King James Version

What Does Esther 2:17 Mean?

Esther 2:17 in the King James Version says “And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins;... — study this verse from Esther chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Esther 2:17 · KJV


Context

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

19

And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Esther becomes queen: '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'. Ahasuerus's love for Esther led to her coronation, fulfilling God's providential plan. The phrase 'obtained grace and favour' (hesed ve-chen) uses covenant language—Esther found unmerited favor. Her selection over many candidates shows God's providence governing even pagan king's romantic preferences. The replacement of Vashti completed, Esther now positioned to intercede for Jews when crisis comes. God's 'hidden' sovereignty (His name never appears in Esther) works through natural attraction, beauty contests, and palace intrigue.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Persian royal marriages involved political considerations—queens came from noble families creating alliances. Esther's selection despite unknown background (she concealed Jewish identity per Mordecai's instruction, Esther 2:10) shows the king's genuine attraction. Archaeological evidence from Persepolis shows elaborate harems and beauty preparation processes. The four-year gap between Vashti's removal (Esther 1:3, third year) and Esther's coronation (Esther 2:16, seventh year) included Xerxes' Greek campaign (480 BCE), explaining delay. Esther's coronation positioned her strategically but didn't guarantee she could influence the king—approaching unbidden meant death (Esther 4:11). Only God's further providence would enable her intervention when needed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's governance of human romantic preferences demonstrate His comprehensive sovereignty?
  2. What does Esther's unlikely rise teach about God positioning unlikely people for crucial kingdom roles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֶּֽאֱהַ֨ב1 of 19

loved

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ2 of 19

And the king

H4428

a king

אֶת3 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶסְתֵּר֙4 of 19

Esther

H635

ester, the jewish heroine

מִכָּל5 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַנָּשִׁ֔ים6 of 19

above all the women

H802

a woman

וַתִּשָּׂא7 of 19

and she obtained

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

חֵ֥ן8 of 19

grace

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

וָחֶ֛סֶד9 of 19

and favour

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

לְפָנָ֖יו10 of 19

in his sight

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מִכָּל11 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַבְּתוּלֹ֑ת12 of 19

more than all the virgins

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

וַיָּ֤שֶׂם13 of 19

so that he set

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

כֶּֽתֶר14 of 19

crown

H3804

properly, a circlet, i.e., a diadem

מַלְכוּת֙15 of 19

the royal

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

בְּרֹאשָׁ֔הּ16 of 19

upon her head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וַיַּמְלִיכֶ֖הָ17 of 19

and made her queen

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

תַּ֥חַת18 of 19
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

וַשְׁתִּֽי׃19 of 19

instead of Vashti

H2060

vashti, the queen of xerxes


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 2:17 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 2:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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