Ahasuerus
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Ahasuerus in the Bible?
The name Ahasuerus appears in the Hebrew Bible as a royal title or personal name for several figures, most notably Xerxes I in the Book of Esther and a king identified variously as Darius the Mede or Cyrus the Great in the Book of Daniel.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the linguistic link between Ahasuerus and Xerxes allows readers to align the narrative timeline of the Book of Esther with established Persian history, while recognizing the name's usage in Daniel aids in interpreting the text's specific historical or literary context regarding Medo-Persian rule.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Ahasuerus in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ahasuerus clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.