Esther 6 2

Esther 6:2 kjv

And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

Esther 6:2 nkjv

And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.

Esther 6:2 niv

It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

Esther 6:2 esv

And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.

Esther 6:2 nlt

In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king's private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes.

Esther 6 verses

Esther 6 2 meaning

Esther 6:2 reveals that in the official chronicles of the Persian Empire, it was recorded how Mordecai had previously exposed a conspiracy by two of the king's own attendants, Bigthana and Teresh, who planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus. This seemingly minor detail from the past, unearthed at a moment of profound crisis for the Jewish people, underscores God's meticulous providence and perfect timing in orchestrating events to deliver His chosen people and humble His enemies.

Esther 6 2 Context

This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the book of Esther. Immediately preceding it (Esther 6:1), King Ahasuerus experienced a sleepless night. To pass the time, he commanded that the official chronicles, or historical records, of his kingdom be read to him. It is during this seemingly arbitrary selection of reading material that Esther 6:2 describes the specific entry discovered: Mordecai's past loyalty in thwarting an assassination plot against the king. This discovery occurs on the very night that Haman, filled with pride and seeking to destroy Mordecai, is coming to the palace to request the king's permission to execute Mordecai. The dramatic irony and perfect divine timing set the stage for a reversal of fortunes, marking a turning point from a plot against the Jews to the downfall of their enemy. Historically, the Persian Empire maintained detailed records of royal events and achievements, lending authenticity to the narrative.

Esther 6 2 Word analysis

• And it was found written (וַיִּמָּצֵא כָתוּב, vaiyimmatsei katuv):
  • וַיִּמָּצֵא (vayyimmatsei - "and it was found"): Derived from the verb מָצָא (matsa), meaning "to find." The niphal imperfect consecutive form here indicates a passive action that occurs unexpectedly or coincidentally from a human perspective, but from a divine perspective, it signals purposeful discovery. This highlights God's behind-the-scenes orchestration, where what appears to be a chance event is actually divinely directed. The timing of this "finding" is crucial, precisely when Haman is about to demand Mordecai's death.
  • כָתוּב (katuv - "written"): A perfect passive participle, emphasizing that the act of writing was completed and the information permanently recorded in the royal chronicles. This signifies the official and verifiable nature of Mordecai's act, which validates the record and provides concrete proof of his loyalty. This permanence allows God to retrieve and use it at the precise moment it is needed.
  • Words-group: "And it was found written": This phrase encapsulates divine providence at work. It signifies that God is meticulously preparing circumstances and details, even seemingly insignificant ones, for a later purpose. The record's existence was a passive detail, but its 'discovery' was an active, divinely timed event, turning what would have been a forgotten deed into the pivot point for Haman's demise and Mordecai's exaltation. It underscores that nothing is forgotten by God, and acts of righteousness, though unrewarded by men, are seen by Him.
• that Mordecai had told of (אֲשֶׁר הִגִּיד מָרְדְּכַי, asher higgid Mordekai):
  • הִגִּיד (higgid - "had told" or "informed"): The hiphil perfect of נָגַד (nagad), meaning "to make known, report, tell." This indicates Mordecai's active and decisive action in reporting the treason. It reflects his faithfulness not only to his position but ultimately, to God's purpose for His people by preserving the king who would issue the decree for their salvation.
  • Words-group: "Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh": This emphasizes Mordecai's integrity and his commitment to justice, even when his personal status was low (he was sitting at the king's gate). His loyalty was demonstrated proactively and without expectation of reward. This righteous act stands in stark contrast to Haman's selfish ambition and malicious scheming.
• Bigthana and Teresh (בִּגְתָנָא וָתֶרֶשׁ, Bigtana vaTeresh): These are specific, foreign (Persian) names, adding to the historical authenticity and verifiable nature of the account recorded in the royal annals. Their very mention highlights that this was a real event, not a fabricated detail.
• two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door (שְׁנֵי סָרִיסֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ שֹׁמְרֵי הַסַּף, shenei sarisei hammelech shomerei hassof):
  • סָרִיסֵי (sarisei - "chamberlains" or "eunuchs"): High-ranking officials often entrusted with close access and personal service to the king.
  • שֹׁמְרֵי הַסַּף (shomrei hassaf - "keepers of the door" or "door-keepers"): Indicating their role as guards of the palace threshold, controlling access to the king's presence. Their position granted them close proximity and significant trust, making their plot a particularly dangerous and audacious act of treason. This detail elevates the gravity of Mordecai's act in saving the king from a truly internal threat.
• who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus (אֲשֶׁר בִּקְשׁוּ לִשְׁלֹחַ יָד בַּמֶּלֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ, asher bikshu lishloach yad bammelech Achashverosh):
  • בִּקְשׁוּ (bikshu - "sought" or "planned"): The Piel perfect of בָּקַשׁ (baqash), meaning "to seek, to aim at." It conveys deliberate intention and effort in their plot.
  • לִשְׁלֹחַ יָד בַּמֶּלֶךְ (lishloach yad bammelech - "to lay hand on the king"): An idiomatic expression for violence or harm, specifically assassination or an attempt on the king's life. This makes clear the extreme threat Mordecai uncovered.
  • Words-group: "who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus": This phrase details the serious nature of the foiled plot—an act of high treason aiming at regicide. Mordecai's intervention wasn't trivial; he prevented a state crisis and saved the king's life, an act that remained unrecognized by the king for years until the divine moment. This detail amplifies the poetic justice that follows, as the one who saved the king is honored, while the one who plotted against the king's protector faces destruction.

Esther 6 2 Bonus section

• The Silence of God: The book of Esther is unique in the Bible for never explicitly mentioning God's name. However, Esther 6:2 exemplifies that God's presence and activity are overwhelmingly evident through His providential timing and the arrangement of human affairs. This verse particularly underscores the concept of Providence Obscura—God working behind the scenes in ways that might appear natural or coincidental from a human perspective, yet are precisely coordinated by Him.
• Contrast between Haman and Mordecai: This verse highlights Mordecai's forgotten act of selfless loyalty, saving the king's life without immediate reward. This stands in stark contrast to Haman's character, who, at this very moment, is consumed by self-aggrandizement and is planning to execute Mordecai due to pride and hatred. The universe seems to align, not by chance, but by divine design, to expose Haman's wicked heart while bringing Mordecai's quiet righteousness to light.
• Reliability of Ancient Records: The reference to the "book of chronicles of the kingdom" emphasizes the meticulous record-keeping of the Persian Empire. This detail, verified by historical and archaeological findings, adds credibility to the biblical account and shows that God uses even the mundane, secular systems of the world to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

Esther 6 2 Commentary

Esther 6:2 acts as the crucial hinge upon which the entire narrative of Esther pivots. It highlights God's unseen, yet undeniable, hand of providence, transforming a human king's restless night and a mundane administrative task into the catalyst for His divine plan. The "finding" of this written record is no accident; it is a divinely orchestrated moment. For years, Mordecai's act of loyalty remained unrewarded and seemingly forgotten by human systems, demonstrating that God remembers what man overlooks. This precise recall of a righteous deed not only sets in motion Haman's dramatic fall but also secures Mordecai's elevation and, ultimately, the deliverance of the Jewish people from genocide. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is active even when His name is not explicitly mentioned, working through secular means, human leaders, and seemingly coincidental events to accomplish His perfect will for His people.