Esther 2:23 kjv
And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
Esther 2:23 nkjv
And when an inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.
Esther 2:23 niv
And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.
Esther 2:23 esv
When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows. And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.
Esther 2:23 nlt
When an investigation was made and Mordecai's story was found to be true, the two men were impaled on a sharpened pole. This was all recorded in The Book of the History of King Xerxes' Reign.
Esther 2 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 11:5 | "The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight..." | Uprightness guides; plans revealed. |
| Job 5:12 | "He frustrates the devices of the crafty..." | God frustrates wicked schemes. |
| Ps 7:15-16 | "He who digs a pit will fall into it..." | The wicked fall into their own traps. |
| Ps 9:15-16 | "The nations have sunk in the pit that they made..." | Justice ensnares plotters. |
| Prov 16:33 | "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." | God's sovereignty over events. |
| Prov 26:27 | "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling." | Plots backfire on the plotters. |
| Deut 21:22-23 | "...hang him on a tree... for a hanged man is cursed by God." | "Hanging on a tree" as a cursed death. |
| Josh 8:29 | "And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree..." | Public execution by hanging/impalement. |
| Acts 5:30 | "The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree." | Theological link of "tree" to crucifixion. |
| Gal 3:13 | "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'" | Christ's death on "tree" fulfilling curse. |
| Eccl 10:20 | "Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king..." | Warning against disloyalty to rulers. |
| Luke 12:2 | "Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known." | Hidden things come to light. |
| Dan 6:24 | "...and they were thrown into the den of lions..." | Consequences for conspiring against authority. |
| Rom 2:6 | "He will render to each one according to his works." | Divine judgment based on actions. |
| Gal 6:7 | "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." | Principle of sowing and reaping justice. |
| Mal 3:16 | "...a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared the LORD..." | God's own record of His faithful ones. |
| Rev 20:12 | "...and books were opened... the book of life..." | Heavenly record-keeping for judgment/salvation. |
| Ps 37:6 | "He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday." | Vindication of the righteous in due time. |
| Prov 28:20 | "A faithful man will abound with blessings..." | Blessing for faithfulness and loyalty. |
| Heb 6:10 | "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love..." | God remembers deeds of love and service. |
| Gen 50:20 | "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good..." | God orchestrates evil intent for His purposes. |
| Phil 4:3 | "...whose names are in the book of life." | Names recorded in God's book of life. |
| Isa 43:26 | "Put me in remembrance; let us argue together..." | God's meticulous memory of deeds. |
Esther 2 verses
Esther 2 23 Meaning
Esther 2:23 details the thorough investigation and subsequent execution of two palace officials, Bigthan and Teresh, who conspired against King Ahasuerus. Their discovery and punishment were meticulously recorded in the royal chronicles, ensuring a permanent record of Mordecai's loyalty and his vital service in preserving the king's life.
Esther 2 23 Context
Esther chapter 2 primarily focuses on Ahasuerus's search for a new queen after Vashti's dismissal. It introduces Esther and Mordecai, establishing their background and relationship. Verse 23 is a pivotal moment, preceding Esther's official installation as queen. It details Mordecai's vigilance in uncovering a plot to assassinate the king, highlighting his loyalty and intervention. This seemingly small event is crucial for the larger narrative, as the royal record of Mordecai's deed becomes instrumental much later in Esther chapter 6, leading to the dramatic reversal of Haman's decree. Historically, it reflects the elaborate bureaucratic and record-keeping practices of the Persian Empire, where important events concerning the king's safety would be officially documented.
Esther 2 23 Word analysis
- And inquiry was made (וַיְבֻקַּשׁ - vay'vuq'qash): This is from the Hebrew verb בָּקַשׁ (baqash), meaning "to seek," "to search," or "to investigate." The Hophal conjugation here denotes that "a thorough search was conducted," emphasizing a meticulous official process rather than a casual inquiry. This highlights the diligence of the Persian bureaucracy and the severity of the offense.
- concerning the matter: Indicates the specific nature of the investigation – the assassination plot against the king.
- and it was found out (וַיִּמָּצֵא - vayyimmaṣe): From the Hebrew verb מָצָא (matsa), "to find," "to discover." The Niphal conjugation implies that the truth "was discovered" or "became found out," highlighting that the plot, despite being hidden, could not remain concealed. This aligns with biblical principles that hidden things are ultimately revealed.
- and both were hanged (וַיִּתְלוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם - vayyitlû sh'nehem): From תָּלָה (talah), "to hang," or "to suspend." This refers to a specific method of capital punishment, often by impalement on a stake or gallows. In the ancient Near East, such execution was public, serving as a deterrent and a demonstration of royal power and justice. The immediate punishment underscores the severity of treason.
- on a gallows (עַל־עֵץ - ʿal-ʿēṣ): Literally "upon wood" or "upon a tree." This general term for "wood" is used to describe the instrument of execution. This is significant as the same Hebrew word 'ets is later used to describe the structure Haman prepared for Mordecai's execution (Esth 5:14; 7:9-10), demonstrating ironic poetic justice as Haman himself is ultimately hanged on it. This also subtly connects to the broader biblical motif of execution on a "tree" as a form of curse (Deut 21:22-23), later profoundly associated with the crucifixion of Christ (Acts 5:30; Gal 3:13).
- and it was written (וַיִּכָּתֵב - vayyikkatēv): From כָּתַב (katav), "to write." The Niphal conjugation signifies that it "was written down" or "became inscribed," indicating an official act of recording.
- in the book of the chronicles (סֵפֶר דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים - sepher divrey ha'yamim): Literally "book of the words of the days," signifying official royal annals or historical records. The meticulous record-keeping of the Persian Empire is emphasized. This detail is not incidental; it ensures that Mordecai's crucial service is permanently documented, setting the stage for his future recognition in chapter 6, where the king himself consults these very records.
- before the king (לִפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ - lifnei ha'melekh): Meaning "in the presence of the king" or "under the king's authority/oversight." This emphasizes the official royal sanction of the record and its importance directly to the sovereign.
Esther 2 23 Bonus section
The execution method specified as "hanged on a gallows" (ʿal-ʿēṣ, "upon wood/tree") carries significant implications. While it specifically refers to the common Persian practice of impalement or hanging, within the broader biblical context, death upon a tree or wood signifies a curse (Deut 21:23). This subtly foreshadows Haman's fate, as he prepares a structure of "wood" for Mordecai's execution and is ironically hoisted on it himself (Esth 7:10). From a New Testament perspective, this "tree" motif resonates profoundly with Christ's crucifixion, as He bore the curse of humanity upon a tree (Acts 5:30, Gal 3:13), transforming a symbol of disgrace into one of salvation. The detailed bureaucratic action and the official royal records described here serve as a literary device. They not only establish historical authenticity within the narrative but also function as a testament to God's precise and deliberate work in human affairs, even when His presence is not overtly declared. This historical documentation becomes a pivotal link in the chain of events orchestrated to deliver His people, demonstrating that even secular government structures can unknowingly be tools in the divine plan.
Esther 2 23 Commentary
Esther 2:23, though seemingly a simple recording of justice served, is profoundly significant within the biblical narrative of Esther. It lays a foundational stone for the unfolding of divine providence. While God's name is conspicuously absent from the book of Esther, His hidden hand is demonstrably at work here. This verse ensures that Mordecai’s life-saving act for the king is not forgotten, being permanently etched in the official royal annals. This record becomes the means by which Mordecai's forgotten good deed is brought to the king's attention at a crucial juncture in chapter 6, paving the way for the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's decree. The exposure of the plot, the swift justice, and the official documentation all combine to underscore God's sovereign control over human events, orchestrating circumstances even through pagan rulers and meticulous administrative practices, to achieve His redemptive purposes. It serves as a reminder that good deeds, especially those motivated by faithfulness, are recorded and remembered, whether in earthly chronicles or in God's eternal ledger, and will be rewarded in His perfect timing.