Esther 6:1
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.
Original Language Analysis
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה
On that night
H3915
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה
On that night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 16
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
נָֽדְדָ֖ה
could not
H5074
נָֽדְדָ֖ה
could not
Strong's:
H5074
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
סֵ֤פֶר
the book
H5612
סֵ֤פֶר
the book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
הַזִּכְרֹנוֹת֙
of records
H2146
הַזִּכְרֹנוֹת֙
of records
Strong's:
H2146
Word #:
10 of 16
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
דִּבְרֵ֣י
of the chronicles
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֣י
of the chronicles
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַיָּמִ֔ים
H3117
הַיָּמִ֔ים
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 of 16
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
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
H1961
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
נִקְרָאִ֖ים
and they were read
H7121
נִקְרָאִ֖ים
and they were read
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
14 of 16
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Daniel 6:18Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.Daniel 2:1And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.Esther 2:23And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.Isaiah 41:17When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.Romans 11:33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!Genesis 22:14And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.Esther 10:2And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?Malachi 3:16Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.Esther 5:8If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's governance of the king's sleeplessness demonstrate His sovereignty over details we might consider trivial?
- What does this teach about recognizing divine providence in seemingly random circumstances?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.