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Esther 1:10-21
Lexham English Bible

Queen Vashti Refuses the King’s Request

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he said to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven of the eunuchs attending King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown[a] to show the people and the officials her beauty, for she was very attractive.[b] 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king that was conveyed by[c] the eunuchs. And the king became very angry, and his anger burned in him.

13 And the king said to the wise men, the ones who know the times[d]—for it was the procedure of the king before all those who knew law and rights;[e] 14 and those next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media who had access to the king[f] and sat first in the kingdom— 15 “According to the law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she has not done the command of King Ahasuerus conveyed by[g] the eunuchs? 16 And Memucan said before the king and the officials, “Not only has Queen Vashti done wrong to the king, but to all the officials and all of the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For this deed of the queen will be known[h] to all the women, causing them to look with contempt on their husbands,[i] as they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him but she did not come!’ 18 This day the women of nobility from Persia and Media will respond to all the officials of the king and there will be no end to contempt and anger. 19 If it pleases[j] the king, let a royal edict[k] go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of Persia and Media so that it will not be altered, that Vashti cannot come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to her neighbor who is better than she. 20 And let the king’s decree that he will make be proclaimed in all his kingdom, because it is vast and all the women will honor their husbands, great and small.”[l]

21 This advice pleased the king[m] and the officials, and the king acted according to the word of Memucan.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 1:11 Literally “with her headdress of the kingdom”
  2. Esther 1:11 Literally “for she was of good appearance”
  3. Esther 1:12 Literally “by the hand of”
  4. Esther 1:13 Literally “the knowers of the times”
  5. Esther 1:13 Or “custom and legalities”
  6. Esther 1:14 Literally “saw the face of the king”
  7. Esther 1:15 Literally “by the hand of”
  8. Esther 1:17 Literally “will go out”
  9. Esther 1:17 Literally “to despise their husbands in their eyes”
  10. Esther 1:19 Literally “If it is good to”
  11. Esther 1:19 Literally “a word of the kingdom”
  12. Esther 1:20 Or “high and low”
  13. Esther 1:21 Literally “The word was good in the eyes of the king
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Esther 1:10-21
New King James Version

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, (A)Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.

13 Then the king said to the (B)wise men (C)who understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice, 14 those closest to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the (D)seven princes of Persia and Media, (E)who had access to the king’s presence, and who [a]ranked highest in the kingdom): 15 “What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?”

16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will (F)despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.’ 18 This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath. 19 If it pleases the king, let a royal [b]decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will (G)not [c]be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. 20 When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will (H)honor their husbands, both great and small.”

21 And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 1:14 Lit. sat in first place
  2. Esther 1:19 Lit. word
  3. Esther 1:19 pass away
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Esther 1:10-21
New International Version

10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits(A) from wine,(B) he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,(C) Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring(D) before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty(E) to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.(F)

13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times(G) 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles(H) of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.

15 “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”

16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.(I)

19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king,(J) let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed,(K) that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”

21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed.

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