Translations
Modern
By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired.
Traditional
And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.
Literal
And the drinking was according to the law—there is no compulsion—for so the king had established upon every overseer of his house, to do according to the pleasure of man by man.
Latin
Nec erat qui nolentes cogeret ad bibendum, sed sicut rex statuerat, præponens mensis singulos de principibus suis ut sumeret unusquisque quod vellet.
Original
Hebrew
English
By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired.
Notes
no limit was placed on the drinking: Often, guests would drink only when the Persian king offered a toast (see Xenophon, Cyropaedia 8.8.18). At this banquet, people could drink freely.
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Topics
Entertainments: Men and Women did not Usually Meet At Entertainments: None Asked to Eat or Drink More than he Liked At Feasts: Ancient Customs At: Men Alone Present At Feasts: Given by Kings Medo-Persian Kingdom: Peculiar Customs In Temperance: General Scriptures Concerning Total Abstinence: from Intoxicating Beverages Wine: Abstinence from of the Courtiers of Ahasuerus