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

Throughout that night the king was unable to sleep, so he asked for the book containing the historical records to be brought. As the records were being read in the king’s presence, 2it was found written that Mordecai had disclosed that Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus. 3The king asked, “What great honor was bestowed on Mordecai because of this?” The king’s attendants who served him responded, “Not a thing 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 5:8If I have found favor in the king’s sight and if the king is inclined to grant my request and perform my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time I will do as the king wishes.
• Genesis 22:14And Abraham called the name of that place “The Lord provides.” It is said to this day, “In the mountain of the Lord provision will be made.”
• 1 Samuel 23:26Saul went on one side of the mountain, while David and his men went on the other side of the mountain. David was hurrying to get away from Saul, but Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men so they could capture them.
• Isaiah 41:17The oppressed and the poor look for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched from thirst. I, the Lord, will respond to their prayers; I, the God of Israel, will not abandon them.
• Romans 11:33Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways!
• Daniel 2:1In the second year of his reign Nebuchadnezzar had many dreams. His mind was disturbed and he suffered from insomnia.
• Daniel 6:18Then the king departed to his palace. But he spent the night without eating, and no diversions were brought to him. He was unable to sleep.
• Esther 2:23The king then had the matter investigated and, finding it to be so, had the two conspirators hanged on a gallows. It was then recorded in the daily chronicles in the king’s presence.
• Malachi 3:16Then those who respected the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord took notice. A scroll was prepared before him in which were recorded the names of those who respected the Lord and honored 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