This verse demonstrates God’s capacity to see and remember faithfulness, no matter the setting.
Esther 2:23 weaves a moment of justice and faithful record-keeping into the fabric of the Persian court. We read, “Now when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence” (v.23). This scene follows the discovery of a conspiracy against King Ahasuerus (also called Xerxes), who ruled over the Persian Empire from 486-465 BC. The culprits were brought to swift judgment by hanging, a grave punishment that not only removed the conspirators but also served as a warning to anyone who rebelled against the king. The record of these events was meticulously kept in the royal annals—documents critical for preserving official history in Persia’s capital city of Susa.
When the verse tells us, “…it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence” (v.23), we see a moment that highlights the importance of memory and honor. Mordecai, the Jew who exposed the plot, would later find that this secret act of loyalty would resurface in due time (Esther 6:1-3). This detail showcases how God often works behind the scenes, using diligent record-keeping and seemingly mundane offices of government to bring about deliverance and redemption for His people. In a broader biblical context, the principle of small acts being recorded and later rewarded parallels Jesus’ teaching that “your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:4).
In “they were both hanged on a gallows” (v.23), we also witness the biblical theme of divine justice, even in a foreign empire. Though the verse does not mention God by name, His sovereignty and protection are at work. Throughout Scripture, God uses various leaders and chronicles to ensure that nothing done in His name is lost (Hebrews 6:10). Here, the loyalty of Mordecai remains alive in the official records of a powerful nation, emphasizing the truth that God’s hand can be seen even in political arenas, orchestrating outcomes that fulfill His greater purposes.
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Esther 2:23 meaning
Esther 2:23 weaves a moment of justice and faithful record-keeping into the fabric of the Persian court. We read, “Now when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence” (v.23). This scene follows the discovery of a conspiracy against King Ahasuerus (also called Xerxes), who ruled over the Persian Empire from 486-465 BC. The culprits were brought to swift judgment by hanging, a grave punishment that not only removed the conspirators but also served as a warning to anyone who rebelled against the king. The record of these events was meticulously kept in the royal annals—documents critical for preserving official history in Persia’s capital city of Susa.
When the verse tells us, “…it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence” (v.23), we see a moment that highlights the importance of memory and honor. Mordecai, the Jew who exposed the plot, would later find that this secret act of loyalty would resurface in due time (Esther 6:1-3). This detail showcases how God often works behind the scenes, using diligent record-keeping and seemingly mundane offices of government to bring about deliverance and redemption for His people. In a broader biblical context, the principle of small acts being recorded and later rewarded parallels Jesus’ teaching that “your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:4).
In “they were both hanged on a gallows” (v.23), we also witness the biblical theme of divine justice, even in a foreign empire. Though the verse does not mention God by name, His sovereignty and protection are at work. Throughout Scripture, God uses various leaders and chronicles to ensure that nothing done in His name is lost (Hebrews 6:10). Here, the loyalty of Mordecai remains alive in the official records of a powerful nation, emphasizing the truth that God’s hand can be seen even in political arenas, orchestrating outcomes that fulfill His greater purposes.