Bible Figure
Ahasuerus
name of one or more kings of Persia in the Hebrew Bible (Esther, Ezra, Daniel), cognate to the Greek form Xerxes or Artaxerxes
Ahasuerus is the Hebrew royal name used most prominently for the Persian king in Esther, commonly identified with Xerxes I.
Biography
The Book of Esther presents Ahasuerus as ruler of a vast Persian realm stretching from India to Cush. After Queen Vashti was removed, Esther became queen. Haman obtained royal authorization for a decree against the Jews, but Esther risked approaching the king and exposed Haman's plot. Ahasuerus ordered Haman executed and permitted Mordecai and Esther to issue a counter-decree enabling Jewish defense. The Hebrew name Ahasuerus also appears in Ezra and Daniel in contexts that may refer to other rulers, so occurrences should not automatically be merged without attention to context.
Biblical Significance
Ahasuerus provides the imperial setting for Esther's account of providential Jewish deliverance. His record should distinguish the king of Esther from other biblical occurrences of the same royal name.