Xerxes

Pronunciation: ZUR-zeez

Occurrences: 1

First Reference: Yeshua 11:36

Have you not read how that Xerxes, while he was yet lord over all the earth, being king in Persia, granted unto Esther the life of all Israel?

See: Barak / Deborah, Esther, Haman, Huldah

Summary: In a sermon addressing women’s rights, Yeshua refers to Xerxes, likely the Persian king (486 — 485 BCE) mentioned in the Hebrew Bible who was convinced by queen Esther to refrain from committing genocide against the Jewish people (Y:11:34-38). Her story is the basis for the Jewish festival of Purim. The story of Esther and Xerxes was used by Yeshua to expose the hypocrisy of his disciples who considered women unworthy to receive basic rights traditionally afforded only to men (Yeshua 11).

Notes/References:

But there arose among the disciples a great contention, for some thought it unseemly that women should minister unto the Lord to touch him, or that they should sit at his feet to learn the law.

For it was thought in all Israel that it was an evil thing that any woman should learn either the law or the prophets, since by woman came the fall of man.

And if it so be that any woman should take to herself a knowledge of these things, then would many think her a witch, being filled with mischief, and they would stone her and drive her from the city to perish.

Yeshua 11:4-6

34. I tell you truly that for the sake of a woman will a man surrender both wealth and power, or forget altogether his parents and friends;

35. For even the mighty, being kings, if they would be greater still, make themselves subject unto their wives and will give unto them anything which they should ask.

36. Have you not read how that Xerxes, while he was yet lord over all the earth, being king in Persia, granted unto Esther the life of all Israel?

37. For this cause do you celebrate the Feast of Purim in joy and thanksgiving; for in the woman Esther did God deliver Israel from Haman who desired the death of all the Jews.

38. Why, then, will you withhold from women things which are come from God?

Yeshua 11:34-38

Xanthis

Xion