Esther 2:1
What does Esther 2:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 2:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 2:1 means
With his anger cooled, king Ahasuerus reflects on Vashti, on her refusal, and on the irreversible decree that removed her. The verse shows the king’s humanity—he remembers her—and the rigidity of Persian law—what was decreed stands. Regret does not undo consequences. This sober pause explains why a replacement must be sought. The court operates by edict more than by reconciliation. The king’s memory of “what she had done” and “what was decreed” frames the problem: the throne is vacant by law, not by whim. The story moves from passion and punishment toward policy and procedure, preparing the scene for how a new queen will be chosen.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
KJV
King James Version · 1611After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949After these things, when the king's feelings were calmer, the thought of Vashti and what she had done and the order he had made against her, came back to his mind.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862After these things, at the ceasing of the fury of the king Ahasuerus, he hath remembered Vashti, and that which she did, and that which hath been decreed concerning her;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752After this, when the wrath of king Assuerus was appeased, he remembered Vasthi, and what she had done and what she had suffered:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890After these things, when the fury of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
Context
Chapter 1 ended with Vashti’s dismissal at the height of imperial pomp. Here the heat of wrath gives way to reflection, but the law still rules. The narrative pauses before action resumes, helping readers feel the weight of a decision that cannot be reversed. This moment of recollection sets up the servants’ proposal in verses 2–4. It is important to see that the search for a queen is not merely romantic; it is a political necessity after an irrevocable decree.
v.1This passage
v.2Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 6:14
Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to rescue him.
- Esther 1:12
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
- Esther 7:10
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.