Esther 1:21 kjv
And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
Esther 1:21 nkjv
And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan.
Esther 1:21 niv
The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed.
Esther 1:21 esv
This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did as Memucan proposed.
Esther 1:21 nlt
The king and his nobles thought this made good sense, so he followed Memucan's counsel.
Esther 1 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. | Divine sovereignty over rulers' decisions. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. | Importance of counsel for rulers. |
| Prov 15:22 | Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. | Plans established through wise counsel. |
| Prov 24:6 | For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. | Counsel is essential for stability. |
| Esth 3:8 | And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom... | Echoes the king's receptiveness to evil counsel. |
| Dan 6:8 | Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. | Laws of the Medes and Persians are irreversible. |
| Dan 6:12-15 | Then they came near... Is not the decree... So the king said, The thing is true... then the king... was displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel... | Illustrates a king bound by his own law. |
| Ezra 7:26 | And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him... | Swift execution of royal decrees. |
| 1 Pet 2:13 | Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; | Submitting to governing authorities. |
| Rom 13:1-2 | Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers... Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God... | God-ordained authority structure. |
| Titus 3:1 | Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, | Obeying civil authorities. |
| Deut 17:18-20 | And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law... | Contrast with a king ruled by God's law. |
| Ps 76:10 | Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. | God uses human actions, even sinful ones. |
| Isa 46:10 | Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: | God's counsel and purpose always prevail. |
| Phil 2:3 | Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. | Contrast with the self-exalting nature of Memucan's advice. |
| Eph 5:22-24 | Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church... | Biblical view of submission, distinct from Persian decree. |
| Col 3:18 | Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. | New Testament guidance on wifely submission (in context). |
| Gen 50:20 | But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. | God uses human evil for good, as with Vashti's removal. |
| Eccl 8:4 | Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? | Acknowledges the absolute power of a king's word. |
| Gen 3:16 | Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception... and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. | Initial curse highlighting a skewed view of headship. |
| Prov 16:9 | A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. | God's overarching direction of human choices. |
| Neh 2:1-6 | And it came to pass... the king said unto me... I gave him a time. | King Artaxerxes shows willingness to listen to petitions. |
| Dan 2:48-49 | Then the king made Daniel a great man... the king gave him many great gifts... and made him ruler... at the request of Daniel... | Kings honoring wise counselors, contrast with fearful counsel. |
Esther 1 verses
Esther 1 21 Meaning
Esther 1:21 states that Memucan's counsel concerning Queen Vashti "pleased the king and the princes," leading to the king's immediate execution of the decree as proposed by Memucan. This verse is pivotal as it formally solidifies the judgment against Vashti and initiates the widespread decree concerning women's submission, thus setting the stage for subsequent events in the book, including Esther's rise to queenship.
Esther 1 21 Context
Esther 1:21 occurs after Queen Vashti's defiance of King Ahasuerus's summons during a lavish seven-day feast. The king, angered and consulting his seven wise princes who knew "the law and judgment," was advised by Memucan. Memucan proposed a radical solution: remove Vashti from her royal position and issue a decree throughout the vast Persian Empire that "every man should bear rule in his own house." This specific verse signifies the approval and immediate implementation of this proposed decree. It demonstrates the absolute power of the Persian monarchy and its council, setting a legal precedent based on a perceived affront to royal authority and male household rule. The wider historical context is the Persian Empire (Achaemenid period, 483 BC), known for its vastness, diverse cultures, and a legal system considered immutable once enacted. This verse also reflects the patriarchal society of the time.
Esther 1 21 Word analysis
- And the saying: This refers to the proposition or advice given by Memucan in Esther 1:16-20. The Hebrew word is davar (דָּבָר), which means word, matter, thing, or business. It is not just a verbal utterance but a substantial and weighty matter or decree, encompassing the full argument and proposed solution.
- Pleased: The Hebrew word used here is yatav (יָטַב), meaning to be good, to be right, to be pleasing, or agreeable. This indicates that Memucan's counsel resonated positively with the king and his officials. It implies satisfaction and acceptance, suggesting the proposal aligned with their sense of order, male supremacy, or political expediency.
- The king: King Ahasuerus, the absolute ruler of the vast Persian Empire, whose word held ultimate authority. Yet, here he is seen influenced and guided by his advisors.
- And the princes: The "seven princes of Persia and Media" mentioned in Esther 1:14. Their consensus and agreement are crucial, as they serve as the king's counselors and a validating body for royal decrees. The Hebrew term is sarim (שָׂרִים), denoting high-ranking officials or nobles. Their approval adds weight and legitimacy to the decision, ensuring broader acceptance across the empire.
- And the king did according to: This phrase signifies immediate and direct action. The king implemented the counsel without delay or modification. It highlights the monarch's supreme authority to enact laws instantly. This speed demonstrates the gravity with which Vashti's perceived transgression was viewed and the desire for swift enforcement.
- The word of Memucan: Specifies the exact source of the approved counsel. Memucan, though only one of the seven princes, put forth a persuasive and comprehensive argument that successfully convinced the entire council and the king. This highlights Memucan's influence and persuasive power in a crucial moment for the kingdom's governance and for the subsequent unfolding of divine providence.
Words-group analysis
- "And the saying pleased the king and the princes": This phrase highlights a moment of consensus and shared belief among the highest authorities in the empire. It suggests that Memucan's proposal struck a chord with the anxieties or perceived needs of the patriarchal system, addressing not just a royal problem but a widespread societal concern about male authority within the home. The approval by both the monarch and his council ensured the legitimacy and enforceability of the decree.
- "and the king did according to the word of Memucan": This part emphasizes the direct and unhesitating implementation of the advised action. It shows the executive power of the monarch—once convinced, the decree becomes immediate law. This is a crucial administrative action that formally closes the Vashti episode and opens the way for a new queen, ultimately revealing God's hand in placing Esther for His purposes, despite the worldly nature of the decree.
Esther 1 21 Bonus section
The narrative here presents a classic example of political maneuvering within an absolute monarchy. Memucan's speech was crafted not merely as legal advice but as a strategy to save face for the king while expanding the authority of men over their households throughout the vast empire. This move transforms a domestic incident into a significant imperial decree, showcasing the arbitrary and self-serving nature of power dynamics unchecked by divine principles. The swift and unanimous acceptance by the "princes" or high officials indicates their shared concerns about maintaining order and the existing power structures within their own families and regions, seeing Vashti's defiance as a potential precedent for rebellion. This decision, seemingly made by man for human reasons, unknowingly became an instrumental step in the providential preparation for Esther's arrival and the ultimate deliverance of the Jewish people. This highlights God's sovereignty over kings and empires, even when He is not explicitly named.
Esther 1 21 Commentary
Esther 1:21 is a pivotal moment marking the resolution of the Vashti crisis and the establishment of a far-reaching legal precedent. The immediate approval and execution of Memucan's harsh counsel underscore the Persian king's absolute authority, yet also his susceptibility to the advice of his close advisors. This reflects a human-centric decision-making process, rooted in pride and an insecure desire for societal control, far from divine wisdom. Paradoxically, this seemingly severe and human-contrived law, designed to assert male dominion, creates the exact void in the palace that God would providentially fill with Esther, a key figure in His redemptive plan for His people. This verse subtly contrasts human efforts to establish order through fear with God's quiet working behind the scenes.Example: Much like Joseph's brothers intended evil for him, yet God used it for good (Gen 50:20), the king and princes' decree, though likely born from insecurity and pride, set the stage for God's purposes in raising Esther.