Keraia
Esther 1

Esther 1:17

Queen Vashti Deposed · Esther 1:13–22
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Translations

Modern
For the conduct of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’
Traditional
For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
Literal
For the matter of the queen will go forth upon all the women, to despise their husbands in their eyes, when they say, ‘King Ahasuerus said to bring Vashti the queen before his face, and she did not come.’
Latin
Egredietur enim sermo reginæ ad omnes mulieres, ut contemnant viros suos, et dicant: Rex Assuerus jussit ut regina Vasthi intraret ad eum, et illa noluit.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the conduct of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’

Notes

Esther 1:17

all women, causing them to despise their husbands: The council's decision was driven by fear of consequences, not by facts or law.

Esther 1:16–18

Queen Vashti has wronged: The adviser Memucan did not use Persian law to guide the king's decision. His hasty advice made Vashti's action seem like a possible crime for all women.

Theme notes and profiles

Xerxes I Ancient Law Codes

People

Ahasuerus: Persian Emperor (probably Xerxes I); husband of Esther Vashti: Queen of Persia, deposed by King Ahasuerus (Xerxes)

Glossary

Book of Esther Memucan Vashti

Topics

Babylon: Empire of a Limited Monarchy 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 Memucan: One of the Seven Princes of Ahasuerus Who Counsels the King to Divorce Queen 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