Esther 1 20

Esther 1:20 kjv

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.

Esther 1:20 nkjv

When the king's decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small."

Esther 1:20 niv

Then when the king's edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest."

Esther 1:20 esv

So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, for it is vast, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike."

Esther 1:20 nlt

When this decree is published throughout the king's vast empire, husbands everywhere, whatever their rank, will receive proper respect from their wives!"

Esther 1 verses

Esther 1 20 Meaning

Esther 1:20 declares that when the royal decree, issued by King Ahasuerus, is proclaimed throughout his vast empire, all wives will grant honor and respect to their husbands, from the highest-ranking officials' wives to the lowliest peasant's wife. This decree aims to establish a universal standard of marital hierarchy and respect, stemming from the king's perceived affront by Queen Vashti's disobedience. It reflects an attempt to enforce submission by external royal authority rather than cultivating internal virtue or genuine relationship.

Esther 1 20 Context

Esther 1:20 follows a chaotic royal banquet where King Ahasuerus, in his drunken state, commands Queen Vashti to appear before his male guests, a highly unusual and disrespectful request for a queen. When Vashti refuses, fearing public dishonor and perhaps maintaining her own dignity, the king becomes enraged. His wise men, especially Memucan, then advise him that Vashti's disobedience could set a dangerous precedent, causing all women in the kingdom to disrespect their husbands. Thus, verse 20 outlines the proposed "solution": a far-reaching edict designed not only to punish Vashti (already implicitly done through her deposition) but primarily to reinforce male authority and restore the king's tarnished reputation throughout his vast empire. The chapter overall portrays the extravagance, self-indulgence, and insecure male authority of the Persian court, leading to arbitrary decisions driven by pride and the counsel of those seeking to flatter the king or secure their own position.

Esther 1 20 Word analysis

• Then: Signifies a logical consequence or a sequential action arising from the previous advice given to the king.
• when the king’s edict: The Hebrew word for edict here is דָּבָר (davar), meaning "word, matter, thing, command, decree." In this context, it emphasizes the king's utterance as having absolute legislative force, indicative of the power wielded by Ahasuerus. It’s not just a suggestion but a binding command.
• which he will issue: This highlights the king's executive power and the imminence of the decree's formal proclamation.
• is proclaimed: Refers to the public dissemination of the decree, making it universally known and legally binding. Royal decrees in Persia were written and dispatched throughout the empire.
• throughout all his immense kingdom: The Persian Empire was vast, as indicated by Esther 1:1, covering 127 provinces "from India to Ethiopia." This phrase emphasizes the unparalleled scope and reach of the king's authority, implying that no corner of the empire would be exempt from this decree. The phrase for "immense" (עָצוּם, 'atzum) means strong, mighty, powerful, reflecting the sheer might of Ahasuerus's dominion.
• all the women: Refers to every female subject across the vast empire, reinforcing the universal target of the decree without exception.
• will respect: The Hebrew phrase is תִּתֵּן יְקָר לְבַעְלָהּ (titen yekar l'va'lah), literally "will give honor to her husband." The word יְקָר (yekar) signifies "honor, preciousness, dignity, value." It denotes outward acknowledgment of worth and authority, reflecting deference and high regard. This implies more than mere obedience; it demands a demonstration of esteem.
• their husbands: This highlights the specific recipients of the mandated respect, explicitly reinforcing the patriarchal structure of society as envisioned by Memucan and enacted by the king.
• from the least to the greatest: (גָּדוֹל וְעַד קָטָן, gadol v'ad qatan) This is a common biblical idiom for universality, meaning "without exception" or "everyone." It stresses that the decree would apply indiscriminately to all women, from the wives of powerful noblemen (greatest) to those of the humblest citizens (least), emphasizing comprehensive societal compliance. This hyperbole underscores the king's absolute claim over the domestic lives of his subjects and reflects a desire for absolute control.

Esther 1 20 Bonus section

The issuance of this decree exemplifies the limits of human authority and the misplaced confidence in external power to regulate internal virtues. The "logic" presented by Memucan suggests that if wives lose respect for their husbands, it will lead to "contempt and wrath" across the land, affecting all strata of society. This hyperbolic concern demonstrates the court's deep-seated anxiety over social order, even when stemming from trivial matters of kingly pride. The Persian practice of issuing irrevocable laws, as seen later in Daniel regarding Darius's decree (Dan 6:8), further solidifies the perceived permanence and unchangeable nature of this edict. The entire episode serves as an ironic prelude to Esther's story, as it is precisely this decree that sets the stage for a new queen, who, though seemingly compliant, ultimately uses her influence not for male authority, but for the salvation of her people, challenging the king's assumed absolute control in a much profounder way. This law's ultimate failure to guarantee respectful wives, or a stable home, foreshadows its failure to dictate the unfolding of God's sovereign plan for His people.

Esther 1 20 Commentary

Esther 1:20 unveils a crucial, yet deeply flawed, legislative act in the Persian Empire. Following Vashti's defiance, this verse describes a decree conceived out of fear, pride, and the insecurity of a male-dominated power structure, rather than genuine wisdom. The counsel aims to restore order by fiat, presuming that outward enforcement can cultivate internal respect. However, genuine honor and love within a relationship cannot be legislated or compelled by a royal edict; they must stem from internal disposition and mutual regard. The verse underscores the futility and superficiality of forced obedience. While seemingly re-establishing hierarchical order, the measure itself reveals the king's inability to govern his own household, projecting this insecurity onto the entire empire. This royal decree attempts to control hearts through coercion, highlighting a stark contrast with the Spirit-empowered principles of submission, love, and honor found in true biblical relationships (Eph 5:21-33). The sheer scale—enforcing respect "from the least to the greatest" across "all his immense kingdom"—also highlights the absurdity of such a decree. It's an attempt to manage human behavior by mere decree rather than by cultivating true character.