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Esther, 1

1. Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this [is] Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, [over] an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

1. In the days of Ahasuerus - the Aha- -suerus whose empire stretched from India to Ethiopia and comprised one hundred twenty-seven provinces -

2. [That] in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which [was] in Shushan the palace,

2. when he occupied the royal throne in the citadel of Susa,

3. In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him:

3. in the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his officers and ministers, the Persian and Median aristocracy, chiefs of the army, the nobles and the governors of the provinces.

4. When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, [even] an hundred and fourscore days.

4. For a hundred and eighty days, he displayed the riches and splendor of his empire and the wealth and pomp of his royal estate.

5. And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;

5. At the close of this period, the king gave a banquet lasting seven days at the palace garden for all the people, great and lowly, living in Susa.

6. [Where were] white, green, and blue, [hangings], fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds [were of] gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

6. There were white cotton curtains and blue hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings on marble pillars. On a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and colored stones were gold and silver couches.

7. And they gave [them] drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.

7. Drinks were served in a variety of golden goblets, and the royal wine flowed freely, in keeping with the king's generosity.

8. 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.

8. By the king's order, each guest was allowed to drink as he pleased; all the stewards had been instructed to serve each guest according to his own wishes.

9. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women [in] the royal house which [belonged] to king Ahasuerus.

9. Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus.

10. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

10. Merry with wine on the seventh day, the king ordered the seven eunuchs who served him as chamberlains - Mahuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas -

11. To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she [was] fair to look on.

11. to bring into his presence Queen Vashti with her royal crown, for she was very lovely and he wished to display her beauty to the people and nobles.

12. 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.

12. Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the order of the king transmitted by the eunuchs; the king was very displeased and burned with rage.

13. 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:

13. As was his procedure, the king consulted experts in law and justice.

14. And the next unto him [was] Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, [and] Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, [and] which sat the first in the kingdom;)

14. He summoned the seven nobles of Persia and Media who were in his personal service and held first rank in the kingdom - Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan.

15. What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

15. He asked them, "According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti for disobeying the king's order issued through the eunuchs?"

16. And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that [are] in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

16. In the presence of the king and nobles, Memucan replied, "It is not the king alone that Queen Vashti has wronged but all the nobles and the whole populace in the provinces of King Ahasuerus.

17. 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.

17. All the women will soon know what she did, and so they will despise their husbands and say: 'King Ahasuerus ordered his wife to be brought before him but she refused.'

18. [Likewise] shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus [shall there arise] too much contempt and wrath.

18. When the Persian and Median ladies hear of that, they will treat the royal officials in the same manner. So there will be no end to this kind of disrespect.

19. If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

19. If it pleases the king, therefore, let an irrevocable royal decree be issued and included among the laws of Persia and Media, that Vashti is never again to come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and that the king is authorized to give her royal position to someone else more worthy than she.

20. And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.

20. When this decree of the king is proclaimed throughout his vast kingdom, all wives will honor their husbands, from the least to the greatest."

21. And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

21. This proposal pleased the king and his officials; so the king acted on Memucan's advice.

22. For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that [it] should be published according to the language of every people.

22. He sent letters to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, declaring that every husband should be master in his own household.



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Fusnote:

1:1-3 - The setting of King Ahasuerus's banquet highlights the opulence and power of the Persian Empire. The king's extravagance reflects the culture of luxury and ostentation, emphasizing the contrast between earthly wealth and true spiritual riches (see also Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 and 1 Timothy 6:17).

1:4-8 - The 180-day celebration of the banquet symbolizes the attempt to impress neighboring nobles and kingdoms. This event shows how the quest for human approval can lead to extravagant and foolish behavior (see also Proverbs 23:1-3 and Luke 12:15).

1:9-12 - Queen Vashti's refusal to appear before the king reveals issues of dignity and respect. Vashti's refusal to submit to the king's whims is an example of resistance to the abuse of power (see also 1 Peter 3:1-6 and Galatians 5:1).

1:13-20 - King Ahasuerus's reaction to Vashti's disobedience highlights the vulnerability of absolute power. His search for counselors to resolve the situation shows how the king's control is illusory and subject to the influence of others (see also Proverbs 15:22 and James 1:19-20).

1:21-22 - The king's command that all women honor their husbands reflects the power dynamics in family relationships at the time. This statement demonstrates the attempt to maintain order through fear and legislation (see also Ephesians 5:22-24 and 1 Peter 3:7).

Stihovi vezani uz Esther, 1:

Esther chapter 1 introduces the context of the Persian empire. How does this crucial narrative begin? The text describes King Ahasuerus's sumptuous banquet, Queen Vashti's refusal to attend, and her subsequent deposition. This chapter sets the scene for the dramatic events that will follow, exploring themes of power, obedience, and the complexities of life at the Persian court. Esther 1 lays the foundation for the protagonist's rise and the central conflict of the book. Consider with us five biblical passages that illuminate the introductory themes of this fundamental chapter.

Proverbs 20:1: "Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a riot; Anyone who is defeated by them is not wise." - This proverb reflects on the dangers of excess alcohol, relating to King Ahasuerus' banquet in Esther 1.

1 Peter 3:1: "In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that if any of them do not obey the word, they may be won without words by the behavior of their wives." - This verse contrasts with Queen Vashti's attitude in Esther 1, offering a different perspective on marital submission.

Proverbs 31:30: "Beauty is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but the woman who fears the Lord will be praised." - This proverb offers insight into true feminine virtue, contrasting with the emphasis on physical beauty seen in Esther 1.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-2: "I thought to myself, 'Come on, now I'm going to experience joy. Discover the pleasure!' But this too proved futile. I concluded that laughter is madness, and that joy leads to nothing." - These verses reflect on the futility of worldly pleasures, relating to the excesses of Ahasuerus' banquet in Esther 1.

Romans 13:1: "Everyone must submit to government authorities, as there is no authority that does not come from God; the authorities that exist were established by him." - This verse offers perspective on governmental authority, relating to King Ahasuerus' decree in Esther 1.

FAQ:

What happened at King Ahasuerus's feast?

King Ahasuerus held a great feast for his subjects, and during it, he asked his wife, Queen Vashti, to perform. She refused, leading to her deposition. (Esther 1:10-22)

Why was Queen Vashti deposed?

Vashti was deposed for disobeying King Ahasuerus's order to perform at the festival, defying his authority and the behavior expected of a queen. (Esther 1:12-19)

What did the king do after deposing Queen Vashti?

After deposing Vashti, King Ahasuerus sought a new wife and held a contest to choose a new queen from among the young women of the kingdom. (Esther 1:19-22)

How does Esther chapter 1 reflect Persian culture?

Chapter 1 reflects Persian culture by describing the grandeur of royal feasts, the absolute power of the king, and the submissiveness of women, who were expected to obey their husbands. (Esther 1:1-22)

What is the importance of Ahasuerus' banquet?

Ahasuerus's banquet is important because it marks the king's opportunity to demonstrate his power, the position of women in Persian society, and the beginning of the plot that would lead to Esther's selection as queen. (Esther 1:3-9)


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