Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Xerxes I, also known as Ahasuerus in the Hebrew Bible, was a Persian king who reigned from 486 to 465 BC. He is a significant figure in biblical history, particularly in the Book of Esther, where he is depicted as the ruler of the vast Persian Empire. His reign is marked by both his ambitious military campaigns and his role in the narrative of Esther, which highlights themes of providence, deliverance, and the survival of the Jewish people.
Historical Context:Xerxes was the son of Darius I and Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus the Great. He inherited a vast empire that stretched from India to Ethiopia, encompassing many diverse peoples and cultures. His reign is noted for the continuation of his father's policies and the expansion of the empire's infrastructure, including the completion of the royal palace at Persepolis.
Military Campaigns:Xerxes is perhaps best known for his military campaigns against Greece, particularly the famous battles of Thermopylae and Salamis. These campaigns were part of his efforts to expand Persian influence into Europe, but they ultimately ended in failure, marking a turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars. His defeat at Salamis in 480 BC was a significant blow to Persian ambitions in the West.
Xerxes in the Bible:In the biblical narrative, Xerxes is identified as Ahasuerus, the king who chose Esther as his queen. The Book of Esther provides a detailed account of his reign, focusing on the events that led to the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate them. The account unfolds in the Persian capital of Susa, where Esther, a Jewish woman, becomes queen and uses her influence to thwart the plans of Haman, the king's advisor, who sought to destroy the Jews.
Key Biblical Passages:·
Esther 1:1-2 : "This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush. In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa."
·
Esther 2:17 : "And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti."
·
Esther 3:1-2 : "After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor."
Theological Significance:The account of Xerxes in the Book of Esther is a profound illustration of God's providence and sovereignty. Despite the absence of any direct mention of God in the text, His hand is evident in the preservation of the Jewish people. Esther's courage and Mordecai's wisdom are instrumental in the deliverance of their people, showcasing the importance of faith and obedience in the face of adversity.
Cultural and Religious Impact:The events of the Book of Esther are commemorated annually in the Jewish festival of Purim, which celebrates the survival of the Jewish people and the reversal of their fortunes. Xerxes' role in this narrative underscores the interplay between divine providence and human agency, as well as the enduring theme of God's protection over His chosen people.
Conclusion:Xerxes, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a reminder of the complexities of leadership and the impact of individual actions on the course of history. His interactions with Esther and Mordecai highlight the potential for redemption and deliverance even within the context of a foreign empire.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
XERXESzerks'-ez: The name is an attempt to transliterate into Greek (Xerxes) the Persian Khshayarsha. The same word in unpointed Hebrew took the form 'chshwrsh, probably pronounced 'achshawarash, but at a later time it was wrongly vocalized so as to produce 'achashwerosh, from whence "Ahasuerus" in English versions of the Bible comes.
Xerxes was king of Persia in 485-465 B.C. The first part of his reign was marked by the famous campaign into Greece, beginning in 483. After the defeat at Salamis in 480 Xerxes himself withdrew from the expedition and it was finally discontinued in the next year. During the remainder of his reign, Xerxes seems to have spent a listless existence, absorbed in intrigues of the harem, and leaving the government to be carried on by his ministers and favorites (often slaves). He was finally murdered by his vizier and left an unenviable reputation for caprice and cruelty. For the various Biblical references see AHASUERUS.
Burton Scott Easton
Strong's Hebrew
783b. Artachshast -- a son and successor ofXerxes, king of Persia... 783a, 783b. Artachshast. 784 . a son and successor of
Xerxes, king of Persia.
Transliteration: Artachshast Short Definition: Artaxerxes.
...783a. Artachshasta -- a son and successor ofXerxes, king of...
... 783, 783a. Artachshasta. 783b . a son and successor ofXerxes, king of Persia.
Transliteration: Artachshasta Short Definition: Artaxerxes....
783. Artachshashta' -- a son and successor ofXerxes, king of...
... a son and successor ofXerxes, king of Persia. Transliteration: Artachshashta' Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-takh-shash-taw') Short Definition: Artaxerxes. Artaxerxes...
3752. Karkas -- a eunuch of Ahasuerus
... Of Persian origin; Karkas, a eunuch ofXerxes: Of Persian origin; Karkas, a eunuch
ofXerxes: 3751, 3752. Karkas. 3753 . Strong's Numbers.
8657. Teresh -- a eunuch of Ahasuerus
... Usage Teresh (2). Teresh. Of foreign derivation; Teresh, a eunuch ofXerxes --
Teresh. 8656, 8657. Teresh. 8658 . Strong's Numbers.
5. Abagtha -- a eunuch of Ahasuerus
... Word Usage Abagtha (1). Abagtha. Of foreign origin; Abagtha, a eunuch of
Xerxes -- Abagtha. 4, 5. Abagtha. 6 . Strong's Numbers.
904. Bigthan -- a eunuch of Ahasuerus
... Bigthan, Bigthana. Or Bigthanad {big-thaw'naw}; of similar derivation to Bigtha';
Bigthan or Bigthana, a eunuch ofXerxes -- Bigthan, Bigthana....
903. Bigtha -- a eunuch of Ahasuerus
... Usage Bigtha (1). Bigtha. Of Persian derivation; Bigtha, a eunuch ofXerxes --
Bigtha. 902, 903. Bigtha. 904 . Strong's Numbers.
2726. Charbona -- eunuch of Ahasuerus
... Harbona, Harbonah. Or Charbownah {khar-bo-naw'}; of Persian origin; Charbona or
Charbonah, a eunuch ofXerxes -- Harbona, Harbonah. 2725, 2726....
2060. Vashti -- queen of Pers.
... NASB Word Usage Vashti (10). Vashti. Of Persian origin; Vashti, the queen ofXerxes --
Vashti. 2059, 2060. Vashti. 2061 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Xerxes
Xerxes. <.Xerxes Jacob Abbott. Produced by D. Alexander and the
Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp...
The Return ofXerxes to Persia.
... CHAPTER XII. THE RETURN OFXERXES TO PERSIA. BC480 Mardonius."His apprehensions
after the battle."Depression ofXerxes."Mardonius's...
HowXerxes the Son of Darius was Well Disposed to the Jews; as...
... CHAPTER 5. HowXerxes The Son Of Darius Was Well Disposed To The Jews;
As Also Concerning Esdras And Nehemiah. 1. Upon the death...
The Mother ofXerxes.
... CHAPTER I. THE MOTHER OFXERXES. BC522-484 Persian magnificence."The
mother ofXerxes."Cambyses."Ambition and selfishness...
The Advance ofXerxes into Greece.
... THE ADVANCE OFXERXES INTO GREECE. BC480... They were also, in the days ofXerxes, densely
populated, and adorned profusely with temples, citadels, and towns....
Xerxes
... Title Page. Makers of HistoryXerxes. BY JACOB ABBOTT. WITH ENGRAVINGS. NEW
YORK AND LONDON HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS 1902. Entered...
Engravings.
... MAP OF GREECE 101.XERXES CROSSING THE HELLESPONT 121. FATE OF THE PERSIAN EMBASSADORS
AT SPARTA 160. CITADEL AT ATHENS 241. RETURN OFXERXES TO PERSIA 297....
Crossing the Hellespont.
... Winter in Asia Minor."Destruction of the bridge."Indignation ofXerxes."His ridiculous
punishment of the sea."Xerxes orders a new bridge to be made...
Debate on the Proposed Invasion of Greece.
... Counselors ofXerxes."Age and character of Mardonius."The avenues to renown."Blood
inherited and blood shed."Character of Artabanus."His advice to...
The Burning of Athens.
... Some of the inhabitants remain."Situation of the Acropolis."Magnificent architectural
structures."Statue of Minerva."The Parthenon."Xerxes at Athens...
Thesaurus
Xerxes (24 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
XERXES. zerks'-ez: The name is an attempt
to transliterate into Greek (
Xerxes) the Persian Khshayarsha.
...Ahasbai (1 Occurrence)
... Septuagint Assoueros, but in Tobit 14:15 Asueros; the Latin form of the Hebrew
'achashwerosh, a name better known in its ordinary Greek form ofXerxes): It was...
Artaxerxes (14 Occurrences)
... (1) All are agreed that the Artaxerxes at whose court Ezra and Nehemiah were officials
is Artaxerxes I, the son ofXerxes, commonly called Longimanus, who...
Persians (6 Occurrences)
... HISTORY 1. Cyrus 2. Capture of Babylon 3. Cambyses 4. Pseudo-Smerdis 5. Darius I
6. Darius' Suez Canal 7.Xerxes I 8. Artaxerxes II 9.Xerxes II 10....
Darius (26 Occurrences)
... During his reign the Jews enjoyed much peace and prosperity. He was succeeded by
Ahasuerus, known to the Greeks asXerxes, who reigned for twenty-one years....
Mordecai (52 Occurrences)
... carried into captivity with Jeconiah, and hence that he must have been at least
one hundred and twenty-nine years old in the twelfth year of Ahasuerus (Xerxes...
Esther (48 Occurrences)
... The authorship of this book is unknown. It must have been obviously written after
the death of Ahasuerus (theXerxes of the Greeks), which took place BC 465....
Persepolis
... 2. History: The magnificent palace of which such striking remains are still visible
(Takht i Jamshid) was built by Darius andXerxes of white marble and black...
Bigthan (1 Occurrence)
... big'-than big-tha'-na (bighethan, bighethana'; Septuagint omits name): One of the
two chamberlains or eunuchs ofXerxes on ("Ahasuerus") who conspired against...
Bigthana (2 Occurrences)
... big'-than big-tha'-na (bighethan, bighethana'; Septuagint omits name): One of the
two chamberlains or eunuchs ofXerxes on ("Ahasuerus") who conspired against...
Resources
Who was Xerxes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Queen Vashti refuse to appear before Xerxes? | GotQuestions.orgDid Esther have sex with Xerxes before they were married? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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