king's subjective preference and Esther's inherent and perceived qualities. It signifies a profound divine arrangement working through human affections, positioning Esther precisely where she needed to be.
  • "...more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.": This section highlights the overwhelming nature of Esther's appeal which led directly to her coronation. The emphasis on "more than all the virgins" cements her unique qualification. The setting of the "royal crown" marks her legitimate authority, a strategic placement by Providence for the salvation of the Jewish people from impending genocide.

Esther 2 17 Bonus section

The seemingly "secular" narrative of the Book of Esther, particularly in verses like 2:17, profoundly illustrates the concept of divine hester panim ("hidden face")—God's providential work even when He appears absent or silent. Esther's elevation underscores the theme that God never abandons His people, even in exile. The Persian word 'Keter' (crown) carries connotations of the king's imperial dominion, highlighting the actual authority Esther assumed. Her name, Esther, echoing the Persian word for "star," beautifully foreshadows her emergence as a beacon of hope for her people in their darkest hour, akin to a guiding light from the divine.

Esther 2 17 Commentary

Esther 2:17 is the climactic verse of Esther's ascent to power. It encapsulates the convergence of human decision-making and subtle divine Providence. King Ahasuerus's explicit "love" and the extraordinary "grace" and "favor" Esther found in his "sight" elevate her above a vast pool of contenders. This wasn't merely a triumph of physical beauty, but an alignment of qualities, preparation, and divine design that uniquely positioned her for the throne. While God's name is conspicuously absent in the book, His invisible hand is profoundly evident, orchestrating this seemingly arbitrary human process. Esther's coronation, sealed by the royal crown, establishes her as a queen with immense authority, directly replacing Vashti, thus setting the stage for the pivotal events of deliverance that will follow. It profoundly illustrates that even within secular systems and human choices, God infallibly works His purposes for His people.