Esther 1 10

Esther 1:10 kjv

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,

Esther 1:10 nkjv

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

Esther 1:10 niv

On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him?Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas?

Esther 1:10 esv

On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus,

Esther 1:10 nlt

On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine, he told the seven eunuchs who attended him ? Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas ?

Esther 1 verses

Esther 1 10 Meaning

Esther 1:10 describes a pivotal moment during a lavish feast hosted by King Ahasuerus. On the seventh and final day of this extravagant event, the king, whose heart was "merry with wine" (implying intoxication and impaired judgment), issued a command. He ordered seven named eunuchs—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas—who served in his immediate presence, to bring Queen Vashti before him. The explicit purpose of this command was for the king to display her beauty, adorned with her royal crown, to all the assembled peoples and princes, as "she was lovely to behold." This incident marks the immediate precursor to Queen Vashti's downfall and replacement.

Esther 1 10 Context

Esther chapter 1 sets the scene in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus (commonly identified as Xerxes I, who ruled from 486–465 BC). The verse is nestled within the description of an extraordinary feast. The king had already hosted a six-month display of his vast wealth and power to his nobles and officials. This was followed by a seven-day banquet for all the inhabitants of Susa, from the greatest to the least, held in the palace garden. During this final week of unrestrained luxury and revelry, Queen Vashti also held a separate feast for the women. The culture depicted is one of absolute monarchy, where the king's word was supreme law. Wine played a central role in these lavish banquets, often leading to uninhibited behavior and impulsive decisions. This verse immediately precedes Vashti's famous refusal, which precipitates the search for a new queen and ultimately leads to Esther's elevation. The entire episode, seemingly a minor domestic squabble in a pagan court, becomes a crucial step in God's sovereign plan for the deliverance of His people.

Esther 1 10 Word analysis

• On the seventh day: This signifies the climax and end of the specified feast for all people in Susa. In biblical literature, "seven" often represents completion or perfection. Here, it marks the peak of human excess and the moment when the king's altered state of mind reaches its critical point for decision-making.
• when the heart of the king was merry with wine:
  • heart (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" encompasses intellect, will, and emotion, not just feelings.
  • merry (טוֹב, tov): Literally "good," or "pleasing." Here, it describes the state of well-being induced by wine, but critically implies an impaired judgment rather than virtuous happiness.
  • wine (יַיִן, yayin): Refers to fermented grape juice. Its consistent biblical depiction highlights both its capacity to bring joy and its dangerous potential for leading to foolishness, recklessness, and immorality, as seen here with King Ahasuerus. The king is intoxicated, reducing his inhibitions and distorting his judgment.
• he commanded: Highlights the king's absolute authority. A command, not a request or invitation, underscoring the king's expectation of immediate and unquestioning obedience, typical of Achaemenid Persian monarchs.
• Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs:
  • Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas: These are all Persian names, confirming their origin from within the king's vast empire rather than from Israel. The detailed naming lends credibility and authenticity to the narrative, emphasizing specific individuals who executed the king's will.
  • seven (שֶׁבַע, shevaʿ): The repeated numerical motif of "seven" (seventh day, seven eunuchs, later seven princes) signifies completeness or importance within the literary structure of Esther, drawing attention to these key elements.
  • eunuchs (סָרִיס, saris): In ancient Near Eastern courts, eunuchs were trusted servants who often held significant administrative and security positions, particularly guarding royal harems, as their lack of reproductive capacity was thought to ensure loyalty and safety for the royal family. They were distinct officials, often enjoying positions of close confidence and power in the presence of the king.
• who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus: This phrase indicates their close proximity and personal attendance upon the king, highlighting their trusted status and ability to carry out intimate royal decrees.
• to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown:
  • to bring Queen Vashti: A direct, humiliating order to parade his wife, reducing her to an object of display.
  • with her royal crown: The crown symbolizes her status and royalty. The instruction implies that she should appear fully adorned in her queenly dignity, only to be presented as a spectacle, a contrast between external grandeur and the indignity of the situation.
• in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty:
  • to show: The verb explicitly states the king's intent: to exhibit Vashti, as if she were a possession. This action objectifies her.
  • the peoples and the princes: Refers to the diverse high-ranking officials and representatives of the many provinces, as well as the multitude gathered in Susa for the feast. The King's audience is broad and important, demonstrating his desire for wide-scale boasting.
• for she was lovely to behold:
  • lovely to behold (טוֹבַת מַרְאֶה, tovath mareh): Literally "good of appearance." This confirms the basis of the king's desire: Vashti's physical attractiveness. This descriptive phrase provides the rationale for the king's demand from his perspective, even though it ultimately leads to conflict.

Esther 1 10 Bonus section

• The seven named eunuchs serve not only as conveyors of the king's command but also as formal witnesses to the events about to unfold. Their number and individual naming lend a degree of official, bureaucratic reality to the narrative.
• The emphasis on the king being "merry with wine" is crucial, explaining his uninhibited and imprudent behavior. In many biblical wisdom texts, wine is seen as a mocker (Prov 20:1) that leads to disgrace for rulers and individuals alike. This state is in direct contrast to sober, wise judgment.
• The demand for Queen Vashti to appear "with her royal crown" might have intended to signify her legitimate queenly status and add to the grandeur of the king's display, rather than implying any level of humiliation from the king's perspective. However, it still objectified her as a "showpiece" rather than honoring her as an equal.
• This incident is subtly polemical. It highlights the depravity and the potentially abusive nature of the powerful pagan Persian court, especially when compared to the principles of respectful treatment of women and the avoidance of drunkenness found within the Law and the Prophets (e.g., in Israel, even a king's personal life had divine parameters). Vashti's refusal in the following verse, while not detailed here, implies a moral boundary not expected of an imperial subject, further highlighting the cultural clash.
• The meticulous listing of names (the seven eunuchs, the seven princes later) contributes to the narrative's historical verisimilitude, immersing the reader in the Persian court's structured bureaucracy and customs, despite its underlying spiritual significance.

Esther 1 10 Commentary

Esther 1:10 portrays a dramatic turning point instigated by the debauched environment of the Persian court. King Ahasuerus's decision to parade Queen Vashti before his inebriated guests epitomizes the unchecked power, self-indulgence, and objectification prevalent in that culture. The king, impaired by wine, prioritizes his own boastful pride over his queen's dignity and modesty. His command to the trusted eunuchs demonstrates the absolute nature of his authority, where personal whim becomes law. The details, such as the specific day, the named eunuchs, and Vashti's crown, enhance the realism of the scene. This impulsive, wine-fueled decree is not just a royal folly; it is the catalyst God uses, working through the king's hubris and Vashti's eventual refusal, to create the necessary circumstances for Esther's rise, ultimately leading to the salvation of the Jewish people. It illustrates that even the seemingly chaotic and sinful actions of humans can be orchestrated by divine providence for a greater purpose, often through moments of human pride leading to unexpected consequences.