Esther 2:23

KJV

And 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when inquisition {H1245} was made of the matter {H1697}, it was found out {H4672}; therefore they were both {H8147} hanged {H8518} on a tree {H6086}: and it was written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} before {H6440} the king {H4428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The matter was investigated, found to be true, and both were hanged on a stake. All this was recorded in the daily journal that was kept with the king.

Berean Standard Bible

After the report had been investigated and verified, both officials were hanged on the gallows. And all this was recorded in the Book of the Chronicles in the presence of the king.

American Standard Version

And 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 2:23 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, detailing the swift and conclusive resolution of a conspiracy against King Ahasuerus. The verse records the discovery, investigation, and execution of two royal chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, who plotted to assassinate the king. Crucially, it highlights that this entire event, including Mordecai's role in exposing the plot, was meticulously documented in the official royal chronicles, setting the stage for future divine interventions and the eventual deliverance of the Jewish people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Mordecai's discovery](/esther/2-21 "Esther 2:21 - Mordecai Uncovers a Plot") of the assassination plot by Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs who guarded the threshold. Mordecai, demonstrating his loyalty and foresight, relayed this information to Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to King Ahasuerus, crediting Mordecai. The "inquisition" mentioned in this verse refers to the official investigation that ensued, confirming the validity of Mordecai's report. The swift execution of the conspirators underscores the absolute power of the Persian king and the severe consequences of treason. The subsequent recording of the event in the royal chronicles is not a mere administrative detail but a critical narrative element that foreshadows its profound significance in [later chapters](/esther/6 "Esther 6 - The King's Sleepless Night and the Chronicles").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Persian Empire was renowned for its sophisticated administration, which included meticulous record-keeping. Royal chronicles (often called "day-books" or "annals") were official historical documents maintained by scribes, detailing significant events, decrees, and acts of loyalty or disloyalty. These records served as a memory for the king and his court, accessible for reference. The method of execution, "hanged on a tree," likely refers to impalement or crucifixion, a common and gruesome form of capital punishment in the ancient Near East, particularly in Persia, designed to be a public deterrent. The thorough investigation ("inquisition") before execution reflects a degree of due process within the Persian legal system, even if the king's word was ultimately supreme.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Divine Providence:** Though the name of God is conspicuously absent from the Book of Esther, His providential hand is undeniably at work throughout the narrative. Mordecai's seemingly minor act of loyalty, leading to the conspirators' exposure and the subsequent recording of his deed, is a crucial link in a chain of events orchestrated by God to protect His people. This verse subtly demonstrates how God uses human actions and even secular systems to achieve His purposes, echoing the sentiment that [all things work together for good for those who love God](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good").
* **Justice and Loyalty:** The verse starkly contrasts the swift justice meted out to the disloyal conspirators with the recognition, albeit delayed, of Mordecai's unwavering loyalty. It establishes a clear moral framework within the Persian court: treason is punished severely, while faithfulness, though sometimes overlooked in the short term, is eventually acknowledged and rewarded. This theme resonates with broader biblical principles concerning [righteousness and its reward](/proverbs/11-18 "Proverbs 11:18 - The Reward of Righteousness").
* **The Significance of Records:** The meticulous recording of events in the "book of the chronicles" is a key thematic element. These royal archives are not merely historical curiosities; they become instrumental in the unfolding drama. The fact that Mordecai's deed was "written in the book of the chronicles before the king" becomes profoundly significant when [King Ahasuerus suffers from insomnia](/esther/6-1 "Esther 6:1 - The King's Sleepless Night") and requests these very chronicles to be read to him, leading directly to Mordecai's exaltation and the turning of the tide against Haman.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Inquisition (Hebrew, _biqqeret'_):** This term, derived from the root *biqqer*, signifies a thorough, careful, and diligent investigation or search. It implies that the plot against the king was not merely suspected but confirmed through a rigorous and official process, lending credibility to Mordecai's report and the subsequent judgment. It suggests a formal judicial inquiry rather than a hasty reaction.
* **Hanged on a tree (Hebrew, _talu al-etz'_):** This phrase describes the method of execution. While "hanged" might suggest a gallows, in the ancient Near Eastern context, particularly Persian, *talu al-etz* often refers to impalement or crucifixion, where the condemned was fixed to a stake or pole. This was a public and humiliating form of death, intended to serve as a stark warning to others.
* **Book of the chronicles (Hebrew, _sepher divrei hayyamim'_):** This refers to the official royal annals or "book of the daily events/times." These were not personal notes but meticulously kept state records, detailing important occurrences, decrees, and acts of service or treason within the Persian Empire. The inclusion of Mordecai's deed in this official record highlights its historical importance and sets the stage for its later, providential retrieval.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out;"**: This clause emphasizes the thoroughness and success of the investigation. Mordecai's report was not dismissed but rigorously examined, and the truth of the conspiracy by Bigthan and Teresh was unequivocally confirmed. This validation underscores the reliability of the information provided by Mordecai through Esther.
* **"therefore they were both hanged on a tree:"**: This is the immediate and severe consequence of their treason. The execution of Bigthan and Teresh serves as a clear demonstration of Persian justice and the king's absolute authority. The method of execution, "hanged on a tree," highlights the public and deterrent nature of the punishment, designed to instill fear and prevent future plots.
* **"and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king."**: This final clause is profoundly significant, acting as a narrative linchpin. It confirms that Mordecai's act of loyalty and the entire incident were officially documented in the royal annals, accessible to the king. This seemingly mundane administrative detail becomes the critical element that will later lead to Mordecai's recognition and the eventual turning point in the fortunes of the Jewish people, demonstrating God's meticulous, though unseen, orchestration of events.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several key literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the meticulous recording of Mordecai's loyalty in the royal chronicles directly sets up the dramatic events of [Esther 6](/esther/6 "Esther 6 - The King's Sleepless Night and the Chronicles"), where this very record becomes the catalyst for his exaltation and the downfall of Haman. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: an act of loyalty intended to protect a pagan king ultimately serves as a crucial step in the deliverance of God's chosen people, demonstrating how divine purposes can be achieved through secular means. The phrase "hanged on a tree" also carries a **Symbolic** weight, representing swift and absolute justice, a theme that will recur later in the book with Haman's own fate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 2:23 powerfully illustrates the concept of divine providence, even in a book where God is not explicitly named. The seemingly ordinary administrative act of recording Mordecai's loyalty becomes a crucial piece in God's intricate tapestry of salvation for His people. It highlights that God works through human agency, secular systems, and seemingly coincidental events to bring about His perfect will. This verse reminds us that no act of faithfulness, no matter how small or unacknowledged at the time, goes unnoticed by the sovereign God, who orchestrates all circumstances for His ultimate glory and the good of His people. It underscores the truth that God's plan is meticulously unfolding, often behind the scenes, ensuring that justice will ultimately prevail and His purposes will be accomplished.

* [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord Directs the Lot")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")
* [Psalm 37:23-24](/psalms/37-23-24 "Psalm 37:23-24 - The Steps of a Good Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 2:23 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that our acts of integrity, faithfulness, and loyalty, even in seemingly mundane or unappreciated contexts, are not insignificant. Mordecai's vigilance and report, though initially only recorded in a royal archive, became the very instrument through which God would later save an entire nation. This encourages us to live with diligence and righteousness in our daily lives, trusting that God sees and remembers our deeds, even when human recognition is absent. It reinforces our faith in God's sovereign control over all circumstances, assuring us that He is actively working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for His ultimate purposes, even in a world that often seems chaotic or godless. Our faithfulness, however small, contributes to His grand design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be working providentially through "ordinary" circumstances that you might not yet fully recognize?**
* **How does Mordecai's loyalty, even to a pagan king, challenge you to live with greater integrity and faithfulness in your own sphere of influence?**
* **Can you recall a time when a seemingly insignificant act on your part or someone else's had far-reaching, positive consequences? What did that teach you about God's unseen hand?**
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in Esther 2:23 encourage you about God's remembrance of your actions and His ultimate justice?**

### FAQ

**What was the "book of the chronicles" and why was its mention so important?**

Answer: The "book of the chronicles" (Hebrew: *sepher divrei hayyamim*) refers to the official royal annals or historical records of the Persian Empire. These were meticulously kept documents detailing significant events, decrees, and acts of service or treason. Its mention in [Esther 2:23](/esther/2-23 "Esther 2:23 - Mordecai's Loyalty Recorded") is profoundly important because it lays the groundwork for the pivotal events in [Esther 6](/esther/6 "Esther 6 - The King's Sleepless Night and the Chronicles"). When King Ahasuerus suffers from insomnia, he requests these very chronicles to be read to him. It is through this reading that he discovers Mordecai's unrewarded loyalty in exposing the plot, which directly leads to Mordecai's exaltation and sets in motion the reversal of Haman's evil decree against the Jews. It highlights God's providential use of seemingly mundane administrative details to achieve His redemptive purposes.

**What kind of execution was "hanged on a tree" in the Persian context?**

Answer: While the English translation "hanged on a tree" might suggest a gallows, in the ancient Near Eastern and specifically Persian context, the phrase "hanged on a tree" (Hebrew: *talu al-etz*) often refers to impalement or crucifixion. This was a severe and public form of capital punishment where the condemned was fixed to a stake or pole, either through impalement or by being nailed or tied to a cross-shaped structure. It was designed not only to execute but also to humiliate the condemned and serve as a stark deterrent to others. This method of execution is also seen in other biblical texts, such as when the five kings were [hanged on trees by Joshua](/joshua/10-26 "Joshua 10:26 - Joshua Hangs the Five Kings").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 2:23, while detailing a secular act of justice and record-keeping, resonates with profound Christ-centered themes. The meticulous recording of Mordecai's loyalty in the royal chronicles foreshadows the divine "books" in heaven, where God records the deeds of humanity and, more importantly, the names of those who belong to Him in the [Book of Life](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Book of Life"). Just as Mordecai's forgotten loyalty was eventually brought to light for his vindication and the salvation of his people, so too does God remember every act of faithfulness by His children, and His ultimate justice will prevail. The execution "on a tree" for treason, a common form of capital punishment, eerily echoes the ultimate "tree" or cross upon which Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, was [hanged](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law"). He bore the curse of our treason against God, suffering the ultimate penalty for our sins, so that our names might be written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Only Those Written in the Lamb's Book of Life Enter"). Thus, the seemingly administrative detail of Esther 2:23 points forward to the divine record-keeping that secures our eternal salvation through Christ's perfect sacrifice and the ultimate justice executed at the cross.

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

Genesis 40:22

But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Esther 10:2

And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration 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?

Genesis 40:19

Yet within 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.

Deuteronomy 21:22

And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:

Deuteronomy 21:23

His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

Esther 5:14

Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow 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.

Esther 6:2

And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.