Esther 6:1
What does Esther 6:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 6:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 6:1 means
The king’s sleepless night becomes the turning point of the story. Instead of entertainment, Ahasuerus calls for the official chronicles to be read. What seems like a random choice is anything but: the ordinary tools of empire—records, readers, routines—become instruments of a greater providence. The king is restless, and in his restlessness a forgotten deed comes to light. This verse shows how God can work without being named, guiding events through timing and memory. The king’s power is real, yet limited; he needs to be reminded of what is already in his own archives. The stage is set for justice to surface at exactly the right moment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
KJV
King James Version · 1611On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949That night the king was unable to get any sleep; and he sent for the books of the records; and while some one was reading them to the king,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862On that night hath the sleep of the king fled away, and he saith to bring in the book of memorials of the Chronicles, and they are read before the king,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That night the king passed without sleep, and he commanded the histories and chronicles of former times to be brought him. And when they were reading them before him,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890On that night sleep fled from the king. And he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
Context
This verse opens the chapter after a night of rising tension: Haman has just built gallows for Mordecai and is eager to ask the king’s permission to use them. The sleeplessness initiates a chain reaction. First the records are read, then a past rescue by Mordecai is rediscovered, and that discovery compels the king to act. Without this frame, the sudden reversal ahead might feel arbitrary. The narrative slows, inviting readers to notice how small circumstances can redirect great outcomes.
v.1This passage
v.2And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, of those that kept the threshold, who had sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
- Esther 5:8
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the king hath said.
- Romans 11:33
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!
- 1 Samuel 23:26
And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
- Isaiah 41:17
The poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst; I, Jehovah, will answer them, I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.