Esther 10:1
What does Esther 10:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 10:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 10:1 means
This brief statement signals the settled strength of king Ahasuerus’s rule. To “lay a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea” shows his authority reached from the Persian heartland to distant coastlands and islands. Levying tribute was the normal practice of a secure empire, funding administration, defense, and royal projects. After the dramatic events that affected the Jews, the empire is not in disarray; its ruler remains powerful and organized. For God’s people scattered through the provinces, stability under a strong monarch meant space to live peaceably. The verse grounds the book’s conclusion in the ordinary machinery of empire, reminding us that God’s providence works within real political structures.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And King Ahasuerus put a tax on the land and on the islands of the sea.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the king Ahasuerus setteth a tribute on the land and the isles of the sea;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And king Assuerus made all the land, and all the islands of the sea tributary.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land and the isles of the sea.
Context
Verse 1 opens the epilogue by widening the lens from the Jewish story back to the imperial scene. Before naming Mordecai, the narrator reaffirms Ahasuerus’s reach and stability. This matters because it frames the rise of Mordecai and the relief of the Jews within an enduring, not a collapsing, kingdom. The next verse will appeal to official records, further anchoring these events in history, and then the final verse will spotlight Mordecai’s standing and character. Thus, the tribute sets the stage for an orderly realm in which Mordecai’s influence could be effective.
v.1This passage
v.2And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account 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?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 11:18
After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; yea, moreover, he shall cause his reproach to turn upon him.
- Esther 8:9
Then were the king’s scribes called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the three and twentiethday thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
- Isaiah 24:15
Wherefore glorify ye Jehovah in the east, even the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel, in the isles of the sea.
- Luke 2:1
Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled.
- Psalms 72:10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render tribute: The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
- Genesis 10:5
Of these were the isles of the nations divided in their lands, every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.