Esther 2 אֶסְתֵּר פרק ב׳

Masoretic Text, word by word with transliteration and English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open Esther 2 in the interlinear reader for roots and notes, or listen to it read aloud in Hebrew.

1. 1

   אַחַרa/CHARafterהַדְּבָרִיםhad/de/va/RIMthe thingsהָאֵלֶּהha/EL/letheseכְּשֹׁךְke/SHOKHwhen was pacifiedחֲמַתcha/MATthe wrath ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁA/chash/ve/ROSHAhasuerusזָכַרza/KHARrememberedאֶת־וַשְׁתִּיet-Vash/TIVashtiוְאֵתve/ETandאֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂתָהa/SHER-a/SA/tawhat she had doneוְאֵתve/ETandאֲשֶׁר־נִגְזַרa/SHER-nig/ZARwhat was decreedעָלֶיהָ׃a/LE/haagainst her

   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.

2. 2

   וַיֹּאמְרוּvay/yo/me/RUand they saidנַעֲרֵי־הַמֶּלֶךְna/a/RE-ham/ME/lekhthe young men of the kingמְשָׁרְתָיוme/sha/re/TAYVthat ministered to himיְבַקְשׁוּye/vak/SHUlet be soughtלַמֶּלֶךְlam/ME/lekhfor the kingנְעָרוֹתne/a/ROTyoung womenבְּתוּלוֹתbe/tu/LOTvirginsטוֹבוֹתto/VOTfair ofמַרְאֶה׃mar/Eappearance

   Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

3. 3

   וְיַפְקֵדve/yaf/KEDand let him appointהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingפְּקִידִיםpe/ki/DIMofficersבְּכׇל־מְדִינוֹתbe/KHOL-me/di/NOTin all the provinces ofמַלְכוּתוֹmal/khu/TOhis kingdomוְיִקְבְּצוּve/yik/be/TSUand let them gatherאֶת־כׇּל־נַעֲרָה־בְתוּלָהet-kol-na/a/RA-ve/tu/LAevery young virginטוֹבַתto/VATfair ofמַרְאֶהmar/Eappearanceאֶל־שׁוּשַׁןel-Shu/SHANto Shushanהַבִּירָהhab/bi/RAthe citadelאֶל־בֵּיתel-betto the house ofהַנָּשִׁיםhan/na/SHIMthe womenאֶל־יַדel-yadto the hand ofהֵגֶאHe/GEHegaiסְרִיסse/RISthe official ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingשֹׁמֵרsho/MERkeeper ofהַנָּשִׁיםhan/na/SHIMthe womenוְנָתוֹןve/na/TONand let be givenתַּמְרֻקֵיהֶן׃tam/ru/ke/HENtheir ointments

   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:

4. 4

   וְהַנַּעֲרָהve/han/na/a/RAand the young womanאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatתִּיטַבti/TAVpleasesבְּעֵינֵיbe/e/NEin the eyes ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingתִּמְלֹךְtim/LOKHlet reignתַּחַתTA/chatinstead ofוַשְׁתִּיVash/TIVashtiוַיִּיטַבvay/yi/TAVand pleasedהַדָּבָרhad/da/VARthe thingבְּעֵינֵיbe/e/NEin the eyes ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוַיַּעַשׂvay/YA/asand he didכֵּן׃kenso

   And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

5. 5

   אִישׁisha manיְהוּדִיYe/hu/DIa Jewהָיָהha/YAwasבְּשׁוּשַׁןbe/Shu/SHANin Shushanהַבִּירָהhab/bi/RAthe citadelוּשְׁמוֹu/she/MOand his nameמׇרְדֳּכַיMor/do/KHAYMordecaiבֶּןbenthe son ofיָאִירYa/IRJairבֶּן־שִׁמְעִיben-Shim/Ithe son of Shimeiבֶּן־קִישׁben-Kishthe son of Kishאִישׁisha manיְמִינִי׃Ye/mi/NIa Benjamite

   Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;

6. 6

   אֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhoהׇגְלָהhog/LAhad been carried awayמִירוּשָׁלַיִםmI/ru/sha/LA/yimfrom Jerusalemעִם־הַגֹּלָהim-hag/go/LAwith the captivityאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhoהׇגְלְתָהhog/le/TAhad been carried awayעִםimwithיְכׇנְיָהYe/khon/YAJeconiahמֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָהME/lekh-Ye/hu/DAking of Judahאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhoהֶגְלָהheg/LAhad carried awayנְבוּכַדְנֶצַּרNe/vu/khad/nets/TSARNebuchadnezzarמֶלֶךְME/lekhthe king ofבָּבֶל׃Ba/VELBabylon

   Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.

7. 7

   וַיְהִיvay/HIand he wasאֹמֵןo/MENbringing upאֶת־הֲדַסָּהet-Ha/das/SAHadassahהִיאhithat isאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherבַּת־דֹּדוֹbat-do/DOhis uncle's daughterכִּיkiforאֵיןenthere was noלָהּlato herאָבavfatherוָאֵםva/EMnor motherוְהַנַּעֲרָהve/han/na/a/RAand the young womanיְפַת־תֹּאַרye/FAT-TO/arfair of formוְטוֹבַתve/to/VATand good ofמַרְאֶהmar/Eappearanceוּבְמוֹתu/ve/MOTand at the death ofאָבִיהָa/VI/haher fatherוְאִמָּהּve/im/MAand her motherלְקָחָהּle/ka/CHAtook herמׇרְדֳּכַיMor/do/KHAYMordecaiלוֹloto himselfלְבַת׃le/VATfor a daughter

   And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

8. 8

   וַיְהִיvay/HIand it came to passבְּהִשָּׁמַעbe/hish/sha/MAwhen was heardדְּבַר־הַמֶּלֶךְde/VAR-ham/ME/lekhthe word of the kingוְדָתוֹve/da/TOand his decreeוּבְהִקָּבֵץu/ve/hik/ka/VETSand when were gatheredנְעָרוֹתne/a/ROTyoung womenרַבּוֹתrab/BOTmanyאֶל־שׁוּשַׁןel-Shu/SHANto Shushanהַבִּירָהhab/bi/RAthe citadelאֶל־יַדel-yadto the hand ofהֵגָיHe/GAYHegaiוַתִּלָּקַחvat/til/la/KACHand she was takenאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherאֶל־בֵּיתel-betinto the house ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֶל־יַדel-yadto the hand ofהֵגַיHe/GAYHegaiשֹׁמֵרsho/MERkeeper ofהַנָּשִׁים׃han/na/SHIMthe women

   So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

9. 9

   וַתִּיטַבvat/ti/TAVand pleasedהַנַּעֲרָהhan/na/a/RAthe young womanבְעֵינָיוve/e/NAYVin his eyesוַתִּשָּׂאvat/tis/SAand she obtainedחֶסֶדCHE/sedkindnessלְפָנָיוle/fa/NAYVbefore himוַיְבַהֵלvay/va/HELand he hastenedאֶת־תַּמְרוּקֶיהָet-tam/ru/KE/haher ointmentsוְאֶת־מָנוֹתֶהָve/ET-ma/no/TE/haand her portionsלָתֵתla/TETto giveלָהּlato herוְאֵתve/ETandשֶׁבַעSHE/vasevenהַנְּעָרוֹתhan/ne/a/ROTmaidensהָרְאֻיוֹתha/re/u/YOTthe chosenלָתֶת־לָהּLA/tet-lato give to herמִבֵּיתmib/BETfrom the house ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוַיְשַׁנֶּהָvay/shan/NE/haand he moved herוְאֶת־נַעֲרוֹתֶיהָve/ET-na/a/ro/TE/haand her maidensלְטוֹבle/TOVto the best place ofבֵּיתbetthe house ofהַנָּשִׁים׃han/na/SHIMthe women

   And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

10. 10

    לֹא־הִגִּידָהlo-hig/GI/dahad not toldאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherאֶת־עַמָּהּet-am/MAher peopleוְאֶת־מוֹלַדְתָּהּve/ET-mo/lad/TAand her kindredכִּיkiforמׇרְדֳּכַיMor/do/KHAYMordecaiצִוָּהtsiv/VAhad chargedעָלֶיהָa/LE/haherאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatלֹא־תַגִּיד׃lo-tag/GIDshe should not tell

    Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.

11. 11

    וּבְכׇל־יוֹםu/ve/KHOL-yomand every dayוָיוֹםva/YOMand dayמׇרְדֳּכַיMor/do/KHAYMordecaiמִתְהַלֵּךְmit/hal/LEKHwalkedלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeחֲצַרcha/TSARthe court ofבֵּית־הַנָּשִׁיםbet-han/na/SHIMthe house of the womenלָדַעַתla/DA/atto knowאֶת־שְׁלוֹםet-she/LOMthe welfare ofאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherוּמַה־יֵּעָשֶׂהu/MA-ye/a/SEand what would be doneבָּהּ׃bawith her

    And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

12. 12

    וּבְהַגִּיעַu/ve/hag/GI/aand when cameתֹּרtorthe turn ofנַעֲרָהna/a/RAyoung womanוְנַעֲרָהve/na/a/RAand young womanלָבוֹאla/VOto comeאֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְel-ham/ME/lekhunto the kingאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁA/chash/ve/ROSHAhasuerusמִקֵּץmik/KETSafterהֱיוֹתhe/YOTit had beenלָהּlafor herכְּדָתke/DATaccording to the law ofהַנָּשִׁיםhan/na/SHIMthe womenשְׁנֵים־עָשָׂרshe/NEM-a/SARtwelveחֹדֶשׁCHO/deshmonthsכִּיkiforכֵּןkensoיִמְלְאוּyim/le/Uwere fulfilledיְמֵיye/MEthe days ofמְרוּקֵיהֶןme/ru/ke/HENtheir purificationsשִׁשָּׁהshish/SHAsixחֳדָשִׁיםcho/da/SHIMmonthsבְּשֶׁמֶןbe/SHE/menwith oil ofהַמֹּרham/MORmyrrhוְשִׁשָּׁהve/shish/SHAand sixחֳדָשִׁיםcho/da/SHIMmonthsבַּבְּשָׂמִיםbab/be/sa/MIMwith spicesוּבְתַמְרוּקֵיu/ve/tam/ru/KEand with the ointments ofהַנָּשִׁים׃han/na/SHIMthe women

    Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)

13. 13

    וּבָזֶהu/va/ZEand thusהַנַּעֲרָהhan/na/a/RAthe young womanבָּאָהba/Acameאֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְel-ham/ME/lekhunto the kingאֵת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁרet-kol-a/SHERall thatתֹּאמַרto/MARshe would sayיִנָּתֵןyin/na/TENwas givenלָהּlato herלָבוֹאla/VOto goעִמָּהּim/MAwith herמִבֵּיתmib/BETout of the house ofהַנָּשִׁיםhan/na/SHIMthe womenעַד־בֵּיתad-betto the house ofהַמֶּלֶךְ׃ham/ME/lekhthe king

    Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.

14. 14

    בָּעֶרֶבba/E/revin the eveningהִיאhisheבָאָהva/Awent inוּבַבֹּקֶרu/vab/BO/kerand in the morningהִיאhisheשָׁבָהSHA/vareturnedאֶל־בֵּיתel-betto the house ofהַנָּשִׁיםhan/na/SHIMthe womenשֵׁנִיshe/NIthe secondאֶל־יַדel-yadto the hand ofשַׁעַשְׁגַזSha/ash/GAZShaashgazסְרִיסse/RISthe official ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingשֹׁמֵרsho/MERkeeper ofהַפִּילַגְשִׁיםhap/pi/lag/SHIMthe concubinesלֹא־תָבוֹאlo-ta/VOshe came noעוֹדodmoreאֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְel-ham/ME/lekhunto the kingכִּיkiexceptאִם־חָפֵץim-cha/FETSthat delightedבָּהּbain herהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוְנִקְרְאָהve/nik/re/Aand she were calledבְשֵׁם׃ve/SHEMby name

    In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

15. 15

    וּבְהַגִּיעַu/ve/hag/GI/aand when arrivedתֹּר־אֶסְתֵּרtor-Es/TERthe turn of Estherבַּת־אֲבִיחַיִלbat-A/vi/CHA/yildaughter of Abihailדֹּדdodthe uncle ofמׇרְדֳּכַיMor/do/KHAYMordecaiאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhoלָקַח־לוֹla/KACH-lohad taken to himselfלְבַתle/VATfor a daughterלָבוֹאla/VOto comeאֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְel-ham/ME/lekhunto the kingלֹאlonotבִקְשָׁהvik/SHAshe requiredדָּבָרda/VARanythingכִּיkibutאִםimonlyאֶת־אֲשֶׁרet-a/SHERthat whichיֹאמַרyo/MARhe saysהֵגַיHe/GAYHegaiסְרִיס־הַמֶּלֶךְse/RIS-ham/ME/lekhthe official of the kingשֹׁמֵרsho/MERkeeper ofהַנָּשִׁיםhan/na/SHIMthe womenוַתְּהִיvat/te/HIand wasאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherנֹשֵׂאתno/SETobtainingחֵןchenfavorבְּעֵינֵיbe/e/NEin the eyes ofכׇּל־רֹאֶיהָ׃kol-ro/E/haall who looked upon her

    Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

16. 16

    וַתִּלָּקַחvat/til/la/KACHand she was takenאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherאֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְel-ham/ME/lekhunto the kingאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁA/chash/ve/ROSHAhasuerusאֶל־בֵּיתel-betinto the house ofמַלְכוּתוֹmal/khu/TOhis royaltyבַּחֹדֶשׁba/CHO/deshin the monthהָעֲשִׂירִיha/a/si/RIthe tenthהוּא־חֹדֶשׁhu-CHO/deshwhich is the monthטֵבֵתTe/VETTebethבִּשְׁנַת־שֶׁבַעbish/NAT-SHE/vain the year sevenלְמַלְכוּתוֹ׃le/mal/khu/TOof his reign

    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.

17. 17

    וַיֶּאֱהַבvay/ye/e/HAVand lovedהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֶת־אֶסְתֵּרet-Es/TEREstherמִכׇּל־הַנָּשִׁיםmik/KOL-han/na/SHIMabove all the womenוַתִּשָּׂא־חֵןvat/tis/SA-chenand she obtained favorוָחֶסֶדva/CHE/sedand kindnessלְפָנָיוle/fa/NAYVbefore himמִכׇּל־הַבְּתוּלוֹתmik/KOL-hab/be/tu/LOTmore than all the virginsוַיָּשֶׂםvay/YA/semand he setכֶּתֶר־מַלְכוּתKE/ter-mal/KHUTthe royal crownבְּרֹאשָׁהּbe/ro/SHAon her headוַיַּמְלִיכֶהָvay/yam/li/KHE/haand made her queenתַּחַתTA/chatinstead ofוַשְׁתִּי׃Vash/TIVashti

    And 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.

18. 18

    וַיַּעַשׂvay/YA/asand madeהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingמִשְׁתֶּהmish/TEa feastגָדוֹלga/DOLgreatלְכׇל־שָׂרָיוle/KHOL-sa/RAYVfor all his princesוַעֲבָדָיוva/a/va/DAYVand his servantsאֵת־מִשְׁתֵּהet-mish/TEthe feast ofאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherוַהֲנָחָהva/ha/na/CHAand a releaseלַמְּדִינוֹתlam/me/di/NOTfor the provincesעָשָׂהa/SAhe madeוַיִּתֵּןvay/yit/TENand gaveמַשְׂאֵתmas/ETgiftsכְּיַדke/YADaccording to the bounty ofהַמֶּלֶךְ׃ham/ME/lekhthe king

    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.

19. 19

    וּבְהִקָּבֵץu/ve/hik/ka/VETSand when were gatheredבְּתוּלוֹתbe/tu/LOTvirginsשֵׁנִיתshe/NITthe second timeוּמׇרְדֳּכַיu/Mor/do/KHAYand Mordecaiיֹשֵׁבyo/SHEVsatבְּשַׁעַר־הַמֶּלֶךְ׃be/SHA/ar-ham/ME/lekhin the gate of the king

    And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

20. 20

    אֵיןennotאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherמַגֶּדֶתmag/GE/dettellingמוֹלַדְתָּהּmo/lad/TAher kindredוְאֶת־עַמָּהּve/ET-am/MAand her peopleכַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERasצִוָּהtsiv/VAhad chargedעָלֶיהָa/LE/haherמׇרְדֳּכָיMor/do/KHAYMordecaiוְאֶת־מַאֲמַרve/ET-ma/a/MARand the command ofמׇרְדֳּכַיMor/do/KHAYMordecaiאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherעֹשָׂהo/SAdidכַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERasהָיְתָהha/ye/TAwhen she wasבְאׇמְנָהve/om/NAbrought upאִתּוֹ׃it/TOwith him

    Esther 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.

21. 21

    בַּיָּמִיםbay/ya/MIMin the daysהָהֵםha/HEMthoseוּמׇרְדֳּכַיu/Mor/do/KHAYand Mordecaiיוֹשֵׁבyo/SHEVsatבְּשַׁעַר־הַמֶּלֶךְbe/SHA/ar-ham/ME/lekhin the gate of the kingקָצַףka/TSAFwere angryבִּגְתָןBig/TANBigthanוָתֶרֶשׁva/TE/reshand Tereshשְׁנֵי־סָרִיסֵיshe/NE-sa/ri/SEtwo of the officials ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingמִשֹּׁמְרֵיmish/shom/REof the keepers ofהַסַּףhas/SAFthe thresholdוַיְבַקְשׁוּvay/vak/SHUand they soughtלִשְׁלֹחַlish/LO/achto layיָדyadhandבַּמֶּלֶךְbam/ME/lekhon the kingאֲחַשְׁוֵרֹשׁ׃A/chash/ve/ROSHAhasuerus

    In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

22. 22

    וַיִּוָּדַעvay/yiv/va/DAand it was knownהַדָּבָרhad/da/VARthe thingלְמׇרְדֳּכַיle/Mor/do/KHAYto Mordecaiוַיַּגֵּדvay/yag/GEDand he told itלְאֶסְתֵּרle/Es/TERto Estherהַמַּלְכָּהham/mal/KAthe queenוַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand saidאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherלַמֶּלֶךְlam/ME/lekhto the kingבְּשֵׁםbe/SHEMin the name ofמׇרְדֳּכָי׃Mor/do/KHAYMordecai

    And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name.

23. 23

    וַיְבֻקַּשׁvay/vuk/KASHand was investigatedהַדָּבָרhad/da/VARthe matterוַיִּמָּצֵאvay/yim/ma/TSEand it was found outוַיִּתָּלוּvay/yit/ta/LUand were hangedשְׁנֵיהֶםshe/ne/HEMboth of themעַל־עֵץal-etsupon a treeוַיִּכָּתֵבvay/yik/ka/TEVand it was writtenבְּסֵפֶרbe/SE/ferin the book ofדִּבְרֵיdiv/REthe words ofהַיָּמִיםhay/ya/MIMthe daysלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeהַמֶּלֶךְ׃ham/ME/lekhthe king

    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.