King James Version

What Does Esther 2:16 Mean?

Esther 2:16 in the King James Version says “So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seven...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.”

Esther 2:16 · KJV

Context

14

In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

15

Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

16

So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17

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. favour: or, kindness in his: Heb. before him

18

Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. release: Heb. rest

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The specific chronological marker—"the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year"—indicates approximately four years after Vashti's removal in year three (1:3). This extended timeline accommodated Xerxes' Greek campaign (480 BCE) and the elaborate candidate selection process. The passive voice "Esther was taken" maintains emphasis on providence rather than human agency—she didn't seize this opportunity but was carried by circumstances beyond her control. The timing proves providentially perfect: not too early (before the mechanism existed for her to help her people) nor too late (after Haman's plot might have been irrevocable). God's providence operates with perfect timing, positioning His servants exactly when and where needed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tebeth corresponds to December-January, making this a winter month when the court would be in Shushan rather than summer capitals like Persepolis or Ecbatana. The seventh year of Ahasuerus/Xerxes' reign was approximately 479/478 BCE, shortly after his disastrous defeat in Greece at Salamis (480 BCE) and Plataea (479 BCE). The military humiliation and enormous casualties may have left the king especially receptive to the distraction and consolation of a beautiful new queen. God's providence uses even military defeats and political crises to position His servants. The four-year gap between Vashti's removal and Esther's coronation demonstrates that God's timing, though sometimes lengthy from human perspective, perfectly accomplishes His purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the extended timeline (four years from Vashti's removal to Esther's selection) teach patience in trusting God's providence when His purposes unfold slowly?
  2. What does the specific timing—after Xerxes' military defeat—suggest about how God uses even disasters to create openness for His redemptive purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַתִּלָּקַ֨ח1 of 16

“was taken”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶסְתֵּ֜ר2 of 16

“So Esther”

H635

ester, the jewish heroine

אֶל3 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ4 of 16

“unto king”

H4428

a king

אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ֙5 of 16

“Ahasuerus”

H325

achashverosh (i.e., ahasuerus or artaxerxes, but in this case xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a persian king

אֶל6 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֣ית7 of 16

“into his house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃8 of 16

“of his reign”

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

חֹ֣דֶשׁ9 of 16

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽעֲשִׂירִ֖י10 of 16

“in the tenth”

H6224

tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part

הוּא11 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

חֹ֣דֶשׁ12 of 16

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

טֵבֵ֑ת13 of 16

“Tebeth”

H2887

tebeth, the tenth hebrew month

בִּשְׁנַת14 of 16

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שֶׁ֖בַע15 of 16

“in the seventh”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃16 of 16

“of his reign”

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Esther. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Esther 2:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Esther 2:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 8:9Ezra 7:8Esther 2:3Esther 2:1

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