Ahasuerus is the Hebrew form of Xerxes; the ISBE says "there seems to be little reasonable doubt" that the Ahasuerus of Esther is Xerxes I (reigned 485–465 BC), the king who launched the great failed invasion of Greece (ISBE, "Ahasuerus"). The book of Esther is set at his winter capital, Susa. (The ISBE notes that the Greek Septuagint and Josephus instead rendered the name "Artaxerxes", a confusion it cannot explain, but it is clear that the Hebrew name is Xerxes.) An Ahasuerus is also named as the father of "Darius the Mede" in Daniel 9:1, whom the ISBE takes to be a different, earlier figure (the Median Cyaxares). (Source: ISBE 1915, "Ahasuerus.")
Empires and rulers of the Old Testament world
Ahasuerus (Xerxes): the king of Esther
RulerPersia
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Every cited verse, in full. Tap any reference to open it in the reader.
- Esther 1:1bsb
This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush.
- Esther 1:3bsb
In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces.
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