Esther 1 6

Esther 1:6 kjv

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.

Esther 1:6 nkjv

There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble.

Esther 1:6 niv

The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones.

Esther 1:6 esv

There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods and marble pillars, and also couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.

Esther 1:6 nlt

The courtyard was beautifully decorated with white cotton curtains and blue hangings, which were fastened with white linen cords and purple ribbons to silver rings embedded in marble pillars. Gold and silver couches stood on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.

Esther 1 verses

Esther 1 6 Meaning

Esther 1:6 describes the lavish and opulent setting of King Ahasuerus’s royal feast, highlighting the immense wealth and power of the Persian Empire. The verse meticulously details the extravagant decorations of the palace garden, including specific fabrics, colors, precious metals, and rare marbles used for hangings, furnishings, and flooring. This grand display serves to underscore the king's authority, luxury, and the fleeting nature of such earthly splendor.

Esther 1 6 Context

Esther chapter 1 opens with King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), ruler of the vast Persian Empire, showcasing his immense wealth and the splendor of his kingdom through a grand feast in the third year of his reign. This particular verse, Esther 1:6, is part of a detailed description of this lavish six-month display of royal grandeur in Shushan (Susa), the capital city. The context sets the stage for the rest of the book by emphasizing the overwhelming power and material focus of the king and his court, implicitly contrasting it with God’s hidden yet sovereign hand which will soon intervene to protect His people, the Jews. The king’s motivation for this display likely includes solidifying alliances, demonstrating might before military campaigns, and asserting absolute authority, all rooted in human pride and self-exaltation.

Esther 1 6 Word analysis

• were hangings (ḥûr חוּר): Refers to fine white cotton or linen, typically used for elegant, luxurious curtains. This indicates immediately the high standard of decoration.
• of white, green, and blue,
  • white (ḥûr חוּר): The same term for "hangings," emphasizing pure, elegant white linen/cotton.
  • green (karpas כַּרְפַּס): Believed to be cotton fabric, likely light green or yellowish-green in color, possibly imported from India. Its presence denotes rarity and exotic luxury.
  • blue (tekheleth תְּכֵלֶת): A highly prized, deep royal blue dye, costly to produce (from a specific Murex mollusc). It was heavily used in the Tabernacle and Temple furnishings (Exo 26:1, 2 Chr 3:14), and in priestly garments (Exo 28:31), symbolizing holiness and divine authority. Here, its use in a pagan royal setting highlights its association with power and status, yet contrasts with its sacred purpose.
• fastened with cords (ḥebel חֶבֶל): General term for ropes or cords, but given the context, likely ornate and durable.
• of fine linen (bûts בּוּץ): Very fine, lustrous, bleached white linen, possibly Egyptian in origin, known for its superior quality. More luxurious than ordinary linen, often associated with royalty and priesthood (1 Chr 15:27, Esth 8:15).
• and purple (’argāmān אַרְגָּמָן): An extremely valuable reddish-purple dye, extracted from a different mollusc (Purpura) and indicative of extreme wealth and royalty throughout the ancient world. Like blue, purple was prominently used in the Tabernacle and priestly vestments (Exo 26:1, 2 Chr 3:14), signifying kingship and divine majesty. Its use here further emphasizes Ahasuerus’s claim to absolute royal authority, in stark contrast to God's own majesty.
• to silver rings (gilgelê kesef גִּלְגַּלֵּי כֶסֶף): Rings made of silver, not just a common material, but a precious metal, showing attention to costly detail in every fixture.
• and pillars of marble: (‘ammûdê shêsh עַמּוּדֵי שֵׁשׁ): Pillars constructed of fine white marble, a costly building material typically associated with grand architecture and luxury. This speaks to the permanent, monumental nature of the palace garden’s setup for the feast.
  • marble (shêsh שֵׁשׁ): A costly, finely-grained white stone, likely imported, signifying grandeur and opulence.
• the beds were of gold and silver,: These refer to reclining couches (mittâh מִטָּה) used for dining, not sleeping. Their construction from solid gold and silver, or heavily overlaid with these precious metals, points to incredible wealth far beyond comfort or necessity, purely for display.
• upon a pavement (ritsfah רִצְפָה): A floor or mosaic paving. This indicates not just an earthen floor, but a meticulously crafted surface.
• of red, and blue, and white, and black marble. A mosaic floor made of expensive and diverse types of stone.
  • red (pîzemath פִּזִמָּת): Possibly a reddish-brown marble, porphyry, or mosaic-like stone, adding vivid color.
  • blue (dar דַּר): May refer to mother-of-pearl or blue granite, contributing to the rich palette of the pavement.
  • white (shêsh שֵׁשׁ): White marble, as mentioned for the pillars, denoting purity and elegance.
  • black marble (sokheret סֹכֶרֶת): Black stone or marble, creating stark contrast and completing the striking, costly mosaic.

Words-group analysis

• hangings of white, green, and blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: This elaborate description paints a picture of a magnificent, semi-permanent open-air banquet hall. The combination of rare colors and luxurious fabrics, suspended by precious metals and sturdy marble pillars, signals an investment in grand-scale, ostentatious display. The explicit mention of blue and purple, traditionally reserved for sacred temple use and royal garments ordained by God in Israel (e.g., Tabernacle textiles), implies a subtle polemic, showcasing human vanity mimicking or misusing what God deems holy for self-glorification.
• the beds were of gold and silver: The very couches on which guests reclined were not just finely made, but crafted from or adorned with pure precious metals. This indicates a degree of extravagance that moves beyond practical luxury into symbolic excess, asserting the king's unmatched wealth. It is a material manifestation of human pride.
• upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black marble: The floor itself was a masterpiece of luxury. A multi-colored mosaic using various costly marbles transforms the ground underfoot into another canvas for royal display. This detailed account of diverse colors and materials creates an image of dazzling, overwhelming beauty, designed to impress and awe. It demonstrates the meticulous detail and immense resources poured into even the foundational elements of the feasting area, leaving no stone untouched in the quest for grandeur.

Esther 1 6 Bonus section

The materials mentioned in Esther 1:6 were extremely expensive for their time, often imported from distant lands (like Egypt or India for fine linen and specific stones). This verse isn't merely describing a party but highlighting a massive economic and logistical undertaking that few rulers could afford. The king’s intention was to awe not just his direct guests but representatives from all 127 provinces, asserting his undisputed dominion. This emphasis on visible display stands in stark contrast to the divine method of operation often seen in Scripture, particularly in the Book of Esther, where God's providence is "hidden" and works through natural, seemingly coincidental events, rather than overt displays of power. The absence of direct mention of God in Esther's text makes the descriptions of human lavishness even more striking, positioning the visible, tangible wealth of the king against the invisible, sovereign power of God. The specific details also provide insight into Persian artistic and architectural sophistication, and their value system centered on outward pomp.

Esther 1 6 Commentary

Esther 1:6 serves as a profound testament to the unparalleled material splendor and excessive grandeur of King Ahasuerus's court. This detailed depiction of hangings, fabrics, precious metals, and rare marbles creates a tableau of extreme opulence, emphasizing the king's immense power, wealth, and ego. Every element described is costly and visually striking, transforming a garden into a theatrical stage for human pomp. The deliberate use of colors and materials, like blue and purple, which in biblical tradition held sacred significance (e.g., in the Tabernacle and priestly garments), subtly contrasts the ephemeral, self-aggrandizing nature of human kingship with the eternal, divine authority of God, who, though unmentioned, silently directs the unfolding narrative. The verse ultimately highlights the transient nature of such earthly glory and the deep-seated human inclination towards lavish displays of power and status, ultimately without lasting spiritual value. For instance, just as Ahasuerus invested heavily in outward splendor, believers are called to invest in eternal riches, understanding that earthly possessions are fleeting (Matt 6:19-20). The temporary nature of this extravagant setup is further implied by the unfolding narrative of the book where the focus quickly shifts from the banquet's grandeur to the deeper divine providence at play.