Esther 6:1

Esther 6:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
• New International Version (NIV)That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
• New King James Version (NKJV)That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

Context of Esther 6:1

That night the king could not sleep. So he told ⌞a servant⌟ to bring the official daily records, and they were read to the king. 2The records showed how Mordecai had informed him that Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had plotted a rebellion against King Xerxes. 3The king asked, “How did I reward and promote Mordecai for this?” The king’s personal staff replied, “Nothing was done for him.”

Esther 6:1 word by word

בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַה֔וּא נָדְדָ֖ה שְׁנַ֣ת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לְהָבִ֞יא אֶת־סֵ֤פֶר הַזִּכְרֹנוֹת֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י הַיָּמִ֔ים וַיִּהְי֥וּ נִקְרָאִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• On that nightלַ֫יְלָהlayil lêyl layelâh · nightH3915
• could notנָדַדnâdad · to wanderH5074
• the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• sleepשֵׁנָהshênâh shênâ' · sleepH8142
• and he commandedאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• to bringבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): bringH935
• the bookסֵ֫פֶרsêpher siphrâh · scroll: bookH5612
• of recordsזִכָּרוֹןzikrôn · memorialH2146
• of the chroniclesיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
• of the chroniclesדָּבָרdâbâr · word: deedH1697
• and they were readקָרָאqârâ' · to call: read outH7121
• beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440

Cross-references for Esther 6:1

• Esther 5:8Your Majesty, come with Haman to a dinner I will prepare for you. And tomorrow I will answer you, Your Majesty. If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, Your Majesty, may you ⌞then⌟ grant my request and do what I would like.”
• Genesis 22:14Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide. It is still said today, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
• 1 Samuel 23:26Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men went on the other side of the mountain. David was hurrying to get away from Saul, and Saul and his men were going around ⌞the mountain⌟ toward David and his men, trying to capture them.
• Isaiah 41:17“The poor and needy are looking for water, but there is none. Their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not abandon them.
• Romans 11:33God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep that it is impossible to explain his decisions or to understand his ways.
• Daniel 2:1During the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, he had some dreams. He was troubled, but he stayed asleep.
• Daniel 6:18Then the king went to his palace and spent the night without food or company. He couldn’t get to sleep.
• Esther 2:23When the report was investigated and found to be true, the dead bodies of Bigthan and Teresh were hung on a pole. The matter was written up in the king’s presence in his official record of daily events.
• Malachi 3:16Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord paid attention and listened. A book was written in his presence to be a reminder to those who feared the Lord and respected his name.

Commentaries on Esther 6:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1On that night could not the king sleep - The Targum says the king had a dream, which was as follows: - "And the king saw one in the similitude of a man who spoke these words to him: Haman desireth to slay thee, and to make himself king in thy stead. Behold, he will come unto thee early in the morning, to ask from thee the man who rescued thee from death, that he may slay him: but say thou unto Haman, What shall be done for the man whose honor the king…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Providence recommends Mordecai to the king's favour. (1-3) Haman's counsel honours Mordecai. (4-11) Haman's friends tell him of his danger. (12-14) Verses 1-3 The providence of God rules over the smallest concerns of men. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without him. Trace the steps which Providence took towards the advancement of Mordecai. The king could not sleep when Providence had a design to serve, in keeping him awake. We read of no illness that…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1sleep escaped the king: God was protecting Esther and Mordecai. the Book of Records, the Chronicles: Ancient kings kept records of their rule.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-141. the king ... commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles--In Eastern courts, there are scribes or officers whose duty it is to keep a journal of every occurrence worthy of notice. A book of this kind, abounding with anecdotes, is full of interest. It has been a custom with Eastern kings, in all ages, frequently to cause the annals of the kingdom to be read to them. It is resorted to, not merely as a pastime to while away the tedium of an…Read the comment

Topics related to Esther 6:1

• Civil Service
• Insomnia
• King
• Mordecai

In the dictionaries

• Bigthan
• Chronicles, Books of
• Esther, Book of
• Persians
• Record
• Dress

Commentaries on Esther 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings