Esther 1:13 - Forerunner Commentary

Esther 1:13

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 ^awise men ^bwho 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 ^aseven princes of Persia and Media, ^bwho had access to the king’s presence, and who¹ 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 ^adespise 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 royal¹ decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will ^anot 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 ^ahonor 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.

Verse Comparison: Esther 1:13

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American Standard Version
Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment;

Amplified® Bible
Then the king spoke to the wise men who knew the times--for this was the king's procedure toward all who were familiar with law and judgment--

Contemporary English Version
The king called in the seven highest officials of Persia and Media. They were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were very wise and understood all the laws and customs of the country, and the king always asked them what they thought about such matters.

Darby English Version
And the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for so was the king's business [conducted] before all that knew law and judgment;

Good News Bible
Now it was the king's custom to ask for expert opinion on questions of law and order, so he called for his advisers, who would know what should be done.

King James Version
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:

New American Standard Bible
Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times--for it was the custom of the king so {to speak} before all who knew law and justice

New International Version
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

New King James Version
Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice,

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times--for it was the custom of the king so to speak before all who knew law and justice

Revised Standard Version
Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times--for this was the king's procedure toward all who were versed in law and judgment,

Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith to wise men, knowing the times -- for so `is' the word of the king before all knowing law and judgment,

New English Translation
The king then inquired of the wise men who were discerners of the times – for it was the royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities.¹

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