What does the Bible say about Xerxes?
Bible verses about Xerxes. Daniel 9:1-3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the ...
What are facts about Xerxes?
King Xerxes: Facts, Accomplishments & Death
- Early Life and the Achaemenid Empire. Xerxes I was born around 520 BCE under the Persian name Kyshayarsa ('Xerxes' is the Greek iteration), as a member of a proud dynasty.
- Xerxes as Emperor. Around 486 BCE, Xerxes ascended the throne and became emperor of one of the largest empires in the world at that time.
- Battles with Greece. ...
How tall was Xerxes in real life?
How tall was King Xerxes in real life? Almost 8 feet tall. Herodotus wrote in Histories (7:117) that “[Xerxes] was in stature the tallest of all the Persians, falling short by only four fingers of being five royal cubits in height.”
How many children did Xerxes have?
Xerxes married Amestris, daughter of Otanes, and she gave birth to six of his children - four sons and two daughters. Xerxes was a notorious womanizer and his fondness towards beautiful women led him to pursue his brother Masistes’s young wife.
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What was the Bible name of Xerxes?
Ahasuerus, a royal Persian name occurring throughout the Old Testament. Immediately preceding Artaxerxes I in the line of Persian kings, Ahasuerus is evidently to be identified with Xerxes.
Is Xerxes in the Bible the same as 300?
The events take place in the time of Achaemenid King Xerxes the Great, so the book not only encompasses the time of the legendary Battle of Thermopylae but features the character portrayed in Frank Miller's 300.
What nationality was King Xerxes in the Bible?
Xerxes I, Old Persian Khshayarsha, byname Xerxes the Great, (born c. 519 bce—died 465, Persepolis, Iran), Persian king (486–465 bce), the son and successor of Darius I.
Why is King Ahasuerus called Xerxes?
It is agreed the Hebrew 'Ahasuerus' descended from the Persian names for Xerxes I. Historian Herodotus describes Xerxes I as being susceptible to women and in the habit of making extravagant offers to them, just as he did to Esther ("up to half my kingdom").
What is Persia in the Bible?
5:3127:32Iran in the Bible: The Forgotten Story | Presented by Our Daily Bread FilmsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe Bible contains 240 references related to Iran or Persia. The name Persia and Persians. Are foundMoreThe Bible contains 240 references related to Iran or Persia. The name Persia and Persians. Are found 33 times in 6 books of the Hebrew Bible Cyrus purchase first King is named 19.
What does Xerxes mean in the Bible?
Meaning of Xerxes Herodotus claimed that it means "warrior," but modern scholars propose the meaning is closer to "hero among rulers." Xerxes I (or Xerxes the Great) succeeded his father, Darius I of Persia, to the throne in 485 BC.
Who is the Persian king in the Book of Esther?
king AhasuerusEsther, the beautiful Jewish wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), and her cousin Mordecai persuade the king to retract an order for the general annihilation of Jews throughout the empire.
Who was Esther's son?
Esther Does Not Reveal Her Origins Similarly, her son Benjamin knew about the sale of Joseph, but remained silent and did not tell his father. Saul, a Benjaminite, did not reveal to his uncle that he had been anointed to be king; likewise, Esther did not disclose her identity (Gen. Rabbah 71:35).
Which Persian king did Esther marry?
Ahasuerus of PersiaEsther is the eponymous heroine of the Book of Esther. In the Achaemenid Empire, the Persian king Ahasuerus seeks a new wife after his queen, Vashti, is deposed for disobeying him....Esther.Esther אֶסְתֵּרSpouseAhasuerus of PersiaFatherAbihail (biological) Mordecai (adoptive)ReligionSecond Temple Judaism4 more rows
Was Xerxes a real person?
Xerxes I (Old Persian: 𐎧𐏁𐎹𐎠𐎼𐏁𐎠 Xšayār̥šā; Greek: Ξέρξης; c. 518 – August 465 BC), commonly known as Xerxes the Great, was the fourth King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, ruling from 486 to 465 BC.
How do you pronounce Xerxes in the Bible?
0:110:43How to Pronounce King Xerxes I? (CORRECTLY) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEmpire rolling from 486 to 465 bc how do you go about pronouncing his name king xerxes sir sees kingMoreEmpire rolling from 486 to 465 bc how do you go about pronouncing his name king xerxes sir sees king xerxes here are more videos on how to pronounce more names from history those pronunciations.
How old was Xerxes when died?
53 years (519 BC–466 BC)Xerxes I / Age at death
What did Haman see when Mordecai did not kneel down?
When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down to him, he was enraged and he looked for a way to destroy not only Mordecai but also all his people – the Jews – throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes (v. 5, 6).
Why did Mordecai not kneel down to Haman?
But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor (ch. 3:1-4) because of his Jewish faith. When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down to him, he was enraged and he looked for a way to destroy not only Mordecai but also all his people – the Jews – throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes (v. 5, 6).
Why did Esther risk her life?
Esther risks her life to save the Jews. When Queen Esther heard about the decree, she was troubled and she inquired from Mordecai as to what she should do. So, he asked her “to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people” (ch. 4:8).
Where does the name Xerxes come from?
The name Xerxes is not found in the Hebrew text of Scripture but appears as Ahasuerus. In Greek Khshayârshâ became Xerxes, and in Latin, Assuerus. The names Xerxes and Ahasuerus are therefore equivalent, the one coming from the Persian through the Greek, and the other through both Hebrew and Latin. Bible commentators associate Esther ’s king ...
What did Haman offer the king?
And to that end, he offered ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.
Why did the king bring Vashti before him?
At the end of the feast days, the king commanded to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles (v. 11). But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him (v. 11, 12). Then, the king asked his wise men, ...
How many women were chosen for the king?
Josephus, recorded that the king chose 400 women as candidates (ch. 2:1–4). These virgins were prepared with the oils and perfumes for 12 months (v. 12,13) before meeting the king. Esther was selected as one of the virgins (v. 8) about 483 BC.
What is the meaning of Xerxes?
XERXES. zerks'-ez: The name is an attempt to transliterate into Greek (Xerxes) the Persian Khshayarsha. The same word in unpointed Hebrew took the form 'chshwrsh, probably pronounced 'achshawarash, but at a later time it was wrongly vocalized so as to produce 'achashwerosh, from whence "Ahasuerus" in English versions of the Bible comes.
When did Xerxes leave the expedition?
The first part of his reign was marked by the famous campaign into Greece, beginning in 483. After the defeat at Salamis in 480 Xerxes himself withdrew from the expedition and it was finally discontinued in the next year.
Who was Xerxes in the Book of Esther?
The story told in the book of Esther takes place during the rule of Ahasuerus, who amongst others has been identified as the 5th-century Persian king Xerxes I (reigned 486–465 BC). The author also displays an accurate knowledge of Persian customs and palaces.
Is King Ahasuerus the same as Xerxes?
Ahasuerus, a royal Persian name occurring throughout the Old Testament. Immediately preceding Artaxerxes I in the line of Persian kings, Ahasuerus is evidently to be identified with Xerxes. No other name resembling Ahasuerus, nor any name like Darius, is to be found in the list of Median kings.
What was Xerxes known for?
519 bce—died 465, Persepolis, Iran), Persian king (486–465 bce), the son and successor of Darius I. He is best known for his massive invasion of Greece from across the Hellespont (480 bce), a campaign marked by the battles of Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.
Why is King Ahasuerus called Xerxes?
It is agreed the Hebrew ‘ Ahasuerus ‘ descended from the Persian names for Xerxes I. Historian Herodotus describes Xerxes I as being susceptible to women and in the habit of making extravagant offers to them, just as he did to Esther (“up to half my kingdom”).
Is Xerxes a God?
The historical Xerxes probably did not consider himself a god, but he was a legend in his own time. He removed a golden statue from the temple of Zeus, desecrating the temple, something his father Darius did not dare to do.
Why was Persia so powerful?
The different factors that contributed to Persia’s major success as an influential empire were transportation, coordination, and their tolerance policy. One of the main reasons that the Persian Empire was so successful was because of their tolerance of non- Persian citizens living in Persia.
What is another name for King Xerxes?
Xerxes I (l. 519-465, r. 486-465 BCE ), also known as Xerxes the Great, was the king of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. His official title was Shahanshah which, though usually translated as `emperor’, actually means `king of kings’.
What did Nebuchadnezzar dream about?
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king.
How long did Ahasuerus give a feast?
And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa, the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king's palace. ...
What does the Bible say about grain offering?
Go in, pass the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! Because grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God.
What did Daniel dream about?
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’ ...
What does Darius the Mede say about the king?
“And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him. “And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills. And as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these. “Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he and shall rule, and his authority shall be a great authority. ...
How many days did the feast of the Lord last?
And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days , and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.
What does the Bible say about Jerusalem?
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Why is Xerxes bad?
Much of Xerxes' bad reputation is due to propaganda by the Macedonian king Alexander the Great ( r. 336–323 BC ), who had him vilified. The modern historian Richard Stoneman regards the portrayal of Xerxes as more nuanced and tragic in the work of the contemporary Greek historian Herodotus. However, many modern historians agree that Herodotus recorded spurious information. Pierre Briant has accused him of presenting a stereotyped and biased portrayal of the Persians. Many Achaemenid-era clay tablets and other reports written in Elamite, Akkadian, Egyptian, and Aramaic are frequently contradictory to the reports of classical authors, i.e. Ctesias, Plutarch, and Justin.
How many times was the Hellespont whipped?
According to the Greek historian Herodotus, Xerxes's first attempt to bridge the Hellespont ended in failure when a storm destroyed the flax and papyrus cables of the bridges. In retaliation, Xerxes ordered the Hellespont (the strait itself) whipped three hundred times, and had fetters thrown into the water.
How long did it take Xerxes to raise another army?
Xerxes thus had to raise another army for his expedition into Greece, which took four years. There was also unrest in Babylon, which revolted at least twice against Xerxes.
What happened at Artemisium?
At Artemisium, large storms had destroyed ships from the Greek side and so the battle stopped prematurely as the Greeks received news of the defeat at Thermopylae and retreated. Foundations of the Old Temple of Athena, destroyed by the armies of Xerxes I during the Destruction of Athens in 480 BC.
What happened to Xerxes' accession?
At Xerxes' accession, trouble was brewing in some of his domains. A revolt occurred in Egypt, which seems to have been dangerous enough for Xerxes to personally lead the army to restore order (which also gave him the opportunity to begin his reign with a military campaign).
Where did Xerxes live?
Starting from 498 BC, Xerxes resided in the royal palace of Babylon.
Where was the Xerxes Canal dug?
From 483 BC, Xerxes prepared his expedition: The Xerxes Canal was dug through the isthmus of the peninsula of Mount Athos, provisions were stored in the stations on the road through Thrace, and two pontoon bridges later known as Xerxes' Pontoon Bridges were built across the Hellespont.
What was Artaxerxes' role in the rebuilding of the Temple?
Due to his tolerant policy toward the Jews in his realm, Artaxerxes played a key role in the rebuilding of the temple and the wall of Jerusalem. As God’s judgment for Judah’s idolatry and rebellion, ...
Who was Artaxerxes in Persia?
Artaxerxes was king of Persia from c. 464 to c. 425 BC. He was a son of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) and is often referred to as Artaxerxes I Longimanus.
When did the Babylonians attack Judah?
As God’s judgment for Judah’s idolatry and rebellion, Judah was attacked by the Babylonians in 589 BC. The city of Jerusalem was destroyed. The Jews were held captive for 70 years in Babylon and, after Babylon’s fall, in Persia, but God had promised that His people would be restored to their homeland. So in 539 BC, by God’s leading, Emperor Cyrus ...
Who was the cupbearer in Artaxerxes?
In the twentieth year of his reign, Artaxerxes noticed that his trusted cupbearer, Nehemiah, was downcast. Servants were to maintain a pleasing countenance in the king’s presence, and so Nehemiah was technically breaking the law by looking sad.
Who led the Israelites to rebuild the Temple?
When the Israelites arrived in Jerusalem, led by Zerubbabel, they immediately began to rebuild the temple and surrounding city ( Ezra 3 ). While the Israelites worked on the repairs, they faced great opposition from people in the surrounding lands ( Ezra 4:1–5 ). This adversity continued even to King Artaxerxes’ reign ( Ezra 4:5–6 ).
How long did the feast of Vashti last?
The feast lasted for 180 days, during which time Vashti hosted a banquet of her own for the women. On the seventh day of the feast, a drunken King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to put on her royal crown and come stand before the people, so that everyone could see her beauty ( Esther 1:10–11 ). Queen Vashti, for reasons of her own, refused ...
What does the hand of God teach us?
The hand of God is evident throughout the book, which teaches a powerful lesson : even the actions of the wicked are governed by God in a master plan to do good for His chosen people and for all who trust in Him (see Romans 8:28 ).
Who were Esther and Mordecai?
Both Esther and Mordecai were descendants of Jews who had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar along with the defeated King Jehoiachin of Judah. The Bible’s story of Queen Vashti is set in about 480 BC. In Esther 1 a great feast is being held for the men of Susa, the citadel from which Xerxes reigned over a large region ...
Who is Vashti in the Bible?
Vashti in the Bible was the wife of King Xerxes (or Ahasuerus in many translations). King Xerxes and Queen Vashti of Persia figure in the story of Esther, a beautiful Jewish girl living in Ahasuerus’ kingdom, and her cousin, Mordecai, who had raised her after the death of her parents. Both Esther and Mordecai were descendants ...
Was Vashti banished from the king's presence?
Another tradition says that Vashti was not simply banished from the king’s presence but was executed. It’s important to note that none of these details are in the biblical account, and there is no way to confirm their veracity. The book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God at all.
Was Esther a queen?
In God’s providence, Esther was eventually made queen in Vashti’s place. She was the right person in the right place at the right time, for it was through Esther’s exalted position in the palace that God later preserved His people from annihilation. According to the Aggadah (or Haggadah), a book of Jewish tradition and folklore, ...
Does the book of Esther mention God?
The book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God at all. But He is there nonetheless, evident in His divine providence. Every aspect of the story of Esther, from Queen Vashti’s disobedience to Haman’s wicked motives to Esther’s beauty to Mordecai’s wisdom, work together to save the Jewish people.
