Esther 2:17

17 And the king loved Esther more fervently than all women, and she had grace and mercy before him over all other women; and he setted the diadem, or crown, of the realm on her head, and made her to reign in the stead of Vashti. (And the king loved Esther more fervently than all the other women, and she received more favour and love from him than all the other women; and he put a crown of his kingdom on her head, and he made her the queen in place of Vashti.)

Esther 2:17 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 2:17

And the king loved Esther above all the women
The virgins he made his concubines, as next explained; though Jarchi interprets it of married women, for such he supposes were gathered and brought to him, as well as virgins:

and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the
virgins;
who had been purified, and in their turns brought to him:

so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen
instead of Vashti;
declared her queen, and gave her all the ensigns of royalty: so it was usual with the eastern kings to put a crown or diadem on the heads of their wives at the time of marriage, and declare them queens F19.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 Vid. Paschalium de Coronis, l. 10. c. 8. p. 689.

Esther 2:17 In-Context

15 And when the time was turned about by order, the day nighed, wherein Esther, the daughter of Abihail, the brother of Mordecai, the which Esther Mordecai had taken to him, and made her his daughter, ought to enter to the king; and she asked not (for) women's ornament(s), but whatever things Hegai, the honest servant and chaste (the honest and chaste servant), and keeper of the virgins, would, he gave these things to Esther to her ornament; for she was full shapely, and of fairness that may not lightly be believed, and she was seen (to be) gracious and amiable to the eyes of all men. (And so the time turned about, and the day nighed, when, by turn, Esther, the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai, this Esther which Mordecai had taken unto himself, and had made her his own daughter, ought to go in to the king; and she asked not for any women's ornaments, or adornment, but whatever things the eunuch Hegai, the keeper of the virgins, desired, he gave these things to Esther for her adornment; and certainly she was very shapely, and had a beauty that could not easily be believed, and she was seen to be gracious and amiable in the eyes of all people.)
16 Therefore she was led to the bed of king Ahasuerus, in the tenth month, which is called Tebeth, in the seventh year of his realm. (And so she was led to King Ahasuerus? bed, in the tenth month, which is called Tebeth, or January, in the seventh year of his reign.)
17 And the king loved Esther more fervently than all women, and she had grace and mercy before him over all other women; and he setted the diadem, or crown, of the realm on her head, and made her to reign in the stead of Vashti. (And the king loved Esther more fervently than all the other women, and she received more favour and love from him than all the other women; and he put a crown of his kingdom on her head, and he made her the queen in place of Vashti.)
18 And he commanded a full worshipful feast to be made ready to all his princes and servants, for the joining together and the weddings of Esther; and he gave rest, that is, (the) releasing of tribute, to all provinces, and gave gifts, after the worshipful doing of a prince. (And he commanded that a large feast be prepared for all his princes, or his leaders, and his servants in honour of Esther, and their joining together by their wedding; and he gave rest, that is, an amnesty from taxation, to all his provinces, and also gifts worthy of a king.)
19 And when (the) virgins were sought also the second time, and were gathered together, Mordecai dwelled at the gate of the king. (And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai sat at the king's gate./And meanwhile Mordecai was in attendance at the royal court.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.