Bible Trivia

Bible Trivia Question

Bible Trivia Question

What's the Answer?

What did Bigthan and Teresh try to do?


Kill Mordecai
Assassinate the king
Kill Haman
Overthrow the king

Find this question in our Esther Bible Quiz

The answer is: Assassinate the king

Esther 2:21

In the book of Esther, Bigthan and Teresh are two royal officials who plot to take down King Ahasuerus (sometimes referred to by his Greek name, Xerxes). Their plan to assassinate him unfolds in the palace and is both audacious and treacherous. This plot unfolds in the broader narrative context where vivid themes of power, loyalty, and divine Providence intertwine.

It’s interesting to note that the Jewish festival of Purim celebrates Esther's story, emphasizing courage in the face of deception and danger. Just as Esther rises to prominence for her bravery, these men represent how easily influences can seep into even the highest levels of authority. By revealing the plot, Mordecai, Esther's cousin, not only saves the king but positions Esther's narrative to unfold, weaving together a tale of heroism against the backdrop of evil plans and discrimination against the Jewish people.

Historically, these kinds of palace plots weren't unusual in the ancient Near East. In fact, assassination as a way to overthrow rulers possibly triggers echoes from various other stories, like those involving political intrigue common in Egypt or the intrigues that would unfold in Rome centuries later. Knowing about Bigthan and Teresh's failed plot reminds us of this rich tapestry woven throughout history and illustrates the often unseen ways that lives intersect between hope and hardship.

Similar Bible Trivia Questions