Ahasuerus — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

1. Persian king better known to Western readers as Xerxes I (486–465 BC); the son and successor of Darius I (Hystaspis). In Ezra 4:6 Ahasuerus is mentioned as receiving letters of accusation from enemies of the Jews about their rebuilding the temple.

Show passage in OET: EZR 4:6

OET-RV EZR 4:6

6 Now at the beginning of the reign of Ahashverosh (Ahasuerus), they forwarded an accusation against those who lived in Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and throughout Yehudah (Judah).

OET-LV EZR 4:6

6 And_in_the _reign _of ʼAḩashvērōsh at_the _beginning _of his/its_kingdom they _wrote an _accusation on the _inhabitants _of Yəhūdāh/(Judah) and_Yərūshelēm/(Jerusalem).

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Ahasuerus played a role in biblical history in the book of Esther. According to the Greek historian Herodotus, in the third year of his reign Xerxes (Ahasuerus) convoked an assembly of his leaders to plan an invasion of Greece. The book of Esther begins with a banquet scene probably reflecting that situation. The Greek campaign, begun in 480 BC, was unsuccessful. Afterward, Xerxes turned to private matters, such as the events recorded in Esther. The Jewish heroine of that book was the second wife of Xerxes (Ahasuerus). She and her cousin Mordecai influenced the king to reverse an edict condemning all Jews to death. Ahasuerus hanged Haman, his chief minister, who had asked for the edict.

Ahasuerus, who controlled an immense area “from India to Ethiopia” (Est 1:1), was celebrated for massive building projects at Susa and Persepolis. His rule ended in 465 BC when he was assassinated in his bedchamber. He is called the conqueror of Nineveh in Tobit 14:15, but this is manifestly impossible: Nineveh was destroyed in 612 BC, over a century before Ahasuerus was born. See Persia, Persians; Esther, Book of; Israel, History of.

Show passage in OET: EST 1:1

OET-RV EST 1:1

1 The following events happened during the reign of Emperor Ahashverosh (Ahasuerus /Xerxes). (Also known as King Ahashverosh, he ruled the 127 provinces of Paras (Persia) extending from Hodu to Kush (Ethiopia).)

OET-LV EST 1:1

1 And_he/it _was in_the _days _of ʼAḩashvērōsh that ʼAḩashvērōsh who_reigned from_Hoddū/(India) and_unto Kūsh/(Cush) seven and_twenty and_one _hundred province[s].

Show passage in OET: TOB 14:15

OET-RV TOB 14:15

15 Before he died, he heard of the destruction of Nineveh, which Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) and Ahashverosh (Ahasuerus) took captive. Before his death, he rejoiced over Nineveh.

OET-LV TOB 14:15

15 and to_hear ⟦πρὶνὴ⟧ to_die he/she/it/self, the/this/who destruction Nineuaʸ, which ⟦ᾐχμαλώτισεν⟧ Nabouⱪodonosor, and ⟦Ἀσύηρος⟧, and to_rejoice before of_the to_die upon/to/against Nineuaʸ.

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2. Father of Darius the Mede (Dn 9:1). The identity of this father and son in secular history is uncertain.