Esther 2:4
What does Esther 2:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 2:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 2:4 means
The contest’s aim is plain: whichever maiden pleases the king will be crowned in Vashti’s place. Ahasuerus approves and implements the plan. The vacancy of the queenly office will be filled by a standard of personal delight rather than lineage or virtue. This highlights the king’s absolute power and the court’s emphasis on pleasure. Yet this very criterion becomes the avenue for Esther’s rise, for favor and grace will set her apart. The verse closes the policy discussion with decisive royal assent, moving the narrative from planning to recruitment and setting the stage for God’s unseen guidance through ordinary court procedures.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and let the maiden that pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and let the maiden that pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And let the girl who is pleasing to the king be queen in place of Vashti. And the king was pleased with this suggestion; and he did so.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the young woman who is good in the eyes of the king doth reign instead of Vashti;' and the thing is good in the eyes of the king, and he doth so.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And whosoever among them all shall please the king's eyes, let her be queen instead of Vasthi. The word pleased the king: and he commanded it should be done as they had suggested.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And let the maiden that pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
Context
Verses 1–3 build the rationale and architecture for the search; verse 4 finalizes it. With the king’s approval, the machinery begins. The reader now expects a stream of candidates to enter the palace. Instead, verses 5–7 abruptly turn to a Jewish household in Shushan, introducing Mordecai and Esther. This narrative shift is crucial: the empire’s vast plan will intersect with the quiet life of God’s people.
v.3and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hegai the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them;
v.4This passage
v.5There was a certain Jew in Shushan the palace, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few chosen.
- 2 Samuel 16:21
And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, that he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then will the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
- 2 Samuel 17:4
And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
- Matthew 14:6
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod.
- Esther 3:9
If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king’s business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.
- Matthew 20:16
So the last shall be first, and the first last.