Esther 2:23
What does Esther 2:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 2:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 2:23 means
An official inquiry confirms the conspiracy. Bigthan and Teresh are executed by hanging on a tree, and the affair is entered into the royal chronicles before the king. Justice is swift, and the king’s life is preserved. More quietly, a record of Mordecai’s service is kept, though no immediate reward is given. That delay is purposeful in the story’s design. What seems forgotten by men is not forgotten in the books of the empire—nor by God’s providence. In a future night of royal sleeplessness, this entry will surface, leading to Mordecai’s honor and the downfall of his enemies. The seed of deliverance is sown here.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when inquisition was made of the matter, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when inquisition was made of the matter, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when the thing had been looked into, it was seen to be true, and the two of them were put to death by hanging on a tree: and it was put down in the records before the king.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the thing is sought out, and found, and they are hanged both of them on a tree, and it is written in the book of the Chronicles before the king.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752It was inquired into, and found out: and they were both hanged on a gibbet. And it was put in the histories, and recorded in the chronicles before the king.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the matter was investigated and found out; and they were both hanged on a tree. And it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
Context
The assassination attempt is resolved, closing the chapter with an executed judgment and a written record. This conclusion balances Esther’s elevation earlier in the chapter with Mordecai’s quiet act of loyalty. While the immediate crisis ends, the chronicle entry hangs in the background, ready to resurface at the perfect moment. The narrative is now poised for the rise of Haman in the next chapter and the unfolding conflict that will test Esther’s hidden identity.
v.22And the thing became known to Mordecai, who showed it unto Esther the queen; and Esther told the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.
v.23This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 7:10
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
- Esther 5:14
Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
- Genesis 40:19
within yet three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
- Joshua 8:29
And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until the eventide: and at the going down of the sun Joshua commanded, and they took his body down from the tree, and cast it at the entrance of the gate of the city, and raised thereon a great heap of stones, unto this day.
- Esther 10:2
And 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?
- Malachi 3:16
Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.