King James Version

What Does Esther 6:1 Mean?

Esther 6:1 in the King James Version says “On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles ; and they were ...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles ; and they were read before the king. could: Heb. the king's sleep fled away”

Esther 6:1 · KJV

Context

1

On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles ; and they were read before the king. could: Heb. the king's sleep fled away

2

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. Bigthana: or, Bigthan door: Heb. threshold

3

And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Sleepless night: 'On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king'. The king's insomnia on the precise night needed for Mordecai's honor and Haman's exposure demonstrates God's providence. That he chose to read chronicles (rather than entertainment) and that they read specifically the account of Mordecai's discovery of the assassination plot (Esther 2:21-23) shows divine orchestration of apparently random events. God governs even sleep patterns and reading choices to accomplish redemptive purposes. This 'coincidence' became pivot point for reversal of Haman's plot.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient kings kept official chronicles recording significant events. Persian royal annals documented both great deeds and potential threats, creating historical record. That Ahasuerus couldn't sleep 'on that night'—the night before Haman planned to request Mordecai's execution—shows remarkable timing. That he happened to hear about Mordecai's unrewarded service at precisely this moment positioned Mordecai for honor and exposed Haman's plot. Jewish tradition recognizes this as divine intervention—God keeping the king awake and directing his attention to precisely the right record. Providence works through insomnia and administrative records.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's governance of the king's sleeplessness demonstrate His sovereignty over details we might consider trivial?
  2. What does this teach about recognizing divine providence in seemingly random circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה1 of 16

“On that night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

הַה֔וּא2 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

נָֽדְדָ֖ה3 of 16

“could not”

H5074

properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away

שְׁנַ֣ת4 of 16

“sleep”

H8142

sleep

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃5 of 16

“the king”

H4428

a king

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר6 of 16

“and he commanded”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְהָבִ֞יא7 of 16

“to bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת8 of 16
H853

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

סֵ֤פֶר9 of 16

“the book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

הַזִּכְרֹנוֹת֙10 of 16

“of records”

H2146

a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)

דִּבְרֵ֣י11 of 16

“of the chronicles”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַיָּמִ֔ים12 of 16
H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ13 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נִקְרָאִ֖ים14 of 16

“and they were read”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לִפְנֵ֥י15 of 16

“before”

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

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃16 of 16

“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 6:1 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 6:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 6:18Daniel 2:1Esther 10:2Esther 2:23Romans 11:331 Samuel 23:26-27

Test Your Knowledge

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