Esther 1:12

Queen Vashti’s Refusal · Esther 1:9–12
Read Esther 1

Translations

Modern
Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him.
Traditional
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
Literal
And Queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king that was by the hand of the eunuchs. And the king was very angry, and his rage burned within him.
Latin
Quæ renuit, et ad regis imperium quod per eunuchos mandaverat, venire contempsit. Unde iratus rex, et nimio furore succensus,

Original

Hebrew
English
Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him.

Notes

  • refused to come: The queen's refusal is not explained. Perhaps she feared the king, who was drunk, might humiliate her.

  • the king became furious: His anger likely increased because he was drunk and felt embarrassed in front of his friends.

Theme notes and profiles

Esther Xerxes I

People

Vashti: Queen of Persia, deposed by King Ahasuerus (Xerxes)

Glossary

Book of Esther Chamberlain Esther (Person) Vashti

Topics

Anger: Ahasuerus, Toward Vashti, for Refusing to Amuse his Courtiers Chamberlain: An officer of a King Divorce: Disobedience of the Wife to the Husband, a Sufficient Cause For, in the Persian Empire Family: Infelicity in Ahasuerus, on Account of Vashti's Refusing to Appear Before his Drunken Courtiers Family: Persian, Domestic Customs Husband: Unreasonable and Oppressive: Ahasuerus Modesty: Vashti Persia: Vashti Was Divorced for Refusing to Appear Before the King's Courtiers Queen: Divorced Vashti: Put Away (Divorced) for Refusing to Exhibit Herself at a Royal Banquet Wife: Incorruptible, Vashti Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Vashti