Boy Old Testament Known
Ahasuerus
prince; head; chief
אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ a.chash.ve.rosh
Ahasuerus (Hebrew: אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ, a.chash.ve.rosh) means “prince; head; chief”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 30 verses across 3 books of the Bible. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Abagtha in Esther 1.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Ahasuerus
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 30 across 3 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Return
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Ezra 4:6 |
| Last appears | Daniel 9:1 |
| Cross-references | 395 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Vashti co-occurrence Appears with Vashti in Esther 1.
- Teresh co-occurrence Appears with Teresh in Esther 6.
- Bigthan co-occurrence Appears with Bigthan in Esther 6.
- Abagtha co-occurrence Appears with Abagtha in Esther 1.
- Bigtha co-occurrence Appears with Bigtha in Esther 1.
- Biztha co-occurrence Appears with Biztha in Esther 1.
- Carkas co-occurrence Appears with Carkas in Esther 1.
- Mehuman co-occurrence Appears with Mehuman in Esther 1.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.4.6; married to Vashti (H2060);
father of: Darius (H1868H)
§ Ahasuerus = "I will be silent and poor"
title of the king of Persia, probably Xerxes
Ahasuerus, Emperor of Persia (probably Xerxes I), chose Esther as his queen and issued decrees impacting the Jews.
The biblical story
Ahasuerus, probably Xerxes I, was the king of Persia during the events described in the book of Esther. He ruled over a vast empire from India to Ethiopia. In the third year of his reign, Ahasuerus held a lavish banquet and requested the presence of his queen, Vashti. When she refused to come, the king deposed her. (Est.1)
A search was made for a new queen, and Esther, a young Jewish woman, was chosen. Esther kept her Jewish identity secret. (Est.2) Later, Haman, a high official, plotted to destroy the Jews due to his hatred for Mordecai, Esther's cousin. Haman convinced Ahasuerus to issue a decree allowing the annihilation of the Jews. (Est.3).
Esther revealed her Jewish identity to Ahasuerus and exposed Haman's plot. The king ordered Haman's execution and issued a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. (Est.7-8) The Jews were victorious over their enemies, and Ahasuerus promoted Mordecai to a high position in the kingdom. (Est.9-10).
Ahasuerus is also mentioned in Ezr.4.6, where his reign is associated with opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and in Dan.9.1, as the father of Darius the Mede. Xerxes I ruled 486 to 465.
Key verses
Ahasuerus appears in 30 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
Ezra 4:6 -
Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
Esther 1:1 -
That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
Esther 1:2 -
Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
Esther 1:9 -
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
Esther 1:10
Show all 30 references
Ezra (1)
- Ezra 4:6
Esther (28)
- Esther 1:1
- Esther 1:2
- Esther 1:9
- Esther 1:10
- Esther 1:15
- Esther 1:16
- Esther 1:17
- Esther 1:19
- Esther 2:1
- Esther 2:12
- Esther 2:16
- Esther 2:21
- Esther 3:1
- Esther 3:6
- Esther 3:7
- Esther 3:8
- Esther 3:12
- Esther 6:2
- Esther 7:5
- Esther 8:1
- Esther 8:7
- Esther 8:10
- Esther 8:12
- Esther 9:2
- Esther 9:20
- Esther 9:30
- Esther 10:1
- Esther 10:3
Daniel (1)
- Daniel 9:1