The Lunar Eclipse Pair of 523-522 BC Marking the Ascension of Cambyses.

The Lunar Eclipse Pair of 523-522 BC Marking Cambyses’ Ascension.

In our recent OT History Class taught by Rev. Jon Nessle & Ren Manetti, Ren produced a valuable Chronology in his class notes. He stated; words on the Chronology in bold print & italics show pieces of missing Biblical Chronology as outlined by the 70-year spans and supplied from Ptolemy’s Canon, which shows Ahasuerus-Cambyses throne ascension on July 16, 530 BC. Ren further shows the 7th year of Cambyses reign in 523 BC, corroborated by Eclipses. This month’s blog follows-up on last month’s study of the Greco-Persian Wars, and elements of it’s related chronology. This adapted article below details an astronomical analysis of the British Museum’s Cuneiform Clay Tablet #33066, regarding the 7th year of Cambyses’ reign. This (year 7 Anchor date in 523 BC for Cambyses) owes to tablet BM 33066125: 19 Year 7 month IV, night 14, 1 2/3 beru (= 50° = 50×4 minutes) after sunset, 20 the Moon in Partial Eclipse, with a little left over, north [wind] went. This Partial Eclipse is dated July 16/17, 523 BC [mag. = 0.54] paired with a Jan. 9/10, 522 BC, Total Eclipse. Ptolemy must have known the original tablet as he gave a correct magnitude of 0.50 for the Partial Eclipse, (Almagest V:14).

*Original Footnotes from this adapted study by Gerard Gertoux are fully supplied in their entirety below.

In his initial review the author Gertoux, first scanned Espenak’s Lunar Phases Tables (formerly NASA’s) for possible lunar eclipses during the years 540-500 BC to fit lines 19-22 on the reverse side of BM 33066 tablet. After that, he traced Jupiter’s path through the same time period. Initially, he saw only 2 possible eclipse pairs. As it turned out, Jupiter’s path through Virgo falls in the same two time periods as said eclipse pairs: 1) 524-521 BC and, 2) 512-509 BC. Upon closer examination, it soon became clear that, the 512-509 BC scenario, Jupiter events as dated on BM 33066 were incompatible with available lunar eclipses, thus leaving the 524-521 BC scenario as the only viable option.

In particular, this preliminary study made it quite clear that BM 33066… (cf. the bold italicized text within the available footnotes:)

1. “Based upon the face and format of this astronomical record, it is clear… that the originator of the record was using the Babylonian calendar… beginning each year… month number one.”

2. The beginning of each month is based upon the observable New Moon only.

3. The Jupiter events: as there is no need to debate the existence of a Creator/ God, since the greatest scientific evidence and proof for His existence and the truth of the Bible, is the Astronomy of the Star of Bethlehem. One need only wind back the Planetarium and Celestial Computer Programs to see how God spun the planets and laid out the stars in the Universe to declare the Birth of His only Begotten Son. Jupiter Signs like the 3-2BC triple union  of Jupiter-Regulus and Jupiter-Venus unions marking the Birth of Christ are prime examples of this Biblical Astronomy, [Try-God.com website]. We have pointed out where these key planetary unions are mirrored in this case on the same days or within a day of actual dates aligned with those marking key aspects of Christ’s arrival, to depict how the Creator has sealed these historical dates for those with eyes to see and ears to hear their significance. In this case, it marks key historical Kings leading to the rise of key world Kingdom’s ruling in the nations of Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Statue, [Daniel 2].

The Celestial signs marking Christ’s Birth are seen in planet signs of Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Mercury and Saturn as they are documented in numerous blogs @ [Blog.try-god.org] and studies that will keep you busy for a while. References in this month’s blog regarding 523-522 BC as we will see, are directly linked to the planetray signs of the 5 naked-eye visible planets of our Solar System as they pass through the constellations and their God-named stars to tell their story; [Ps. 147:4, Ps. 19, Isa. 45:12, Gen. 1:14-19] of Creation and the birth of Christ.

Gertoux continues; The term ‘Virgo’ is a reference to Gamma Virgo, Porrima (i.e. not a reference to either the constellation Virgo, nor to Alpha Virgo, Spica.)
“The 22nd day of Moon 5 began at sunset August 22, 523 BC, which is the very day when Jupiter passed Gamma Virgo! “The 22nd day of Moon 6 began at sunset September 21+, 523 BC, which is when Jupiter and Porrima became visible together on the morning horizon.

“Notice: These two observations, taken together, makes lines 1-2 [reverse] a statement on the visibility – and evidence of an actual firsthand observation-  of the setting star Porrima over the western horizon. Cf. Jupiter’s visibility over the eastern horizon!”

4. The Lunar Eclipses of lines 19-22 reverse on BM 33066 tablet are identified as follows: “Within the 7th year beginning in the Spring of 523 BC… we… find two lunar eclipses, both of them visible from the Baghdad horizon: A partial (53.15%) eclipse on July 17, 523 BC and a total eclipse on January 10, 522 BC” (cf. ftnote #1.) This mirrors the eclipse date of Herod’s Death…521 years later; Jan. 10th, 1BC, a key in the correct timing of Christ’s Birth in 3 BC.

5. “The New Moon of Abib [month number 1 of] year 7 began at sunset on April (5 or) 6, 523 BC… illum.: 0.81%.”

6. “After reviewing the available Jupiter events and available lunar eclipses, we may narrow our considerations to the following Venus events…

“Day 10 of Moon 3 of year 7 began at sunset June 12, 523 BC. Seems we have a problem here: Venus is in front of Cancer, not [immediately in front of] Leo! However, seeing that the first star visible with Venus in the evening sky was Regulus, alpha Leo, this… makes much sense! Especially in light of a mirrored June 12th date in 3BC, marking a Venus–Saturn union in Taurus, one of two consecutive Saturn unions in Taurus, opening to the 3-1 BC Celestial signs marking the Birth of Christ. 

“Day 27 of Moon 3 of year 7 began at sunset June 29, 523 BC. Seems that here too we may have a problem?! Venus is in the area of Gemini, NOT in Cancer. However, the Sun is in Cancer. Perhaps this is an error in translation?… the correct answer is found in recognizing that the Sun too is a star and that the Sun was, at that time, in Cancer! Indeed, as represented by my astronomy software, SNB, Venus was visible even before sunset!…

“Indeed, to me, both of these Venus notations seems powerful evidence of the astronomer’s actual first hand observation of these events.

The conventional 522 BC scenario – which does not(?) fit this astronomical record:

Based upon the face and format of this astronomical record, it is clear 1) that the originator of the record was using the Babylonian calendar, and beginning each year with Abib, month number one, and that 2) the two lunar eclipses of lines 19-22 occurred in the same 7^th year as did events pertaining to Jupiter per lines 1-3.

Apparently the conventional dating of this record is based upon little more than an assumption that the lunar eclipses of year 7 & of lines 19-22 are identifiable with the July 5 and December 30, 522 BC lunar eclipses.

Unfortunately for said conventional dating of this record, the closest Jupiter events reminiscent of the events recorded per lines 1-3 in this record occurred one year earlier, that is, between September 20, 523 BC & May 5, 522 BC while being dated within the 7^th and 8^th years. For these events to fit this record, the events pertaining to Jupiter should have taken place one year later, or else they should be recorded as having occurred in the 6^th and 7^th year. Alternately, there should be found two lunar eclipses within the 7^th year beginning in the Spring of 523 BC. And, Yes, we do indeed find two lunar eclipses within that year, both visible from the Baghdad horizon: A partial (53.15%) eclipse July 17, 523 BC and a total eclipse on January 10, 522 BC.  [July 17th, 2015 Jupiter-Regulus in Leo]

Accordingly, per the eclipse record of lines 19-22, Moon 4 of year 7 must include July 17, 523 BC, and Moon 10 of year 7 must include January 10, 522 BC. Using Espenak’s (formerly NASA’s) lunar phase tables, I find the New Moon of Abib year 7 began @ sunset on April (5 or) 6, 523 BC [Starry Nite Backyard set on Baghdad horizon:] Sunset: 18:19:59; moonset: 19:06:23; lag: 46 min 24 sec; illum.: 0.81%.

Also, per the Jupiter record of lines 1-3, the 22^nd day of Moon 5 must precede Jupiter’s passing of Spica, alpha Virgo, on October 14, 523BC, as the 22^nd day   of Moon 6 must fall subsequent to said date. Accordingly, (cf. Espenak’s tables) Moon 5 year 7 began with the New Moon August 30+, 523 BC, and Moon 6 year seven began with the New Moon September 29+, 523 BC. Unfortunately, such a placement does not harmonize with the above said lunar eclipses! It follows that either this placement of BM 33066 about 523 BC is wrong, or our choice of Spica, alpha Virgo, may be incorrect. Alternatively, a most likely contender is Gamma Virgo, Porrima, that Jupiter passed August 22, 523 BC. And per the Jupiter record of lines 1-3, the 22^nd day of Moon 5 must precede Jupiter’s by- pass of Porrima, Gamma Virgo, on August 22, 523 BC, while the 22^nd day of Moon 6 must fall subsequent to said date. Accordingly, (cf. Espenak’s tables) Moon 5 year 7 began with the New Moon August 1+, 523 BC [August 1 sunset: 19:04:39; moonset: 19:56:06; lag: 51 min 27 sec; illum.: 3.30%,] & Moon 6 year 7 began with the New Moon August 31+, 523 BC, reflects the [Aug. 31st, Jupiter–Venus 3BC union in Leo leading to the birth of Christ.] [August 30 sunset: 18:38:13; moonset: 18:56:39; lag: 18 min 26 sec; illum.: 1.66%.]

Thus:

The 22^nd day of Moon 5 began at sunset August 22, 523 BC, which is the very day when Jupiter passed Gamma Virgo, as Saturn by-passed Spica, alpha Virgo at the same time. This mirrors a Jupiter–Venus union also in Virgo on
August 21st, 1 BC.

The 22^nd day of Moon 6 began at sunset September 21+, 523 BC, was when Jupiter and Porrima became visible together on the morning horizon. This 9/21/523 BC date mirrors the same date in 2015 that opens Hebrew Jubilee year on Atonement day, while marking a Regulus–Venus alignment/union and Rev. 12 sign on the Christ angle of the Great Pyramid, in 2017!

Notice: These two observations, taken together, makes lines 1-2 a clear statement on the visibility – and an actual firsthand observation – of the setting star Porrima over the western horizon. Cf. Jupiter’s visibility over the eastern horizon, as Jupiter and Mars frame Porrima on the ecliptic!

Alternatively, looking upon subsequent series of Jupiter events (which events recur every 12 years) we find that on September 2, 512 BC- Jupiter entered the constellation of Virgo, and on December 13, 510 BC, Jupiter exited Libra while entering Scorpio. More specifically lines 1-3 of this astronomical clay tablet may be understood in terms of depicting the Jupiter events between Sept. 511 BC and Oct. 510 BC. Accordingly, the 7^th and 8^th years must be placed from the Spring of 511 BC until the Spring of 509 BC, and, for this temporal placement to fit, there must be two lunar eclipses between the Springs of 511 BC and 510 BC, within the 7^th year of this record. But the closest pair of lunar eclipses, visible from Babylon, that possibly fit this record occurred on June 14 and December 9, 512 BC. Considering also the lunar eclipses that were not visible from the Baghdad horizon, we find two lunar eclipses also within the 7th year, starting in Spring of 511 BC: A total lunar eclipse on June 4, 511 BC, and a partial (58.54%) lunar eclipse on Nov 29, 511 BC.

Per Starry Night Backyard Constellation Boundaries, Jupiter left Leo for Virgo on Sept 18, 524 BC. Jupiter then became stationary while reversing across the breast of Virgo December 18, 524 BC, and then again April 23, 523 BC reverting to forward motion. Next stationary position occurred –after its last and only passage of Spica, alpha Virgo, on October 14, 523 BC– across the lower left tibia of Virgo on January 20, 522 BC, and following that on May 25, 522 BC. On Sept. 22, 522 BC Jupiter exited the Starry Night Backyard boundary of Virgo for Libra, passing Libra’s alpha star, Zubenelgenubi, [purchase or deficient price Christ paid] on October 7, 522 BC, mirrors [October 8, 2015 Venus–Regulus in Leo] On Jan. 5th, 521 BC it exited Libra for Scorpio, by–passing the Sun on Oct. 10, 522 BC, prior to visibility in the evening sky, after which it rose higher in morning sky as it trailed ever further behind Libra.

Specifically on lines 1 and 2: ‘Virgo,’ as used in line 1 and 2, could represent either the constellation, or else the lead star, alpha Virgo, Spica. Given that only one month time is provided between lines 1 and 2, I am forced to conclude that Virgo, as used in lines 1 and 2, must apply to Spica, alpha Virgo and not to the constellation as a whole. It follows that the 22^nd day of the 5^th Moon of line 1 must be placed before Jupiter’s passing Spica, and that the 22^nd day of the 6^th Moon of line 2 must be placed after Jupiter’s passing Spica.

The conventional 524-522 BC scenario: Given, per Starry Night Backyard soft-ware, that Jupiter passed Spica only once within 524-521 BC, on October 14, 523 BC, I have no choice but to identify Moon 1 as opening May 5, 523 BC, Moon 5 as starting August 30+ [Aug 30, 523 BC sunset: 18:38:13; moonset: 18: 56:32; lag: 28 min 19 sec; illum.: 1.66%;] Moon 6 as opening on Sept. 29+ [Sept 29, 523 BC sunset: 17:59:51; moonset: 18:25:44; lag: 25 min 53 sec; illum.: 2.96%;] and Moon 10 opening on January 26+, 522 BC [Jan 26, 522 BC sunset: 17:27:55; moon- set: 18:52:35; lag: 84 min 40 sec; illum.: 2.25%.]

Thus:

Abib 1 was reckoned as beginning on May 5+, 523 BC; ie. per the conventional dating of this record!

The 22^nd day of the 5^th Moon began on September 20+, 523 BC;

The 22^nd day of the 6^th Moon began on October 20+, 523 BC;

The 27^th day of the 10^th Moon began on February 21+, 522 BC. Notice: This is a no fit option, that is since 1) the real event took place on January 20± located 1° 35’ distant, and 2) the real event took place within the boundaries of the Virgo constellation, outside the constellation of Libra!

The closest & only alternative – that does(?) fit this astronomical record: The next time following the above 524-522 BC Virgo and Libra passage of Jupiter, began when, on September 2, 512 BC, Jupiter again exited Leo for Virgo, after which it again became stationary near Virgo’s left elbow; Dec. 24, 512 BC, and again reversing its path on April 25, 211 BC. Following next, Jupiter by-passed Spica, alpha Virgo, September 28, 511 BC, mirroring the last Blood Moon of the  9/28/2015 Blood Moon Tetrad, after which Jupiter reversed its path January 26, 510 BC (shortly after passing Libra’s limits, Dec. 23rd, 511 BC) before halting & reversing on May 29, 510 BC, to reenter Libra, August 16th, 510 BC. After by-passing alpha Libra on September 22, 510 BC, exiting constellation Libra for Scorpio on December 13, 510 BC.

The alternative 512-510 BC scenario: Given, per my Starry Night Backyard soft–ware, that Jupiter passed Spica only once within 512-510 BC, on September 28, 511 BC, [9/28/2015 Super Blood Moon @ Feast of Trunpets] I have no choice but to identify Moon 1 opening April 21, 511 BC, & Moon 5 started August 18+ [Aug 18, 511 BC-sunset: 18:50:57; moonset: 19:39: 02; lag: 48 min 05 sec; illum.: 1.04%;] Moon 6 opening Sept. 17+Sun clothes Virgo/ Moon @ feet/2015 Mercury-Spica, [Sept 17, 511 BC] @ sunset: 18:15:36; moonset: 19:17:25; lag: 61 min 49 sec; illum: 2.88%;] Moon 10 opened January 13+, 510 BC [Jan 13, 510 BC sunset: 17:16:38; moonset: 18:41:57; lag: 86 min 19 sec; illum.: 3.21%.]

Thus:

Abib 1 reckoned as beginning on April 21+, 511 BC; ie. per the one perfect fit dating of this record!

The 22^nd day of the 5^th Moon began on September 8+, 511 BC;

The 22^nd day of the 6^th Moon began on October 8+, 511 BC; mirrors Oct. 8/2015 Venus–Regulus in Leo].

The 27^th day of the 10^th Moon began on February 8+, 511 BC. Notice: Jupiter moved no more than 0° 20’ between Jan 26 and Feb 8. This is a good fit!

Alternatively:

Jupiter passed Porrima on August 7, 511 BC.

Thus:

Abib 1 was reckoned starting on February 22+, 511 BC; This is not a likely Aviv date!

The 22^nd day of the 5^th Moon began on July 11+, 511 BC;

The 22^nd day of the 6^th Moon began on August 10+, 511 BC;

The 27^th day of the 10^th Moon began on December 11+, 511 BC. Notice: Jupiter moved almost 3° between Dec 11 and Jan 25. This is not a good fit!

It follows that for this Jupiter scenario to fit, Spica must have been the Virgo reference star, not Porrima!

Next we will review elements of the Chronologies of Darius 1 and Xerxes 1 followed by Artaxerxes. Lets start with the case for Ahasuerus being Darius: [see seforim blog]

Another aspect of this is topic is consideration of the Chronology of Persian Kings. One reason the timeline is uncertain between Darius and Xerxes is they share similar personality traits. Though there are character traits that can fit Xerxes, they too can fit equally well for Darius. For example, Darius is well-known for his greed. Herodotus called Darius a “huckster“ for Darius sought to make a gain in everything. This fits with Haman offering to pay the King 10,000 talents of silver, & also fits Esther appealing to the loss of kingdom revenue with the Israelites in the kingdom being eliminated.

Esther 1:1 says this king reigned over Ethiopia. However, it was not until Cambyses; 530-523 BC that Ethiopia and Egypt were conquered. Same verse also says that he ruled over India, Yet India wasn’t conquered until Darius Hystaspis, (506 BC). This king chose the city of Susa or Shushan to build his palace according to Pliny. This rules out anyone before Darius.

The age of Mordecai rules out anyone later than Darius, to which Rev. Nessle has pointed out and agrees. The age of Mordecai and Esther rules out anyone later than Darius. Some have recognized this problem and have attempted a difficult translation such as the NKJV – that says Kish, not Mordecai who was taken captive under Jeconiah. Quotes; Jones says, “Only by a tortured, forced grammatical construction could this sentence ever be applied to his Great Grandfather Kish.” If Mordecai was taken into exile, it makes him 78 in the first chapter of Esther, and 87 at the end, rather than 124 years old when promoted to the position of prime minister/Grand Vizier.

This chronology solves major problems in Ezra and Nehemiah where both are either made to be incredibly old or where (as most say) there are two different Ezras and two different Nehemiahs, [but no other Mordecai’s in the Bible.]

Esther 1:14 mentions “the seven princes of Persia and Media.” Darius began the custom of having seven counselors.

Esther 1:14. Notice the order of “Persia and Media” (cf. 1:3,18,19). Before Cyrus, the Medes were dominant and Scripture refers to them as “the Medes and the Persians.” Not until Cyrus’ first year [539-538 BC] did the Persians gain ascendancy over the Medes.

Under Darius the Mede there were 120 satrapies (Dan. 6:1), yet under this king there are 127 (Est 1:1). Between the two kings the satrapies increased, but it was not until the twelfth year of Darius that all 127 were in place. Under Xerxes the number of provinces controlled by Persia began to decrease.

Esther 10:1 says that this king laid tribute upon the land and upon the Isles of the Sea, but Darius was the first to exact tribute. Not only that, but under Xerxes the kingdom actually lost the isles by his 12th year. Esther 10 says that it was in the 13th year that tribute began.

A good argument for Xerxes comes from Georg Friedrich Grotefend’s decoding of the Persian characters found in Persepolis ruins. The name of the son of Darius Hystaspis was deciphered as Khshayarsha, in ancient Persian.

He had to be available in the third year for a half year feast. This rules out Astyages who only ruled in Persia for two years, though he did rule in Media.

Grotefend’s translation to Greek = Xerxes. When khshayarsha is transposed into Hebrew, it becomes near letter for letter Akhashverosh, that’s rendered Ahasuerus in English. A problem with this is “Ahasuerus” consists of 2 words “aha“ that means “mighty“ and “Suerus“ meaning “king;”- Mighty king. So the translation into Xerxes leaves out the “aha” or the mighty. Jones says that it should have literally been translated “Artaxerxes.” This may be a reference to Darius’s grand-son, Artaxerxes and had nothing to do with Xerxes.

Ahasuerus may seem a probable match to Xerxes because:

– The name Ahasuerus is close to some versions of the name Xerxes even though it is not so close to the Xerxes version, as seen below.

Xerxes (Greek) = Xsayaarsan/Khshayarsha/Xsayarsa/Khashayar/Xasayar/Axores (Persian) = Khsherish/Khshiarsh/Khshaiarsha/Xasayarusa/Hasayarusa (Egyptian) = Hisi’arsa/Ahsiyarsu/Ahsiiaarsu (Akkadian/Babylonian) = Aksiwarsu/ Aksiiwaarsu = Hsy’rs (Aramaic) = Ahaseros/Ahaseweros/Ahasveros (Biblical) = Ahasuerus/Assuerus (Latin Biblical) = Ahasweros/Achashverosh (Tiberian biblical) = Asoueros (Greek biblical).

Although the Septuagint, Vulgate, Midrash & Josephus with the Ethiopic text identifies Ahasuerus as Artaxerxes, these are later traditions, and the name Artaxerxes is similar to Xerxes in Greek at least. (Artaxerxes is “considered a common name/title of kings in Persia.”)

[https://seforimblog.com/2013/02/identifying-achashverosh-and-esther-in/]

There was something special going on in the third year of this king’s reign. Xerxes fits this beautifully in that he was gearing up for a campaign against the Greeks and he needed the support of his princes. But it fits a chronology of Darius as well. Darius spent the first two+ years of his reign putting down rebellions, and a feast in the third year fits perfectly. It would have finally been a celebration of having put down nine attempted overthrows of the kingdom and numerous rebellions in the empire. Once it was consolidated, it was time to celebrate and show forth his power.

Likewise waiting till the seventh year for the wedding search fits Xerxes. He had come home wasted in his war with Greece. He lost badly and could have been comforting himself during this time.

James Jordan says, “we have seen that Darius is called Artaxerxes in Ezra-Nehemiah. In the Greek Septuagint throughout, Esther’s king is called Artaxerxes.

Ahasuerus is between Darius and Artaxerxes in Ezra 4. Xerxes is between Darius and Artaxerxes in Persian king lists and in Herodotus.

There is also the exact date match of the 10th month of the king’s 7th year: “Ahasuerus met Esther in the 10th month of his 7th year. Xerxes sought comfort from his harem following his defeat at Salamis in 10th month of his 7th year.” Ahasuerus banished Vashti in his 3rd year, and met Esther in his 7th year. Xerxes ruled from 486, and his Greek invasion was in 480 BC (to before?) his 7th year?). The 13th year of Ahasuerus is also near Xerxes 12th year, that also links to his proposed death date in 475-474 BC by Thucydides.

Xerxes was born in 518 and went to Greece in 480. It is 38 years from Xerxes’ birth to the expedition. It gives 19 yrs for age of marriage and 19 for age of 1st son (or sons if twins), which might be pushing it? “When reaching the age of 7, they learn how to ride and hunt. …. At the age of 16 or 17, they begin their ‘national service‘ for 10 years, which included practicing archery with other corporal training.

• Chapter 1 takes place in the third year of King Ahasuerus’ reign. Some small details in chapter 2 will identify the events unfolding are about three years after chapter 1.
  • There is a year of what is described as beauty treatment for Esther and she will be taken as Queen for King Ahasuerus in the seventh year of his reign seen in v. 16.
• There are some important historical milestones to highlight before continuing the verse by verse
  • Darius I suffered a defeat at what is know as the battle of Marathon in 490 BC.
  • Persians should have had the advantage in numbers and the tactic of rapid fire arrows, However the Greeks had developed an bronze-armored shield that created an effective defensive shield allowing the Greeks to march into close range where their superior weapons won the day.
• Ahasuerus then was defeated at Thermopylae by the Spartans 480 BC (the movie 300 is a depiction of this battle) The Greeks all died but they bought time for the other cities to resist the Persian attacks.
  • The land battle was halted because winter set in and the battle was taken to the seas.
  • The Persians were then routed in the battle of Salamis by a superior commander who lured the them into the narrow straights with no way of escape.
• War continued to simmer and the Persians tried to gain the upper hand in political negotiations, when they did not provide the desired outcome a final battle was engaged at Plataea in Boeotia in August 479 BC.
  • God always stays focused on what is happening for His people.
    

    Let the king appoint overseers in all provinces of his kingdom that they may gather every beautiful young virgin to the citadel of Susa, to the harem, into the custody of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women;

    • All the women were to live in the harem under the charge of Hegai,
    • The name Hegai occurs as an officer of Xerxes in the Histories of Herodotus (ix. 34)
      • While in the harem the women are to let their cosmetics be given them, we will look at this more in detail when we get to verse 12.
        

        Esth. 2:8 So it came about when the command and decree of the king were heard and many young ladies were gathered to the citadel of Susa into the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken to the king’s palace into the custody of Hegai, who was in charge of the women.
        Esth. 2:9 Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice maids from the king’s palace and transferred her and her maids to the best place in the harem.
        Esth. 2:10 Esther did not make known her people or her kindred, for Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make them known.
        Esth. 2:11 Every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and how she fared.

        • Verse 6 establishes Mordicai’s grandfather Kish as one, “who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the captives who had been exiled with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had exiled.”
        • The event of King Jeconiah’s exiled is found in Jer. 27:19-20:
          • Nebuchadnezzar’s removal of king Jeconiah from Jerusalem was in 597 BC.
            • All the nobles of Jerusalem were included in this exile, Kish would have been in this group of people and have been from one of the noble families of Israel.
            • Mordecai was from the royal families of the Jews.
              • The next character in the narrative of Esther is introduced as Hadassah, a Jewish name meaning ‘myrtle’ and her Persian name Esther meaning ‘star’, this could be a potential reference to the star–like flowers of the myrtle.
                • Esther is Mordecai’s cousin as she is his uncle’s daughter.
                • Esther is without a living father or mother, however her family line is also from a royal family of Jews just as Mordecai, he adopted her and was raising her as his own daughter. She found favor with Mordecai as he took her as his daughter.
                  • • She found favor with Hegai as he quickly brought her into the harem and gave her advantage over all the other virgins.
                  • Verse 16 gives us the details of when this event takes place, “So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus to his royal palace in the tenth month which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.”
                    • This is the confirmation of the historical time this narrative takes place.
                    • This would have been about four years from the time the king had issued his edit concerning Vashti.
                  • This would be one of the area of concern for the Jews reading this narrative regarding Esther as it would display a young Jewish virgin going to be with a Gentile, married man.
                    • This would be a violation of Jewish Law and could be seen as a disgrace to some.
                    • This became a moral struggle for may Jews to put this in a positive light as it appears was needed in later years because Esther would come to represent a heroine of the Jews.
                    • This would be why the Rabbis took care to write history to put Esther in a better light as compared to Vashti.
                    • The focus should be directed to what the scriptures have to say.
                  • God uses all events of history to bring Himself glory even the parts that seem mired in darkness.
                  • Verse 17 displays the response of the king after his evening spent with Esther as we read, “The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti, he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti”
                    • Esther is still listening to the direction of her adopted father, Mordecai, even though she is no longer under his care but has been crowned the Queen.
                      • This again displays her humble character.
                    • Verse 21 discloses a significant incident, “In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s officials from those who guarded the door, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.”
                    • The relevance of, ‘in those days’ is tied to the event where the virgins were gathered together a second time, which was also a time in which Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.
                    • During this particular time two men, who are described as officials of the king who were to guard the door of the king’s gate, become angry enough to try and kill King Ahasuerus.
                    • Tensions were probably running high for a lot of reasons but for the young virgins who were to be sent home their delegates would have been offended for them.
                      • That is speculation but it would seem the two events are tied together here.
                    • The king’s life would always be in danger as this is part of the risk to having so much power.
                    • In verse 22 we hear that the plot became known to Mordecai and he translated the message through Queen Esther.
                    • It was then Esther who told the king the information she had received from Mordecai.
                    • Finally in verse 23 the result of this revelation is that there was an investigation lauded and the report was verified with the conclusion of both men being hanged on the gallows.
                    • As with every important event that transpired during the king’s reign this one, “was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence.”
                    • The books containing the king’s written records would have been destroyed in the fire that happened during the reign of Artexerxes, the son of King Ahasuerus.
                      • How amazing is it the events were recorded for us by God in His divine way.
                    • The coincidences continue to stack up in this story.
                    • The King is ready to carry on his duties as King now that the wars of subsided with the Greeks.
                      • A Jewish princess, not identified publicly, already resides in the citadel of Susa.
                      • She happens to be beautiful, humble, obedient, wise and charming.
                      • She catches the attention of Hegai an important official in the king’s service, one who happens to control the daily lives of all the virgins brought to the king.
                      • The king happens to adore her as well and selects her to be his queen.
                      • Her adopted father happens to be sitting in the king’s gate when a plot to kill the king is discovered and thwarted.

Footnotes;

[1.]  http://www.adamoh.org/TreeOfLife.wan.io/OTCh/BM_33066-Cambyses_clay_tablet/BM_33066-Cambyses_7th_year_astronomy_clay_tablet-Initial_Review.htm

Adapted article from; Jul 16, 523 BC – ANCHOR Partial Lunar Eclipse Yr 7 of Cambyses, Chronological, Historical and Archaeological Evidence by Gerard Gertoux

[2] Cf. footnote 1!

[3] Notice that our placement of this event forces a definition of the meaning of the original words behind this sentence! That is, whether or not an intercalary Moon was inserted at this time! At any rate, all considerable dates requires a 12 Moon year at this point, that is, with no intercalary Moon! [Cf. footnote 4!]

[4] The conventional 524-522 BC scenario: The event of May 25, 522 BC (cf. footnote 1.) Month 2 of year 8 began on either May 24+, or else on June 22+ (if a 13^th Moon is intercalated.) The 25^th day of Moon 2 fell on June 17+, or else on July 16+. June 17+ is perhaps? close enough to May 25, 522 BC (Jupiter moved 0° 51’,) but not July 16+!

The alternative 512-510 BCE scenario: The event of May 29, 510 BC (cf. ftnote 1.) Month 2 of year 8 began on either May 11+, or else on June 10+ (if a 13^th Moon is intercalated.) The 29^th day of Moon 2 fell on June 8+, or else on July 8+. June 8+ is close enough to May 29, 510 BC (Jupiter moved 0° 15’,) but not July 8+ (Jupiter moved 2° 30’!)

Accordingly, the cuneiform behind this translation is most likely saying that the 12^th Moon of this year was the last Moon of this year, and that there was no 13^th Moon.

 [5] Perhaps the error is found in the translation “behind Libra”, ie. vs. “in front of Libra?”

[6] Given that Moon 2 is already defined, it follows that: The conventional 524-522 BC scenario: Moon 6, 522 BC began Sept 18+, 522 BC. The 4^th day of the 6^th Moon began on Sept 21+, 522 BC. But, a called for recorded event occurred after passing alpha Libra on October 7, 522 BC.

The alternative 512-510 BC scenario: Moon 6, 510 BC began on Sept 7+, 510 BC. The 4^th day of the 6^th Moon began on Sept 10+. But, the called for recorded event occurred after passing alpha Libra on September 22, 510 BC.

It becomes obvious that alpha Libra is not the reference star being used in this record. Most likely then, the correct reference star must be beta Libra, Zubeneschamali. The corresponding corrected dates for Jupiter’s passing Libra are Nov 11, 522 BC and Oct 27, 510 BC. [But this suggestion only aggravates the problem!]

[7] The conventional 524-522 BC scenario: After reviewing the available Jupiter events and available lunar eclipses, we may narrow considerations of the Venus events accordingly, that is, the 7^th year of BM 33066 beginning in Spring of 523 BC. More precisely, the 3^rd Moon of year 7 began with the New Moon June 3, 523 BC [June 3, 523 BC sunset: 18:58:43; moonset: 20:19:51; lag: 81 min 8 sec; illum.: 2.01%.]

Thus, Day 10 of Moon 3 of year 7 began at sunset June 12, 523 BC. Seems we have a problem here: Venus is in front of Cancer, not Leo! However, seeing that the first star visible with Venus on the evening sky was Regulus, alpha Leo, this too makes much sense!

Day 27 of Moon 3 of year 7 began at sunset June 29, 523 BC. Seems that here too we may have a problem?! Venus is in the area of Gemini, NOT in Cancer. However, the Sun is in Cancer. Perhaps this is an error in translation? Or, perhaps the correct answer is found in recognizing that the Sun too is a star and that the Sun was, at that time, in Cancer! Indeed, as represented by my astronomy software, SNB, Venus was visible even before sunset! And, looking up Venus and magnitude I find that Venus is brighter as a crescent than it is at its full, that is, because of its closeness to Earth…

Indeed, to me, both of these Venus notations seems powerful evidence of the astronomer’s actual first hand observation of these events, that is, as opposed to theoretical calculations as some are suggesting.

The alternative 512-510 BC scenario:

Per our findings (cf. footnote #) for the 512-510BC scenario re Jupiter, day 10 of Moon 3 of year 7, must have fallen on June 29 or 30, 511 BC. But, in the 7^th year the only lunar eclipses fell, not in the 4^th and 10 Moons as required by this record, but in the 2^nd and 8^th Moons. As there is no fit for both Jupiter events and the eclipse events as recorded on BM33066, I find the 512-510 scenario is not a workable option and can be most certainly ruled out! – Accordingly, I may now freely go on with my creation of an interpretation of BM33066 in terms of the 323-321 BC scenario…

[8] Conventional placement in July 522 BC: As observable from the Baghdad horizon on July 5, 522 BC per Starry Night Backyard software: Sunset: 19:11:36; opening of penumbral (not noticeable) shadow: 20:49:36; beginning of visible shadow: 22:02:36; starting of total eclipse: 22:59:00; end total eclipse: 00:47:00; end of visible shadow: 01:46:00; end of penumbral (not noticeable) shadow: 02:58:00.

Accordingly, the blood colored red totally eclipsed Moon began 3 hours, 48 min, and 24 seconds after sunset, and the visible eclipse began 2 hours 53 min after sunset. It follows that F. X. Kugler’s 1907 translation – “1 2/3 Doppelstunden (3h 20m,)” i.e. “1 2/3 double hours [three hours and twenty minutes]” – is a less correct translation than is “1 2/3 and 1 double hour” as found at this link.

[9] Please note that the cuneiform word translated “the north wind blew” is probably better translated in terms of “stood.” Cf. my discussion at footnote 59 under this link.

[10] Conventional placement in December 522 BC: As observable from the Baghdad horizon on December 30-31, 522 BC per Starry Night Backyard software: Sunset: 17:06:30; beginning of penumbral (invisible) eclipse shadow: 17:35:04; beginning of visible partial (64.36%) eclipse: 18:48:00; end of visible partial eclipse: 21:18:00; sunrise: 07:11:28; moonset: 07:37:52.

Notice: The facts of this eclipse do not agree with the words of the record as conventionally translated!: Not, by far, a total eclipse, and the eclipse occurred in the evening, not in the hours before dawn!

Alternatives to conventional placement: Looking at the placement of lunar eclipses between 539 BC and 500 BC, I find only one other reasonably timed lunar eclipse pair: In 512 BC…

As observable from the Baghdad horizon on June 14-15, 512 BC per Starry Night Backyard software: Sunset: 19:05:09; beginning of penumbral (invisible) eclipse shadow: 23:14:33; beginning of visible partial (76.47%) eclipse: 00:28:00; end of visible partial eclipse: 03:19:00; end of penumbral (invisible) eclipse: 04:31:00; sunrise: 04:46:41; moonset: 04:58:33.

As observable from the Baghdad horizon on December 9-10, 512 BC per Starry Night Backyard software: Sunset: 16:59:59; beginning of penumbral (invisible) eclipse shadow: 00:44:00; beginning of visible total eclipse: 01:53:00; beginning of totally eclipsed Moon: 02:49:00; end of totally eclipsed Moon: 04:34:00; end of visible eclipse: 05:29:00; end penumbral eclipse: 06:38:40; sunrise: 06:58:15; moonset: 07:10:33.

Conclusion re alternative placement in time: Seeing that the beginning of the June 14/15, 512 BC visible eclipse is too far removed from sunset while also not a total eclipse, while the December 9/10, 512 BC eclipse seem a fairly good fit, I find that most likely the translation of the cuneiform is in serious error and must be thoroughly reviewed and reconsidered. Perhaps the best approach to this problem is to begin by considering the within record of Jupiter & Saturn? Cf. lines 1-3 reverse!

[11] If “total eclipse” is a correct translation, then this does not fit 522 BC! Please cf. the Notice under footnote #10!

[12] Re the cuneiform words translated “the south and north winds blew”, please cf. footnote#9.

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