Esther 2 4

Esther 2:4 kjv

And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

Esther 2:4 nkjv

Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti." This thing pleased the king, and he did so.

Esther 2:4 niv

Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti." This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.

Esther 2:4 esv

And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti." This pleased the king, and he did so.

Esther 2:4 nlt

After that, the young woman who most pleases the king will be made queen instead of Vashti." This advice was very appealing to the king, so he put the plan into effect.

Esther 2 verses

Esther 2 4 Meaning

This verse states the king's acceptance of a proposed plan to replace Queen Vashti. The suggestion was that all beautiful young women in the kingdom be gathered to the royal citadel, and from them, the one who found favor in the king's eyes would be chosen as the new queen. The king was pleased with this idea and immediately proceeded to implement it.

Esther 2 4 Context

This verse immediately follows the king's deposition of Queen Vashti due to her refusal to obey his command, a decision made public to prevent similar disobedience across the vast Persian Empire. It reflects the outcome of the advisors' counsel, particularly Memucan's, to rectify the situation. The proposal here establishes the method for selecting a new queen: a grand beauty pageant and rigorous preparation regimen for numerous young women throughout the empire, all leading to the king's subjective preference determining the new consort. It sets the stage for Esther's entrance into the royal court, highlighting the king's absolute power and his superficial criteria for selecting a partner.

Esther 2 4 Word analysis

• And let the young woman (וְהַנַּעֲרָה - v'hanna'arah):
  • וְ (v') - "and," connecting to the previous discussion about a suitable replacement.
  • הַנַּעֲרָה (hanna'arah) - "the young woman," or "the maiden." This term in Hebrew, נַעֲרָה (na'arah), generally refers to a girl or young woman, implying youth and vitality, without strictly specifying virginity (though often used in that context in the Bible). The selection criterion focused on a demographic.
• who pleases (אֲשֶׁר תִּיטַב - asher titav):
  • אֲשֶׁר (asher) - "who," "which," or "that," introducing a relative clause.
  • תִּיטַב (titav) - from the root יטב (yatav), "to be good, to be pleasing, to be agreeable." This verb indicates that the king's subjective approval is the decisive factor. It highlights aesthetic appeal and personal preference.
• the king (בְּעֵינֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ - b'einei ha'melekh):
  • Literally, "in the eyes of the king." This is a common Hebrew idiom emphasizing direct, personal favor and approval based primarily on what is seen or perceived as agreeable to that person. It is not necessarily about moral or ethical goodness but what looks or feels "good" to the beholder.
• be queen (תִּמְלֹךְ - timlokh):
  • From the root מלך (malak), "to reign," "to be king or queen." This signifies a formal, powerful position, emphasizing succession and restoration of royal authority. It underlines that the purpose of this search is for a replacement, not just another woman in the harem.
• instead of Vashti (תַּחַת וַשְׁתִּי - tachat Vashti):
  • תַּחַת (tachat) - "under," "instead of," "in place of." This directly links the new selection to the previous queen's fate. It confirms that Vashti's removal was final and permanent, and her position was now vacant.
• And the proposal (וַיִּיטַב הַדָּבָר - vayitav ha'davar):
  • וַיִּיטַב (vayitav) - "and it was good," "and it pleased," from the same root יטב (yatav) as titav. This indicates the plan or idea found favor.
  • הַדָּבָר (ha'davar) - "the word," "the matter," "the thing," or "the proposal/plan." Refers to the whole preceding suggestion about gathering the young women.
• pleased the king (בְּעֵינֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ - b'einei ha'melekh):
  • Repeated idiom, reaffirming the king's positive reception of the entire suggestion. It confirms the proposed solution aligned with his desires and needs following Vashti's dethronement.
• and he did so (וַיַּעַשׂ כֵּן - vayya'as ken):
  • וַיַּעַשׂ (vayya'as) - "and he did/made," from the root עשה ('asah), "to do, to make, to perform." Indicates immediate and decisive action, moving from planning to execution.
  • כֵּן (ken) - "thus," "so." Confirming the action aligns with the stated plan.

• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "Let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti": This phrase defines the criteria and purpose of the search. The selection is explicitly based on the king's subjective preference, replacing the dethroned queen. It initiates the royal decree that will ultimately lead to Esther's elevation.
  • "And the proposal pleased the king, and he did so": This highlights the swift implementation of the plan due to the king's full agreement. It underscores his absolute authority and the immediate action taken to fulfill his perceived needs for royal stability and personal gratification. This pivotal decision sets the detailed sequence of events in motion for the rest of chapter 2.

Esther 2 4 Bonus section

This verse implicitly showcases the extensive and absolute power of King Ahasuerus. His acceptance of a simple proposal immediately transforms into a royal mandate affecting countless young women across 127 provinces. This system of royal concubines and a beauty selection process was characteristic of many ancient Near Eastern courts, starkly contrasting with biblical norms for marriage and leadership selection, where divine choice and moral character are paramount. The omission of God's name throughout the book of Esther, including this verse, highlights the apparent "secular" nature of the events, yet keen readers of Scripture discern the hand of Divine Providence guiding every step, orchestrating human decisions, even selfish ones, for His sovereign purposes. This moment initiates the divine trajectory that will protect the Jewish people.

Esther 2 4 Commentary

Esther 2:4 is pivotal, as it confirms the king's decree that establishes the mechanism for Esther's entrance into the narrative. It outlines a human-driven beauty contest as the means to select the new queen, a process based entirely on subjective physical attractiveness and the king's personal satisfaction. While the king's decision appears rooted in personal desire and advisors' political counsel, the immediate acceptance and swift action described ("and he did so") signify its irreversible impact. From a biblical perspective, this human design, devoid of divine mention or Israelite wisdom, ironically becomes the vehicle through which God's unseen providence will operate to place His chosen instrument, Esther, in a position of influence for the salvation of His people. This illustrates that God works not only through the righteous acts of His people but also within and through the secular schemes and carnal decisions of human leaders, ensuring His ultimate will is fulfilled.