Esther 10:1
New International Version
King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores.

New Living Translation
King Xerxes imposed a tribute throughout his empire, even to the distant coastlands.

English Standard Version
King Ahasuerus imposed tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.

Berean Standard Bible
Now King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the land, even to its farthest shores.

King James Bible
And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.

New King James Version
And King Ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea.

New American Standard Bible
Now King Ahasuerus imposed a tax on the land and the coastlands of the sea.

NASB 1995
Now King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.

NASB 1977
Now King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then King Ahasuerus set forced labor upon the land and the coastlands of the sea.

Amplified Bible
King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) imposed a tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.

Christian Standard Bible
King Ahasuerus imposed a tax throughout the land even to the farthest shores.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
King Ahasuerus imposed a tax throughout the land even to the farthest shores.

American Standard Version
And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.

Contemporary English Version
King Xerxes made everyone in his kingdom pay taxes, even those in lands across the sea.

English Revised Version
And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
King Xerxes levied a tax on the country and the islands of the sea.

Good News Translation
King Xerxes imposed forced labor on the people of the coastal regions of his empire as well as on those of the interior.

International Standard Version
King Ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea.

Majority Standard Bible
Now King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the land, even to its farthest shores.

NET Bible
King Ahasuerus then imposed forced labor on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.

New Heart English Bible
King Achshayarsh laid a tribute on the land, and on the islands of the sea.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.

World English Bible
King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And King Ahasuerus sets a tribute on the land and the islands of the sea;

Young's Literal Translation
And the king Ahasuerus setteth a tribute on the land and the isles of the sea;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king Ahasuerus will set up a tribute upon the land, and the isles of the sea.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And king Assuerus made all the land, and all the islands of the sea tributary.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Truly, king Artaxerxes made all the land, and all the islands of the sea, tributaries.

New American Bible
King Ahasuerus levied a tax on the land and on the islands of the sea.

New Revised Standard Version
King Ahasuerus laid tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AND King Akhshirash laid a tribute upon the whole land and upon the Islands of the sea.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And King Akhashiresh laid a tax upon all the land and upon the islands of the sea.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king levied a tax upon his kingdom both by land and sea.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Tribute to Xerxes and Mordecai
1Now King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the land, even to its farthest shores. 2And all of Mordecai’s powerful and magnificent accomplishments, together with the full account of the greatness to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?…

Cross References
1 Kings 4:21
And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

2 Chronicles 9:26
He reigned over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.

Ezra 4:20
And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.

Nehemiah 9:37
Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us because of our sins. And they rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.

Daniel 6:25-26
Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language throughout the land: “May your prosperity abound. / I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end.

1 Kings 10:24-25
The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. / Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

2 Kings 15:19-20
Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom. / Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—fifty shekels of silver from each man—to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land.

2 Kings 23:33-35
And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. / Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died. / So Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh Neco, but to meet Pharaoh’s demand he taxed the land and exacted the silver and the gold from the people, each according to his wealth.

Isaiah 36:1
In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah.

Jeremiah 25:9-11
behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. / Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp. / And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.

Matthew 22:17-21
So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” / But Jesus knew their evil intent and said, “You hypocrites, why are you testing Me? / Show Me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. ...

Luke 2:1-3
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. / This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. / And everyone went to his own town to register.

Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

Revelation 17:12-13
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast. / These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.


Treasury of Scripture

And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land, and on the isles of the sea.

laid a tribute.

Esther 1:1
Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

Esther 8:9
Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

Luke 2:1
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

the isles.

Genesis 10:5
By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

Psalm 72:10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Isaiah 24:15
Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.

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Ahasuerus Ahasu-E'rus Coastlands Distant Empire Imposed Islands Isles Laid Sea Shores Tax Throughout Tribute Xerxes
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Ahasuerus Ahasu-E'rus Coastlands Distant Empire Imposed Islands Isles Laid Sea Shores Tax Throughout Tribute Xerxes
Esther 10
1. Xerxes' greatness.
3. Mordecai's advancement.














Now King Xerxes
King Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus in Hebrew, was the ruler of the Persian Empire from 486 to 465 BC. He is historically recognized as Xerxes I, the son of Darius the Great. His reign is noted for its vast empire, stretching from India to Ethiopia, and for his ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful campaign against Greece. In the biblical narrative, Xerxes is the king who chose Esther as his queen, setting the stage for the events in the Book of Esther. His character is often seen as a type of worldly power and authority, contrasting with the divine providence that guides the story.

imposed tribute
Tribute was a common practice in ancient empires, serving as a means of asserting control and generating revenue. It involved the collection of taxes or goods from conquered territories. This practice is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in 2 Kings 23:33-35, where Pharaoh Neco imposed tribute on Judah. The imposition of tribute by Xerxes reflects the administrative and economic strategies of the Persian Empire, which relied on a complex system of satrapies and local governance to maintain its vast territories.

throughout the land
The phrase "throughout the land" indicates the extensive reach of Xerxes' rule. The Persian Empire was one of the largest empires in ancient history, encompassing diverse cultures and peoples. This vastness is echoed in Esther 1:1, which describes the empire as stretching from India to Cush. The administration of such a large territory required efficient systems of communication and governance, which were facilitated by the Royal Road and other infrastructure.

even to its farthest shores
The "farthest shores" likely refer to the extremities of the Persian Empire, which included regions along the Mediterranean Sea and possibly the Indian Ocean. This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Xerxes' authority and the extent of his dominion. It also highlights the geopolitical significance of the empire, which served as a bridge between East and West. The mention of distant shores can be seen as a reminder of the global scope of God's providence, as the events in Esther ultimately lead to the preservation of the Jewish people, ensuring the continuation of the messianic line.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Xerxes (Ahasuerus)
The Persian king who reigned during the events of the Book of Esther. Known for his vast empire and significant influence, he plays a central role in the account.

2. Tribute
A form of tax or levy imposed by a ruler on the people or territories under his control. In this context, it signifies the extent of Xerxes' dominion and authority.

3. The Land and Its Farthest Shores
This phrase indicates the vastness of Xerxes' empire, stretching from India to Ethiopia, as described earlier in the book. It underscores the reach and power of his rule.
Teaching Points
Understanding Authority
Recognize the role of government and authority as instituted by God. Tribute and taxes are part of the structure that maintains order and governance.

Stewardship and Responsibility
As Christians, we are called to be responsible citizens, which includes fulfilling our obligations such as paying taxes. This reflects our integrity and witness to the world.

God's Sovereignty
Even in secular governance, God's sovereignty is at work. The imposition of tribute by King Xerxes serves as a reminder that God can use any ruler or system to accomplish His purposes.

Historical Context
Understanding the historical and cultural context of biblical events enriches our comprehension of Scripture. The vastness of Xerxes' empire and his imposition of tribute reflect the political and economic realities of the time.X.

(1) Laid a tribute.--The disastrous expedition to Greece must have taxed the resources of the empire to the utmost, and fresh tribute would therefore be requisite to fill the exhausted coffers. Besides this, a harassing war was still going on, even ten years after the battle of Salamis, on the coast of Asia Minor, and this would require fresh supplies.

The isles of the sea.--The chief island yet remaining to the Persian Empire was Cyprus. Those in the 'gean Sea were now free from Persian rule, but possibly, even after the loss, the old phrase may have been retained; just as in modern times we have Kings of "England, France, and Ireland," and of "the two Sicilies, and Jerusalem" &c.

Verse 1. - King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land. Darius, the son of Hystaspes, was the first to do this (Herod., 3:89); but, as the tribute had to be rearranged from time to time (ibid., 6:42), any subsequent Persian monarch who made a fresh arrangement might be said to "lay a tribute on the land." Xerxes is not unlikely to have done so after his return from Greece, as he had lost portions of his territories. And on the islands of the sea. The Hebrew expression translated by "islands of the sea" includes maritime tracts. Xerxes by the Greek expedition lost the islands of the AEgean, but still held certain tracts upon the coast of Europe, which were occupied for a considerable time by Persian garrisons (Herod., 7:106, 107). These would necessarily be included in any assessment that he may have made, and it is even not unlikely that Xerxes would lay his assessment on the AEgean islands, though he might not be able to collect it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
King
הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Xerxes
אֲחַשְׁוֵר֧וֹשׁ ׀ (’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 325: Ahasuerus -- king of Persia

imposed
וַיָּשֶׂם֩ (way·yā·śem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

tribute
מַ֛ס (mas)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4522: Body of forced laborers, forced service, taskworkers, taskwork, serfdom

throughout
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the land,
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

even to its farthest shores.
וְאִיֵּ֥י (wə·’î·yê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 339: A habitable spot, dry land, a coast, an island


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OT History: Esther 10:1 King Ahasuerus laid a tribute (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 9:32
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