Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
Read it in contextEsther Becomes Queen
Start reading at Esther 2:17 (Esther 2:17 to Esther 2:20).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The change of queen and Mordecai's discovery of a plot establish circumstances important to the later reversal.
2:17And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
2:18Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
2:19And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.
2:20Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? The final author is unknown. Mordecai is a traditional proposal and wrote letters establishing Purim, but that does not prove he composed the whole book. Biblical references: Esther 9:20; Esther 9:29. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Esther 2:1–2:23): Esther, Mordecai, the king, and palace officers are involved in Esther's selection and the discovery of the plot against the king. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Jewish communities in the Persian Empire and their descendants, especially those commemorating their deliverance at Purim. Biblical references: Esther 9:20; Esther 9:28. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Esther Becomes Queen. Read Esther 2:17 through Esther 2:20 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The change of queen and Mordecai's discovery of a plot establish circumstances important to the later reversal. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The narrative dates events by the reign of Ahasuerus, including the threatened destruction and the days later commemorated as Purim. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Shushan's palace and the Persian provinces form the setting; court scenes and provincial events should be distinguished. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 2:17 to Esther 2:20).
Start reading at Esther 2:17. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The preservation of the Jewish people belongs to the wider history in which the New Testament places Jesus' birth. The book itself does not name Jesus, and detailed typological identifications require argument. See Esther 9:1, Matthew 1:1, Matthew 1:17. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Consider courage, timely advocacy, and responsibility toward endangered neighbors. A reading of providence is an interpretation of the story's arrangement, rather than an explicit mention of God's name in its verses. interpretation
Cited: Esther 2:17, Esther 2:20, Esther 9:1, Matthew 1:1, Matthew 1:17
Who wrote it, and how we know
Uncertain; traditionally MordecaiFrom early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It records that Mordecai wrote these things. Esther 9:20
Early traditionJewish tradition has suggested Mordecai.
What is debatedAuthorship is genuinely unknown. The book never names God directly.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Esther 2
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Esther is set in the Persian court and provinces during Ahasuerus' reign. The text does not name its author. God's name is not explicitly used in the Hebrew-book narrative as represented here in the KJV; claims about providence are interpretive conclusions from the story. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The change of queen and Mordecai's discovery of a plot establish circumstances important to the later reversal.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The change of queen and Mordecai's discovery of a plot establish circumstances important to the later reversal.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Esther
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Esther is set in the Persian court and provinces during Ahasuerus' reign. The text does not name its author. God's name is not explicitly used in the Hebrew-book narrative as represented here in the KJV; claims about providence are interpretive conclusions from the story.