Esther 1:10-21
New American Standard Bible
Queen Vashti’s Refusal
10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was (A)cheerful with wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal (B)turban in order to display her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s order [a]delivered by the eunuchs. So the king became very angry, and his wrath burned within him.
13 Then the king said to (C)the wise men (D)who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king to speak this way before all who knew Persian law and justice 14 and were close to him, namely, Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media (E)who [b]had access to the king’s presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom— 15 “According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, since she did not [c]obey the command of King Ahasuerus [d]delivered by the eunuchs?” 16 And in the presence of the king and the other officials, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen’s conduct will [e]become known to all the women so as to make their own husbands despicable in their sight, when they say, ‘King Ahasuerus [f]commanded that Queen Vashti be brought in to his presence, but she did not come.’ 18 And this day the wives of the officials of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will talk about it to all the king’s officials, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger. 19 If it pleases the king, let a royal [g]edict be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so (F)that it cannot [h]be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to [i]another who is more worthy than she. 20 When the king’s edict which he will make is heard throughout his kingdom, [j]great as it is, then (G)all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.”
21 Now this word pleased the king and the officials, and the king did [k]as Memucan proposed.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Esther 1:12 Lit by the hand of the
- Esther 1:14 Lit saw the face of the king
- Esther 1:15 Lit do
- Esther 1:15 Lit by the hand of the
- Esther 1:17 Lit go forth
- Esther 1:17 Lit said to bring
- Esther 1:19 Lit word go forth from
- Esther 1:19 Lit pass by
- Esther 1:19 Lit her neighbor
- Esther 1:20 Lit for great is it
- Esther 1:21 Lit according to the word of
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
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