Esther 1:15 kjv
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?
Esther 1:15 nkjv
"What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?"
Esther 1:15 niv
"According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?" he asked. "She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her."
Esther 1:15 esv
"According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti, because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?"
Esther 1:15 nlt
"What must be done to Queen Vashti?" the king demanded. "What penalty does the law provide for a queen who refuses to obey the king's orders, properly sent through his eunuchs?"
Esther 1 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers..." | Divine mandate for civil submission. |
| Tit 3:1 | "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers..." | Christians should obey authorities. |
| 1 Pet 2:13 | "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake..." | Submission to human authority for God's glory. |
| Ecc 8:4 | "Where the word of a king is, there is power..." | Emphasizes king's supreme authority. |
| Dan 6:8 | "Now, O king, establish the decree... that it be not changed..." | Highlights immutable Persian laws. |
| Deut 17:10-11 | "Thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee..." | Upholding the law and its interpretations. |
| Prov 28:4 | "They that forsake the law praise the wicked..." | Importance of upholding legal principles. |
| Num 15:30-31 | "But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously... that soul shall be cut off..." | Severe consequences for defiant disobedience. |
| 1 Sam 15:23 | "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity..." | God's view on rebellion against authority. |
| Prov 13:13 | "Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed..." | Warnings against despising commands. |
| Isa 1:20 | "But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword..." | Dire outcome for refusal and rebellion. |
| Gal 6:7 | "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." | Principle of sowing and reaping consequences. |
| Prov 1:31 | "Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way..." | Natural consequences of one's actions. |
| Prov 11:14 | "Where no counsel is, the people fall..." | Wisdom of seeking multiple advisers. |
| Prov 15:22 | "Without counsel purposes are disappointed..." | Counsel is crucial for successful plans. |
| Prov 24:6 | "For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war..." | Strategic decisions need wise counsel. |
| Esth 1:19 | "If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment..." | Outcome of the counsel: a new decree. |
| Esth 1:22 | "For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces..." | Implementation of the resulting decree. |
| Judg 17:6 | "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." | Contrast of chaos without central authority/law. |
| Josh 1:18 | "Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment... he shall be put to death." | Strictness regarding command obedience. |
| Isa 46:10 | "Declaring the end from the beginning... My counsel shall stand..." | God's sovereignty over all human affairs. |
| Prov 16:33 | "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." | God's ultimate control even in human choices. |
| Eph 5:22-24 | "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands..." | General New Testament instruction on marital order (background to Memucan's fear). |
Esther 1 verses
Esther 1 15 Meaning
Esther 1:15 poses the urgent legal question concerning Queen Vashti's disobedience. The King's counselors inquire about the proper course of action under Persian law, following her blatant refusal to obey King Ahasuerus's explicit command delivered through his trusted eunuchs. This inquiry highlights the paramount importance of the king's authority, the strict legal framework of the Persian Empire, and the immediate perceived threat Vashti's public insubordination posed to social order and imperial decree.
Esther 1 15 Context
Esther 1:15 occurs at a pivotal moment in the narrative following King Ahasuerus's grand feast and Queen Vashti's subsequent public refusal to appear before him as commanded. The preceding verses describe the king's extensive feast for all his provinces, culminating in his drunken display of Vashti's beauty. Vashti's defiance ignites the king's fury, leading him to consult his wise men who understood "law and judgment." This verse marks the precise legal question they pose to the king, highlighting the severity of the Queen's act and the legalistic, absolute nature of Persian imperial rule where the king's word was law and his authority unquestionable.
Esther 1 15 Word analysis
- What shall we do: (מַה־נַּעֲשׂוֹא - mah na'asoh) - This interrogative phrase implies seeking legal, procedural guidance, not just a casual decision. It reflects a need for due process according to their legal system, showcasing a concern for legal precedent and its implications. It suggests a collaborative effort among the wise men, recognizing the gravity of the situation beyond a mere personal slight to the king.
- unto Queen Vashti: (לַמַּלְכָּה וַשְׁתִּי - la'malkah Vashti) - Emphasizes her high status, yet underscores that even the highest in the land are subject to the king's decree. The title "Queen" highlights the public nature of her transgression, increasing its perceived threat to societal order.
- according to law: (כַּדָּת - kaddat) - The word dat (דת) in Persian context specifically refers to an established royal decree, law, or ordinance. This is critical. It signifies that the advisers sought a ruling based on codified law or prevailing legal custom, rather than arbitrary judgment, though the "law" was heavily influenced by the king's will. It underlines the importance of maintaining the legal structure for stability in the vast empire.
- because she hath not performed: (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־עָשְׂתָה - asher lo-aseta) - Lit. "that which she has not done." This emphasizes an active act of non-compliance, a clear violation by omission. The directness points to a perceived rebellion against established authority, which had wide implications.
- the commandment: (מַאֲמַר - ma'amar) - A formal utterance, decree, or command, from the root amar (אָמַר) meaning "to say, speak, command." This distinguishes it from a mere request. It signifies a legally binding order emanating directly from the sovereign, implying ultimate authority.
- of the King Ahasuerus: (הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ - hammelek Achashverosh) - Reinforces the source of the command, establishing its supreme authority and identifying the person whose dignity and authority were publicly challenged. It grounds the query in the established monarchical structure.
- by the chamberlains: (בְּיַד הַסָּרִיסִים - biyad hasarisiym) - Lit. "by the hand of the eunuchs." The sarisim (eunuchs) were powerful, high-ranking officials responsible for the king's private and public affairs. Their presence signifies that the command was delivered officially, with all due royal authority, making Vashti's refusal even more scandalous and inexcusable from the perspective of imperial law.
Esther 1 15 Bonus section
The concept of dat (law/decree) is central to the book of Esther, appearing over twenty times. It's often associated with Persian authority and immutability (Esth 1:19, 8:8), providing a stark backdrop against which God's unseen hand subtly operates to fulfill His purposes for His people. Though Vashti's story may appear as a secular account of royal intrigue, it showcases God's sovereign disposal of events to orchestrate Esther's ascension. The immediate legal concern of the counselors was not merely about Vashti but about maintaining hierarchical order among women throughout the empire, demonstrating a deeper societal fear that defiance would spread. This focus shifts from the queen to all women, revealing the patriarchal structure of the ancient world that underpinned the royal court's concerns.
Esther 1 15 Commentary
Esther 1:15 is a pivotal legal inquiry that underscores the foundational principles of the Persian Empire's governance: the absolute and unchallengeable authority of the king, and the strict adherence to established law, whether custom or decree. Vashti's refusal, transmitted by high-ranking eunuchs, was not merely a personal slight but a public affront to the entire imperial system. The counselors' question "What shall we do... according to law?" reflects their immediate concern with maintaining legal precedent and preventing a dangerous erosion of royal authority across the vast kingdom. This sets in motion the legal process that will remove Vashti, open the door for Esther, and demonstrate the far-reaching consequences of disobedience in a despotic state where order and command were paramount. The emphasis on "law" here suggests a mechanism for legitimate action and stability, even if it could be influenced by a king's arbitrary will.