Links open with New International Version (NIV) verses.
Unless otherwise stated, links applicable in both King James & NIV.

Xerxes was a Persian leader also known as Ahasuerus in the King James version. According to Daniel 9:1, Darius was the son of Ahasuerus/Xerxes. The first mention of him appeared in Ezra 4:6 when opposition to the Temple rebuild arose.

The book of Esther records the rule of Xerxes. It said he ruled from Susa (known as Shushan to the Hebrews) in modern-day Iran. Esther 1:1 states he "ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush". He got rid of Queen Vashti for her perceived disrespect towards him and replaced her with a Jewish woman named Esther. She bravely spoke out against the persecution of the Jews by Haman and a few others.

Read about him in Esther 1; 2; 3; 6:2; 7:5; 8; 9; 10:1, 3

Return to top