Ahasuerus
Ahasuerus in the Bible — King of Persia (EZR 4:6). Referenced in 4 scripture passages.
Name meaning: “prince; head; chief”
Profile
- Gender
- male
- Scripture References
- 4 references
- Known Names
- 2 names
- Relationships
- 2 connections
Biography
Ahasuerus is a male figure identified as the King of Persia, as noted in Ezra 4:6. He is the same individual mentioned in Esther 1:1 and Daniel 9:1, confirming his role as a significant Persian ruler during the biblical period. Scripture does not specify his tribal affiliation. His reign is central to the historical context of these books.
Names & Titles
The name Ahasuerus, meaning Xerxes, is a proper name referenced in Ezra 4:6. Additionally, he is referred to by the title King Ahasuerus in Esther 1:2, which simply denotes his royal status without a special divine attribution or meaning.
Family
Scripture records that Ahasuerus was the husband of Vashti, as inferred from Esther 1:9. He is also identified as an ancestor of Darius, according to Daniel 9:1. Beyond these relationships, no further family details are provided in the biblical text.
Significance
Ahasuerus holds a pivotal role in the biblical narrative as the Persian monarch during whose reign key events in Esther and Daniel unfold. His kingship provides the backdrop for God's providential protection of His people, especially in the book of Esther. His mention in Daniel connects him to the broader prophetic timeline concerning Persia's influence in biblical history.
Names & Labels (2)
- Hebrew
- אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
- Transliteration
- achashəverosh
- Meaning
- Xerxes
- Greek
- Ασουηρου
- Reference
- EZR 4:6
- Strong's
- H325
- Hebrew
- מֶּלֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
- Transliteration
- melek achashəverosh
- Meaning
- King Ahasureus
- Greek
- βασιλεὺς Ἀρταξέρξης
- Reference
- EST 1:2
- Strong's
- H4428, H325
Notes
This is the same person in Esther 1:1 and Daniel 9:1
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ahasuerus in the Bible?
Ahasuerus is a male figure identified as the King of Persia, as noted in Ezra 4:6. He is the same individual mentioned in Esther 1:1 and Daniel 9:1, confirming his role as a significant Persian ruler during the biblical period. Scripture does not specify his tribal affiliation. His reign is central to the historical context of these books.
What does the name Ahasuerus mean?
The name Ahasuerus means “prince; head; chief” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.