King James Version

What Does Esther 2:18 Mean?

Esther 2:18 in the King James Version says “Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to th... — study this verse from Esther chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Esther 2:18 · KJV


Context

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.

20

Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Ahasuerus celebrated Esther's coronation with another feast, called "Esther's feast" (mishteh Ester, מִשְׁתֵּה אֶסְתֵּר), honoring his new queen. The "release to the provinces" (hanachah, הֲנָחָה) likely means tax remission or amnesty—a common practice when Eastern monarchs celebrated joyous occasions. The phrase "gave gifts, according to the state of the king" emphasizes royal generosity befitting imperial majesty. This celebration publicly legitimized Esther's position and created goodwill throughout the empire. Ironically, the king who issued an empire-wide decree about male household authority (1:22) now exalts a woman to the empire's highest female position. God's providence works through such ironies and contradictions.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern monarchs celebrated significant events with public festivals, tax relief, and gift distribution. These practices served political purposes: building popular support, demonstrating wealth and power, and creating obligations through royal generosity. Tax remission particularly endeared kings to subjects, as it provided tangible benefit to common people throughout the empire. The gifts probably went to nobility and officials rather than common people, maintaining patronage networks crucial to political stability. That this feast is specifically named "Esther's feast" indicates it was remembered and perhaps annually commemorated, at least initially. Archaeological evidence from Persian sources confirms such royal celebrations and their propagandistic purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the king's public celebration of Esther teach about how God positions His servants not secretly but with public recognition and legitimacy?
  2. How does the irony of the king exalting Esther after decreeing male household supremacy demonstrate God's sovereignty over human inconsistency?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
עָשָׂ֔ה1 of 17

and he made

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃2 of 17

Then the king

H4428

a king

מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה3 of 17

feast

H4960

drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast

גָד֗וֹל4 of 17

a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

לְכָל5 of 17
H3605

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

שָׂרָיו֙6 of 17

unto all his princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וַֽעֲבָדָ֔יו7 of 17

and his servants

H5650

a servant

אֵ֖ת8 of 17
H853

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

מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה9 of 17

feast

H4960

drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast

אֶסְתֵּ֑ר10 of 17

even Esther's

H635

ester, the jewish heroine

וַֽהֲנָחָ֤ה11 of 17

a release

H2010

permission of rest, i.e., quiet

לַמְּדִינוֹת֙12 of 17

to the provinces

H4082

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

עָשָׂ֔ה13 of 17

and he made

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וַיִּתֵּ֥ן14 of 17

and gave

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

מַשְׂאֵ֖ת15 of 17

gifts

H4864

properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising (of flame); figuratively, an utterance; concretely, a beacon (as raised); a pr

כְּיַ֥ד16 of 17

according to the state

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃17 of 17

Then the king

H4428

a king


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 2:18 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 2:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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