Esther 2:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

So she was brought to the chamber of king Assuerus the tenth month, which is called Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
Douay-Rheims

וַתִּלָּקַ֨ח אֶסְתֵּ֜ר אֶל־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית מַלְכוּת֔וֹ בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הָעֲשִׂירִ֖י הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ טֵבֵ֑ת בִּשְׁנַת־שֶׁ֖בַע לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Rabanus Maurus
Jungerow P.A.

Rabanus Maurus

9th centuryTeacher of the Church

The splendid celebration held in honor of Esther's marriage signifies the utmost joy that brings delight to all, from the esteemed to the everyday person, reflecting the divine connection between Christ and the Church. In this gathering, those deemed worthy do not partake of mere physical sustenance, but rather receive the spiritual nourishment of wisdom and virtues. Here, all faithful believers are blessed with the holy Sacraments of the Body and Blood of Christ, which serve as the pathway to their redemption; contained within them is the sustenance of eternal life. Our King grants peace to every corner of the earth and generously offers gifts, liberating those who have faith in Him from the weight of their sins and enriching them with spiritual blessings.

Jungerow P.A.

19th centuryCommentator

Esther was then brought before the king in a manner similar to others, and she found favor with him beyond any other maiden, leading to her selection as queen in the tenth month, known as Tabephah, during the seventh year of his reign (Esther 2:15-16). Scholars studying the book of Esther highlight the significant period that elapsed between the dismissal of Queen Astini in the third year of King Asverosh (Esther 1:3, 17) and the appointment of Esther in the seventh year of his reign. It seems unlikely that a hedonistic Persian monarch would remain unmarried for such an extended time without reason. A comparison of the Esther narrative with Herodotus' account of Xerxes’ military endeavors in Greece sheds light on this question.

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According to Herodotus, Xerxes began preparing for his campaign in Greece in his third year of rule, launched the campaign in his fifth year, and likely spent approximately two years engaged in it, returning to Susa in his seventh year. Thus, preoccupied with his campaign, Xerxes may not have been aware of his wife's absence, only realizing it upon his return. Herodotus suggests that upon returning, Xerxes attempted to assuage his conscience and vanity with indulgence, engaging in immoral relationships with the wives of his courtiers or family members. It is understandable that the courtiers would exploit his state of mind, presenting him with the opportunity to view the most beautiful maidens from the Persian realm.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.