Esther 2:16

KJV

So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which [is] the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Esther {H635} was taken {H3947} unto king {H4428} Ahasuerus {H325} into his house {H1004} royal {H4438} in the tenth {H6224} month {H2320}, which is the month {H2320} Tebeth {H2887}, in the seventh {H7651} year {H8141} of his reign {H4438}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She was brought to King Achashverosh in his royal palace in the tenth month, Tevet, during the seventh year of his reign.

Berean Standard Bible

She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal palace in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

American Standard Version

So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 2:16 marks a pivotal moment in the unfolding narrative of Esther, detailing the precise historical and chronological context of Esther's presentation to King Ahasuerus in his royal house. This verse signifies the culmination of her preparation within the harem and her direct introduction to the most powerful man in the Persian Empire, setting the stage for the dramatic events that will ultimately lead to the salvation of her people. It underscores the meticulous timing and providential hand at work, positioning Esther exactly where she needed to be for God's purposes to be realized.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the book of Esther, following the dethronement of Queen Vashti in [Esther 1:19](/esther/1-19 "Esther 1:19 - Vashti's Dethronement") and the subsequent decree to gather beautiful young virgins from across the Persian Empire. Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, was among those brought to the citadel of Susa and placed under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch in charge of the harem ([Esther 2:8](/esther/2-8 "Esther 2:8 - Esther Brought to the Harem")). The preceding verses ([Esther 2:9-15](/esther/2-9 "Esther 2:9-15 - Esther's Preparation")) describe Esther's year-long beauty treatments and preparations, highlighting her favor with Hegai and her obedience to Mordecai's instruction to conceal her Jewish identity. Esther 2:16 thus represents the long-anticipated moment when Esther, having completed her preparation, is finally presented to the king for his personal assessment, directly advancing the plot toward the selection of a new queen.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Esther are set during the reign of Ahasuerus, widely identified with Xerxes I (486-465 BC), a powerful Persian emperor. The Persian Empire was vast, stretching from India to Ethiopia ([Esther 1:1](/esther/1-1 "Esther 1:1 - Ahasuerus's Empire")), and its court at Susa was known for its opulence and strict protocols. The practice of maintaining a large harem and selecting a queen through a beauty contest was consistent with ancient Near Eastern royal customs. The mention of "the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign" provides precise chronological anchoring. Tebeth corresponds to December/January in the Gregorian calendar, placing Esther's presentation approximately four years after Vashti's dismissal, given that the search began in the third year of Ahasuerus's reign ([Esther 1:3](/esther/1-3 "Esther 1:3 - Ahasuerus's Feast")) and the decree for new virgins was issued shortly thereafter. This detailed dating underscores the historical grounding of the narrative and the deliberate, unhurried nature of the king's selection process.

* **Key Themes:** Esther 2:16 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book. Foremost among these is **Divine Providence**, even though God is never explicitly mentioned in the book. The precise timing of Esther's arrival at the palace and her presentation to the king, years after Vashti's removal, suggests a divine hand orchestrating events for a future purpose. This verse highlights the theme of **Timing and Preparation**, demonstrating how seemingly ordinary circumstances and a lengthy process are part of a larger, divinely appointed plan. It also subtly introduces the theme of **Hiddenness and Revelation**, as Esther's Jewish identity remains concealed, a fact that will become critically important later in the narrative when Haman's plot against the Jews unfolds ([Esther 3:6](/esther/3-6 "Esther 3:6 - Haman's Plot")). The verse also emphasizes the **Progression of the Narrative**, moving Esther from a state of preparation to a position of potential influence, setting the stage for her elevation and subsequent role as deliverer.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tebeth (Hebrew, _Ṭēḇēṯ_):** This is the tenth month of the Hebrew civil calendar, corresponding roughly to December-January. Its inclusion provides a specific chronological marker, grounding the narrative in a precise historical timeline. This detail, along with the "seventh year of his reign," emphasizes the meticulous record-keeping of the Persian court and, from a theological perspective, highlights the precise timing of God's unfolding plan.
* **House Royal (Hebrew, _bêṯ ham·mal·ḵūṯ_):** While Esther had been in the general "house of the women" (harem), being taken "into his house royal" signifies her direct presentation to the king in his private, inner chambers. This was not merely a formal audience but a personal encounter where the king would assess her suitability as a potential queen. It suggests a move from the general pool of candidates to a more intimate and decisive stage of the selection process, underscoring the gravity and personal nature of this moment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus":** The passive voice "was taken" emphasizes Esther's lack of immediate agency in this moment. She is not choosing to go; she is being brought. This highlights the systemic nature of the selection process and the king's absolute authority. Yet, from a theological perspective, it also subtly points to a divine hand guiding her steps, placing her precisely where she needed to be, even if she was unaware of the larger purpose.
* **"into his house royal":** This specifies the location of her presentation. It's not merely the general palace grounds or the harem, but the king's personal residence or inner court. This indicates a significant step, moving from the general preparation area to the direct presence of the king for his personal assessment and selection. It implies a more intimate and critical encounter than previous stages.
* **"in the tenth month, which [is] the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign":** This precise chronological detail serves multiple purposes. Historically, it anchors the event firmly within the known reign of Xerxes I (Ahasuerus), lending verisimilitude to the narrative. Theologically, the specificity of the date underscores the theme of divine providence and timing. It suggests that Esther's elevation was not random but occurred at a divinely appointed moment, setting the stage for the future deliverance of her people, which would unfold in the coming years of Ahasuerus's reign.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Precise Chronology** by specifying the month and year, anchoring the narrative in a historically verifiable timeframe and lending an air of authenticity to the account. This detailed dating also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting that this seemingly ordinary administrative detail of Esther's presentation is, in fact, a crucial step in a larger, divinely orchestrated plan that will unfold with precise timing. There is also an element of **Irony** present: the king, in his pursuit of a new queen to satisfy his own desires, unwittingly brings a Jewish woman into the most powerful position in his empire, a woman who will ultimately subvert the plans of his highest minister and save her people. The passive voice ("was taken") also subtly employs **Understatement** regarding Esther's agency, masking the profound significance of this moment as a divinely guided placement rather than merely a human selection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 2:16, while seemingly a straightforward chronological marker, is deeply significant for understanding the theological theme of divine providence in the book of Esther. The meticulous timing—Esther's presentation in the seventh year of Ahasuerus's reign, years after Vashti's removal and just before Haman's rise to power—underscores that God's plan unfolds with precision, even when His name is not mentioned. It illustrates how God works through ordinary circumstances, human decisions, and even the seemingly mundane details of history to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Esther's journey from orphan to queen, initiated by this moment, is a powerful testament to God's sovereign hand guiding events for the salvation of His people, often in ways that are hidden from human sight until the appointed time.

* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - God's Redemptive Purpose")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 2:16 invites us to reflect on the quiet, often unseen, workings of God in our own lives. Just as Esther was "taken" at a precise moment for a purpose far grander than she could have imagined, so too are our lives interwoven with God's sovereign plan. This verse reminds us that even in seemingly ordinary or involuntary circumstances—situations where we feel we have little agency—God may be positioning us for a divine assignment. It encourages us to trust in His perfect timing, knowing that He is meticulously orchestrating events, even when we cannot discern His hand. Our preparation, our waiting, and our unexpected turns can all be part of His grand design to use us for His glory and the good of others. We are called to be faithful in our present circumstances, knowing that God is always at work, preparing us for what lies ahead, and that our "Esther moments" may come in unexpected ways and at precise times.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise timing of Esther's presentation encourage you about God's sovereignty in your own life and in the broader sweep of history?**
* **In what "ordinary" or seemingly insignificant circumstances might God be preparing you for an extraordinary purpose, just as Esther was prepared?**
* **What does Esther's story, particularly this moment of being "taken," teach us about trusting God's plan even when His presence is not explicitly mentioned or His hand is not immediately visible?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Tebeth" and the "seventh year of his reign" in Esther 2:16?**

Answer: The mention of "the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign" is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it provides precise historical anchoring for the narrative. Xerxes I (Ahasuerus) reigned from 486-465 BC, and this specific dating allows scholars to place the events within his known historical timeline. Secondly, and more importantly from a theological perspective, this meticulous chronological detail underscores the theme of divine providence. It highlights that Esther's presentation to the king was not a random event but occurred at a very specific, divinely appointed time. This timing is crucial because it places Esther in a position of influence just before Haman's genocidal plot against the Jews emerges in [Esther 3](/esther/3 "Esther 3 - Haman's Plot Against the Jews"). The years of preparation and the exact moment of her elevation demonstrate God's sovereign hand meticulously orchestrating events for the salvation of His people, even when His name is not explicitly stated in the text.

**Why is Esther described as "taken" to the king, and what does this imply about her agency?**

Answer: The use of the passive voice, "Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus," emphasizes that Esther was not a volunteer in this process but was compelled to participate as part of the king's decree to gather all beautiful young virgins ([Esther 2:2-4](/esther/2-2 "Esther 2:2-4 - The Search for a New Queen")). This highlights the cultural reality of the time, where women, especially those in the harem, had limited personal agency in such matters. They were subjects of the king's absolute authority. However, from a deeper theological standpoint, this passive phrasing also subtly points to God's orchestration. Esther's being "taken" can be seen as God's providential hand guiding her into the very position she would need to be in to save her people. While she initially lacks agency in her selection, the narrative later demonstrates her courageous and decisive agency when she chooses to risk her life to intercede for her people ([Esther 4:16](/esther/4-16 "Esther 4:16 - Esther's Courageous Decision")). Thus, her initial lack of agency serves to magnify the divine setup for her later, pivotal role.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther's journey, culminating in her being "taken" to the king's royal house at a precise time, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate divine orchestration of salvation through Jesus Christ. Just as Esther was chosen and elevated from obscurity to a position of influence to save her people, so too was Jesus, the true King, chosen and sent by God the Father. His incarnation and earthly ministry were not random but occurred "when the fullness of time had come" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time")), perfectly timed in God's sovereign plan. While Esther was "taken" by human decree, Jesus willingly "took on" human flesh ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")) and was ultimately "taken" (arrested and led to crucifixion) by human hands, yet all according to the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan")). Esther's intercession before Ahasuerus, risking her life for her people, points to Christ's ultimate and perfect intercession as our High Priest, who forever lives to make intercession for us before the heavenly King ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Intercession")). He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), accomplishing a salvation far grander and more eternal than Esther's deliverance of the Jews from Haman's plot, establishing an everlasting kingdom that will never be destroyed ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Everlasting Dominion of the Son of Man")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Esther 8:9

Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that [is], the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth [day] thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which [are] from India unto Ethiopia, an 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.

Esther 2:3

And 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 Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given [them]:

Ezra 7:8

And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which [was] in the seventh year of the king.

Esther 2:1

¶ After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.