Esther 1:10-21
Holman Christian Standard Bible
10 On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine,(A) Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,(B) Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs(C) who personally served him, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, because she was very beautiful.(D) 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command that was delivered by his eunuchs. The king became furious and his anger burned within him.(E)
The King’s Decree
13 The king consulted the wise men(F) who understood the times,[a](G) for it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice. 14 The most trusted ones[b] were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven officials(H) of Persia and Media(I) who had personal access to the king(J) and occupied the highest positions in the kingdom.(K) 15 The king asked, “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus’s command that was delivered by the eunuchs?”
16 Memucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the officials and the peoples who are in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces.(L) 17 For the queen’s action will become public knowledge to all the women and cause them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti brought before him, but she did not come.’ 18 Before this day is over, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen’s act will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in more contempt and fury.
19 “If it meets the king’s approval, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media, so that it cannot be revoked:(M) Vashti is not to enter King Ahasuerus’s presence, and her royal position is to be given to another woman who is more worthy than she.(N) 20 The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom,(O) so all women will honor their husbands,(P) from the least to the greatest.”(Q)
21 The king and his counselors approved the proposal, and he followed Memucan’s advice.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Esther 1:13 Or understood propitious times
- Esther 1:14 Lit Those near him
Esther 1:10-21
International Standard Version
Vashti Refuses to Obey the King
10 A week later, when the king was under the influence of all that wine,[a] he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who served King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti to the king, wearing[b] the royal crown to display her beauty to the people and the officials, since she was lovely to look at. 12 Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s order that was brought by the eunuchs.
The King Removes Vashti as Queen
Then the king flew into a rage. 13 The king spoke to the wise men who understood the times, for it was the king’s custom to consult[c] all those who understood law and justice. 14 (His closest advisors[d] were: Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media who had direct access[e] to the king and who held the highest rank[f] in the kingdom.) 15 The king inquired,[g] “According to law, what should be done to Queen Vashti because she did not obey the order of King Ahasuerus that was delivered by the eunuchs?”
16 Then Memucan replied in the presence of the king and his officials, “It is not the king alone whom Vashti has wronged, but rather all of the officials and all of the people who are in the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 When the report about the queen goes out to all the women, it will cause them to despise their husbands.[h] They’ll say, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she wouldn’t come.’ 18 This very day the wives of the officials[i] of Persia and Media who hear the report about the queen will speak in the same way to all the officials of the king, and there will be more than enough contempt and anger. 19 If it seems good to the king, let a royal decree go out from him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Ahasuerus. Let the king give her royal position to another woman who is better than she. 20 When the edict of the king that he issues is heard throughout his kingdom—for it’s vast—then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the greatest to the least important.”
21 This seemed like a good idea[j] to the king and his officials, so the king did what Memucan suggested.[k]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Esther 1:10 Lit. the heart of the king was happy with wine
- Esther 1:11 Lit. with
- Esther 1:13 Lit. to speak before
- Esther 1:14 Lit. Those closest to him
- Esther 1:14 Lit. saw the face of
- Esther 1:14 Lit. sat first in the kingdom
- Esther 1:15 The Heb. lacks The king inquired
- Esther 1:17 Lit. husbands in their eyes
- Esther 1:18 Or women of nobility
- Esther 1:21 The Heb. lacks idea
- Esther 1:21 Lit. according to the word of Memucan
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