Esther

Esther 1:14–21

14His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom.

15“According to law,” he asked, “what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey the command of King Xerxes delivered by the eunuchs?”

16And in the presence of the king and his princes, Memucan replied, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17For the conduct of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to despise their husbandsc and say, ‘King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’

18This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in much contempt and wrath.

19So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she. 20The edict the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom — and so all women, from the least to the greatest, will honor their husbands.”

21The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so the king did as Memucan advised.

Footnotes

  • c 1:17 Or to disdain their husbands in their eyes

Read all of Esther 1

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Esther 1:14

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
His closest advisorsוְהַקָּרֹ֣בwə·haq·qā·rōḇConjunctive waw, Article; Adjective - masculine singularH7138 near
Carshenaכַּרְשְׁנָ֤אkar·šə·nāNoun - proper - masculine singularH3771 Karshena
Shetharשֵׁתָר֙šê·ṯārNoun - proper - masculine singularH8369 Shethar
Admathaאַדְמָ֣תָא’aḏ·mā·ṯāNoun - proper - masculine singularH133 Admatha
Tarshishתַרְשִׁ֔ישׁṯar·šîšNoun - proper - masculine singularH8659 Tarshish
Meresמֶ֥רֶסme·resNoun - proper - masculine singularH4825 Meres
Marsenaמַרְסְנָ֖אmar·sə·nāNoun - proper - masculine singularH4826 Marsena
and Memucanמְמוּכָ֑ןmə·mū·ḵānNoun - proper - masculine singularH4462 Memucan, Momucan
the sevenשִׁבְעַ֞תšiḇ·‘aṯNumber - masculine singular constructH7651 seven
princesשָׂרֵ֣י׀śā·rêNoun - masculine plural constructH8269 chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
of Persiaפָּרַ֣סpā·rasNoun - proper - feminine singularH6539 Persia
and Mediaוּמָדַ֗יū·mā·ḏayConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - feminine singularH4074 Medes, Media
who had personal access toרֹאֵי֙rō·’êVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural constructH7200 see
the kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
rankedהַיֹּשְׁבִ֥יםhay·yō·šə·ḇîmArticle; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralH3427 sit, remain, dwell
highestרִאשֹׁנָ֖הri·šō·nāhAdjective - feminine singularH7223 former, first, chief
in the kingdomבַּמַּלְכֽוּת׃bam·mal·ḵūṯPreposition-b, Article; Noun - feminine singularH4438 royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

Esther 1:15

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
According to lawכְּדָת֙kə·ḏāṯPreposition-k; Noun - feminine singularH1881 decree, law, usage
he askedמַֽה־mah-InterrogativeH4100 what? how? aught
whatמַֽה־mah-InterrogativeH4100 what? how? aught
should be doneלַּעֲשׂ֔וֹתla·‘ă·śō·wṯPreposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH6213 do, make
with Queenבַּמַּלְכָּ֖הbam·mal·kāhPreposition-b, Article; Noun - feminine singularH4436 queen
Vashtiוַשְׁתִּ֑יwaš·tîNoun - proper - masculine singularH2060 Vashti
sinceעַ֣ל׀‘alPrepositionH5921 height
she refused to obeyלֹֽא־lō-Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
the commandמַאֲמַר֙ma·’ă·marNoun - masculine singular constructH3982 word, command
of Kingהַמֶּ֣לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
Xerxesאֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōšNoun - proper - masculine singularH325 Ahasuerus
delivered byבְּיַ֖דbə·yaḏPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular constructH3027 hand
the eunuchsהַסָּרִיסִֽים׃סhas·sā·rî·sîmArticle; Noun - masculine pluralH5631 eunuch

Esther 1:16

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
And in the presenceלִפְנֵ֤יlip̄·nêPreposition-l; Noun - common plural constructH6440 face, before
of the kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
and his princesוְהַשָּׂרִ֔יםwə·haś·śā·rîmConjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine pluralH8269 chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
Memucanמוּמְכָןmū·mə·ḵå̄nNoun - proper - masculine singularH4462 Memucan, Momucan
repliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
Queenהַמַּלְכָּ֑הham·mal·kāhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH4436 queen
Vashtiוַשְׁתִּ֣יwaš·tîNoun - proper - masculine singularH2060 Vashti
has wrongedעָוְתָ֖ה‘ā·wə·ṯāhVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singularH5753 bend, twist
notלֹ֤אlōAdverb - Negative particleH3808 not
onlyלְבַדּ֔וֹlə·ḇad·dōwPreposition-l; Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH905 separation
the kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
butכִּ֤יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
allכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
the princesהַשָּׂרִים֙haś·śā·rîmArticle; Noun - masculine pluralH8269 chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
and the peoplesהָ֣עַמִּ֔יםhā·‘am·mîmArticle; Noun - masculine pluralH5971 people
in allכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
the provincesמְדִינ֖וֹתmə·ḏî·nō·wṯNoun - feminine plural constructH4082 province
of Kingהַמֶּ֥לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
Xerxesאֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ׃’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōšNoun - proper - masculine singularH325 Ahasuerus

Esther 1:17

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Forכִּֽי־kî-ConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
the conductדְבַר־ḏə·ḇar-Noun - masculine singular constructH1697 speech, word
of the queenהַמַּלְכָּה֙ham·mal·kāhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH4436 queen
will become knownיֵצֵ֤אyê·ṣêVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH3318 go or come out
toעַל־‘al-PrepositionH5921 height
allכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
womenהַנָּשִׁ֔יםhan·nā·šîmArticle; Noun - feminine pluralH802 woman, wife, female
causing them to despiseלְהַבְז֥וֹתlə·haḇ·zō·wṯPreposition-l; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive constructH959 despise
their husbandsבַּעְלֵיהֶ֖ןba‘·lê·henNoun - masculine plural construct; third person feminine pluralH1167 owner, lord
and sayבְּאָמְרָ֗םbə·’ā·mə·rāmPreposition-b; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct; third person masculine pluralH559 utter, say
Kingהַמֶּ֣לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
Xerxesאֲחַשְׁוֵר֡וֹשׁ’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōšNoun - proper - masculine singularH325 Ahasuerus
orderedאָמַ֞ר’ā·marVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
Queenהַמַּלְכָּ֛הham·mal·kāhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH4436 queen
Vashtiוַשְׁתִּ֧יwaš·tîNoun - proper - masculine singularH2060 Vashti
to be broughtלְהָבִ֨יאlə·hā·ḇîPreposition-l; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive constructH935 come in, come, go in, go
before himלְפָנָ֖יוlə·p̄ā·nāwPreposition-l; Noun - common plural construct; third person masculine singularH6440 face, before
but she did notוְלֹא־wə·lō-Conjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
comeבָֽאָה׃ḇā·’āhVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go

Esther 1:18

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Thisהַזֶּ֜הhaz·zehArticle; Pronoun - masculine singularH2088 this, that
very dayוְֽהַיּ֨וֹםwə·hay·yō·wmConjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine singularH3117 day
the noble womenשָׂר֣וֹתśā·rō·wṯNoun - feminine plural constructH8282 princess, noble lady
of Persiaפָּֽרַס־pā·ras-Noun - proper - feminine singularH6539 Persia
and Mediaוּמָדַ֗יū·mā·ḏayConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - feminine singularH4074 Medes, Media
whoאֲשֶׁ֤ר’ă·šerPronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
have heardשָֽׁמְעוּ֙šā·mə·‘ūVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralH8085 hear
aboutאֶת־’eṯ-Direct object markerH853 mark of the accusative
the queen’sהַמַּלְכָּ֔הham·mal·kāhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH4436 queen
conductדְּבַ֣רdə·ḇarNoun - masculine singular constructH1697 speech, word
will sayתֹּאמַ֣רְנָה׀tō·mar·nāhVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine pluralH559 utter, say
the same thing to allלְכֹ֖לlə·ḵōlPreposition-l; Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
the king’sהַמֶּ֑לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
officialsשָׂרֵ֣יśā·rêNoun - masculine plural constructH8269 chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
resulting in muchוּכְדַ֖יū·ḵə·ḏayConjunctive waw, Preposition-k; Noun - masculine singular constructH1767 sufficiency, enough
contemptבִּזָּי֥וֹןbiz·zā·yō·wnNoun - masculine singularH963 contempt
and wrathוָקָֽצֶף׃wā·qā·ṣep̄Conjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singularH7110 wrath

Esther 1:19

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
So ifאִם־’im-ConjunctionH518 if
it pleasesט֗וֹבṭō·wḇAdjective - masculine singularH2896 pleasant, agreeable, good
the kingהַמֶּ֣לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
let him issueיֵצֵ֤אyê·ṣêVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH3318 go or come out
a royalמַלְכוּת֙mal·ḵūṯNoun - feminine singularH4438 royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom
decreeדְבַר־ḏə·ḇar-Noun - masculine singular constructH1697 speech, word
and let it be recordedוְיִכָּתֵ֛בwə·yik·kā·ṯêḇConjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singularH3789 write
in the lawsבְּדָתֵ֥יbə·ḏā·ṯêPreposition-b; Noun - feminine plural constructH1881 decree, law, usage
of Persiaפָֽרַס־p̄ā·ras-Noun - proper - feminine singularH6539 Persia
and Mediaוּמָדַ֖יū·mā·ḏayConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - feminine singularH4074 Medes, Media
so that it cannotוְלֹ֣אwə·lōConjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
be repealedיַעֲב֑וֹרya·‘ă·ḇō·wrVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH5674 pass over, through, by, pass on
thatאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šerPronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
Vashtiוַשְׁתִּ֗יwaš·tîNoun - proper - masculine singularH2060 Vashti
shall never againלֹֽא־lō-Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
enterתָב֜וֹאṯā·ḇō·wVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
the presenceלִפְנֵי֙lip̄·nêPreposition-l; Noun - common plural constructH6440 face, before
of Kingהַמֶּ֣לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
Xerxesאֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōšNoun - proper - masculine singularH325 Ahasuerus
and that her royal positionוּמַלְכוּתָהּ֙ū·mal·ḵū·ṯāhConjunctive waw; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person feminine singularH4438 royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom
shall be givenיִתֵּ֣ןyit·tênVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH5414 give, put, set
to a womanלִרְעוּתָ֖הּlir·‘ū·ṯāhPreposition-l; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person feminine singularH7468 fellow (-woman)
betterהַטּוֹבָ֥הhaṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāhArticle; Adjective - feminine singularH2896 pleasant, agreeable, good
than sheמִמֶּֽנָּה׃mim·men·nāhPreposition; third person feminine singularH4480 out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not

Esther 1:20

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
The edictפִּתְגָ֨םpiṯ·ḡāmNoun - masculine singular constructH6599 edict, decree
the kingהַמֶּ֤לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
issuesיַעֲשֶׂה֙ya·‘ă·śehVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH6213 do, make
will be heardוְנִשְׁמַע֩wə·niš·ma‘Conjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH8085 hear
throughoutבְּכָל־bə·ḵālPreposition-b; Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
his vastרַבָּ֖הrab·bāhAdjective - feminine singularH7227 much, many, great
kingdomמַלְכוּת֔וֹmal·ḵū·ṯōwNoun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH4438 royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom
and soכִּ֥יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
allוְכָל־wə·ḵālConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
womenהַנָּשִׁ֗יםhan·nā·šîmArticle; Noun - feminine pluralH802 woman, wife, female
from the leastקָטָֽן׃qā·ṭānAdjective - masculine singularH6996 small, young, unimportant
toוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ-Conjunctive waw; PrepositionH5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
the greatestלְמִגָּד֖וֹלlə·mig·gā·ḏō·wlPreposition-l, Preposition-m; Adjective - masculine singularH1419 great
will honorיִתְּנ֤וּyit·tə·nūVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralH5414 give, put, set
their husbandsלְבַעְלֵיהֶ֔ןlə·ḇa‘·lê·henPreposition-l; Noun - masculine plural construct; third person feminine pluralH1167 owner, lord

Esther 1:21

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
The kingהַמֶּ֖לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
and his princesוְהַשָּׂרִ֑יםwə·haś·śā·rîmConjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine pluralH8269 chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
were pleasedוַיִּיטַב֙way·yî·ṭaḇConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH3190 be good, well, glad, pleasing
with this counselהַדָּבָ֔רhad·dā·ḇārArticle; Noun - masculine singularH1697 speech, word
so the kingהַמֶּ֖לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
didוַיַּ֥עַשׂway·ya·‘aśConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH6213 do, make
as Memucanמְמוּכָֽן׃mə·mū·ḵānNoun - proper - masculine singularH4462 Memucan, Momucan
advisedכִּדְבַ֥רkiḏ·ḇarPreposition-k; Noun - masculine singular constructH1697 speech, word

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

Esther 1:14 2 Kings 25:19 · Ezra 7:14 · Matthew 18:10

Esther 1:16 1 Corinthians 6:7–8

Esther 1:17 Ephesians 5:33

Esther 1:19 1 Samuel 15:28 · Esther 8:8 · Daniel 6:8–15 · Esther 3:9 · Esther 8:5 · Daniel 6:17 · 1 Kings 3:28

Esther 1:20 Colossians 3:18 · Ephesians 5:22 · Ephesians 5:33 · 1 Peter 3:1–7 · Deuteronomy 21:21 · Deuteronomy 17:13

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.