Esther 2:16

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתִּלָּקַ֨ח
was taken
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#2
אֶסְתֵּ֜ר
So Esther
ester, the jewish heroine
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ
unto king
a king
#5
אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ֙
Ahasuerus
achashverosh (i.e., ahasuerus or artaxerxes, but in this case xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a persian king
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
בֵּ֣ית
into his house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#8
לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃
of his reign
a rule; concretely, a dominion
#9
חֹ֣דֶשׁ
month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#10
הָֽעֲשִׂירִ֖י
in the tenth
tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part
#11
הוּא
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
#12
חֹ֣דֶשׁ
month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#13
טֵבֵ֑ת
Tebeth
tebeth, the tenth hebrew month
#14
בִּשְׁנַת
year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#15
שֶׁ֖בַע
in the seventh
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#16
לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃
of his reign
a rule; concretely, a dominion

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to Esther. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of kingdom of God within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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