Topical Bible: King: Ahasuerus

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Topical Encyclopedia

Ahasuerus is a name mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, most notably associated with the Persian king in the Book of Esther. The identification of Ahasuerus has been a subject of scholarly debate, but he is commonly equated with Xerxes I, who reigned over the Persian Empire from 486 to 465 BC. The name Ahasuerus is derived from the Hebrew "אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ" (Achashverosh).

Biblical References:

1. Book of Esther: Ahasuerus is the central figure in the Book of Esther, where he is depicted as the king of Persia who rules over 127 provinces from India to Cush (Esther 1:1). The narrative begins with Ahasuerus hosting a grand banquet in the third year of his reign, showcasing the wealth and splendor of his kingdom (Esther 1:3-4). It is during this banquet that Queen Vashti refuses to appear before the king, leading to her removal and the subsequent rise of Esther as queen (Esther 1:10-12, 2:17).

2. Role in the Jewish Deliverance: Ahasuerus plays a pivotal role in the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot orchestrated by Haman, his prime minister. Haman, harboring hatred for the Jew Mordecai, convinces Ahasuerus to issue a decree for the annihilation of all Jews in the empire (Esther 3:8-11). However, through Esther's courageous intervention and a series of providential events, Ahasuerus is persuaded to issue a counter-decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves (Esther 8:5-8).

3. Character and Governance: Ahasuerus is portrayed as a monarch who is susceptible to the influence of his advisors, as seen in his decisions regarding Vashti and Haman. His character is complex, displaying both moments of impulsive decision-making and acts of generosity, such as his favor towards Esther and Mordecai (Esther 2:17, 6:10-11).

4. Historical Context: Historically, Ahasuerus is often identified with Xerxes I, known for his failed invasion of Greece and his grandiose building projects. The opulence and administrative structure of his reign, as described in the Book of Esther, align with historical accounts of Xerxes' rule.

5. Other Biblical Mentions: The name Ahasuerus also appears in the Book of Ezra (Ezra 4:6), where it refers to a king who received accusations against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. This reference is less detailed and is often considered to be the same Ahasuerus of Esther, though some scholars suggest it could refer to a different ruler.

Theological Significance:

Ahasuerus' reign is significant in the biblical narrative for illustrating God's providence and protection over His people, even in a foreign land. The events in the Book of Esther highlight themes of divine sovereignty, human agency, and the reversal of fortunes, as seen in the downfall of Haman and the elevation of Mordecai. Ahasuerus' decisions, though influenced by human counsel, ultimately serve the divine purpose of preserving the Jewish people, through whom the Messiah would come.

Nave's Topical Index

Esther 1:7,10
And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
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Esther 5:6
And the king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, What is your petition? and it shall be granted you: and what is your request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
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Esther 7:2
And the king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is your petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted you: and what is your request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew

325. Achashverosh -- king of Persia
... 10:1); of Persian origin; Achashverosh (ie Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this
case Xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a Persian king -- Ahasuerus. ...
/hebrew/325.htm - 6k

Library

The Net Spread
... THE BOOK OF ESTHER THE NET SPREAD. 'After these things did king Ahasuerus promote
Haman the son of ... Ahasuerus is the vain-glorious king known to us as Xerxes. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the net spread.htm

In the Days of Queen Esther
... On the day appointed for their destruction, "the Jews gathered themselves together
in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 49 in the days.htm

Esther Before the King.
... Ahasuerus promoted Haman, one of his courtiers, a cruel and wicked man, to be ... with
wrath against Mordecai and his people, and obtained from the king a decree ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/esther before the king.htm

The Net Broken
... 7. Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen, and to Mordecai the Jew,
Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the net broken.htm

God Does Whatsoever He Wills in the Hearts of Even Wicked Men.
... Then there is the book of Esther, who was a woman of the people of Israel, and in
the land of their captivity became the wife of the foreign King Ahasuerus. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 42 xxigod does whatsoever.htm

The Restoration.
... The Story of Esther. King Ahasuerus of the book of Esther is thought to be
Xerxes the Great. On this view the events narrated occurred ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvi the restoration.htm

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
... King Ahasuerus held out to Esther the golden sceptre (Esther 5:2); and the saints
in glory have their sceptre, and palms in their hands' (Revelation 7). It was ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/5 the poor in spirit.htm

The Full Measure
... "And it is to the emptied and the hungry that thus He comes, as it is written of
the King Ahasuerus, who saw the beloved Esther pale and trembling, and who saw ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxv the full measure.htm

On the Worthy Praise of the Pure Queen of Heaven.
... O, thou lovely divine spouse elect, if King Ahasuerus was captivated by the beauty
of Esther, if she was found pleasing in his eyes above all women, if she ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xvi on the worthy.htm

Esther, the Queen.
... THE OLD TESTAMENT CHAPTER XXXIV. ESTHER, THE QUEEN. About five hundred years
before Christ King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) reigned over Persia. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxiv esther the queen.htm