Who was Esther in the Bible?

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

Published by Bible Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0

Esther was a Jewish woman who became queen of Persia under King Ahasuerus and used her position to save the Jewish people from destruction, recorded in the Book of Esther.

Esther 2:17 in the King James Version reads:

And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

The verse appears in Esther 2, in the account of Esther being chosen as queen. Read it in context at Esther 2:17, or the full chapter at Esther 2. Encyclopedia entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther.

Also asked as

  • · Queen Esther Bible
  • · Esther Persian king

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