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New Testament
Esther
This historical book is set in the kingdom of Persia in about 480 BC. Esther was one of many Jews living there as exiles. Her husband, the Persian king Ahashverosh or Ahasuerus (now commonly known to English readers as Xerxes, the Greek form of his name), reigned from 486–465 BC and is most remembered for his unsuccessful war against Greece. While God is never mentioned in this book, his presence is evident as we see him working through sinful people and through his providence to guide and direct history in order to protect his people and prevent their destruction. The events of Esther occur between the first and second halves of the book of Ezra.
11These events happened during the time of Xerxes,[] when Xerxes was ruling over one hundred twenty-seven provinces from India to Cush.[] 2King Xerxes was ruling on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel.[]
3In the third year of his reign[] he gave a banquet[] for all his officials and administrators, for the leaders of the army of Persia and Media, and for the nobles and officials of the provinces. 4He displayed the glory and splendor of the riches of his kingdom, the grandeur of his majesty, for many days (one hundred eighty days in all).
5When this was completed, the king gave a banquet for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa, from the most important to the least significant. It lasted for seven days in the courtyard of the garden in the king's palace.
6There were white and blue linen hangings, attached to marble[] pillars with white and purple cords and silver rings.[] There were couches made of gold and silver, standing on a mosaic floor made of purple porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other precious stones. 7Drinks were served in gold goblets. Each goblet was unique. The royal wine was plentiful, in keeping with the king's extravagance. 8No directions were given about the amount each person was to drink because the king had ordered all the waiters to serve the amount each man desired.
9Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the palace of King Xerxes.
10On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Karkas, seven of the eunuchs who served him, 11to bring before him Queen Vashti wearing the crown of the kingdom, in order to show the people and the officials her beauty. She was very good-looking.
12Queen Vashti refused to come in response to the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. The king was infuriated and his anger burned within him.
13So the king spoke to his advisors who understood the times. (It was the king's custom to consult with those who were acquainted with law and legal principles.) 14His close advisors were Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, seven officials of Persia and Media who were allowed to see the king's face and were ranked first in the kingdom.
15He asked, “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti since she did not obey the command of the king delivered by the eunuchs?”
16In the presence of the king and the officials, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has not only committed an offense against the king, but she has also committed an offense against all the officials and all the people in the provinces of King Xerxes, 17because the action of the queen, when it is reported to all the women, will cause them to look upon their husbands with contempt. They will say, ‘King Xerxes said to bring Queen Vashti before him, but she did not come.’ 18Today the noble ladies of Persia and Media, who have heard about the action of the queen, will be talking about it to their husbands, who are the officials of the king. There will be more than enough contempt and anger. 19If the king agrees, he should issue a royal decree. It should be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be changed. Vashti shall not come into the presence of King Xerxes. The king will give her status as queen to a different person, one who is better than she is. 20The decree of the king will be heard throughout all of his vast kingdom. Then all the women will give honor to their husbands, both the most important and the least significant.”
21The advice seemed good to the king and the officials, so the king did as Memucan had said. 22He sent letters to all the provinces of the kingdom—to each province in its own writing system and to each people in its own language. The letters stated that each man should be lord in his own house. The letters were addressed to every man in his own language.[]
Footnotes
- 1:1 Also known as Ahasuerus
- 1:1 Cush was located in the present-day country of Sudan, south of Egypt.
- 1:2 Or fortress. The term designates cities as royal cities of the Persian Empire, but at times it refers only to the palace complex of such a city.
- 1:3 That is, 483 BC
- 1:3 The word translated banquet refers more to drinking than to eating.
- 1:6 Or alabaster
- 1:6 Or rods
- 1:22 Or the letters stated that he should be lord in his own house, speaking the language of his own people. This sentence is not in the Greek Old Testament.