Esther 1:7 kjv
And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
Esther 1:7 nkjv
And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king.
Esther 1:7 niv
Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king's liberality.
Esther 1:7 esv
Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king.
Esther 1:7 nlt
Drinks were served in gold goblets of many designs, and there was an abundance of royal wine, reflecting the king's generosity.
Esther 1 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Esth 1:3-4 | King Ahasuerus displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom… for many days… | Shows the overall display of wealth. |
| Esth 1:8 | The drinking was according to the law; none compelled. | Reinforces the unlimited consumption aspect. |
| Dan 5:2-3 | Belshazzar... drank from the gold vessels... from the house of God at Jerusalem. | Profaning sacred gold vessels. |
| 1 Ki 10:21 | All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold… no silver counted as anything. | Demonstrates unparalleled royal wealth. |
| 2 Chr 9:20 | All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels… of gold. | Further confirms incredible royal opulence. |
| Isa 5:11-12 | Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may pursue strong drink. | Contrasts ungodly pursuit of revelry. |
| Amos 6:4-6 | Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory, and feast on lambs... drinking wine in bowls. | Condemnation of luxurious indulgence and disregard. |
| Luke 16:19 | There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. | Example of earthly extravagant living. |
| Jer 52:19 | And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took away… all the gold vessels. | Foreign kings seizing valuable vessels. |
| Ezek 28:5 | By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. | Warns about pride fueled by riches. |
| Prov 21:26 | All day long he craves greedily; but the righteous gives and does not hold back. | Contrasts selfish accumulation with generosity. |
| Rev 17:4 | The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet... holding in her hand a golden cup. | Symbol of worldly seductive luxury and idolatry. |
| Rev 18:7 | In proportion as she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her torment and sorrow. | Judgment on Babylon for its excessive luxury. |
| Jas 5:1-5 | Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your gold and silver have corroded. | Warning against hoarding wealth and luxury. |
| Ps 23:5 | You prepare a table before me… You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. | God's abundant provision, contrasted with human excess. |
| Ps 104:15 | And wine that makes glad the heart of man. | Wine's God-given purpose, not for excess. |
| Eccl 2:3 | I searched in my heart how to stimulate my body with wine, while my mind was guiding me with wisdom. | Solomon's search for enjoyment and wisdom. |
| 1 Tim 6:17 | Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches. | Against pride in wealth. |
| Gen 14:18 | And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. | Wine as a component of significant feasts/blessings. |
| Prov 20:1 | Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. | Warning against misuse of wine. |
Esther 1 verses
Esther 1 7 Meaning
Esther 1:7 describes the extravagant scale of King Ahasuerus’s banquet. Guests were served drinks, specifically abundant royal wine, in a vast collection of unique gold vessels. This detail underscores the king's immense wealth, boundless power, and his desire to display unreserved splendor and luxury to his gathered officials. It paints a picture of opulence limited only by the king's seemingly inexhaustible resources.
Esther 1 7 Context
Esther chapter 1 opens the narrative in the vast Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus (commonly identified as Xerxes I). The verse is part of the description of an extraordinary, multi-faceted royal feast. The chapter describes Ahasuerus's display of his immense wealth and the splendor of his kingdom to his princes and officials from 127 provinces. This grand event began with a 180-day showing of his royal riches (Esth 1:3-4), culminating in a final seven-day banquet in the palace garden for all residents of Shushan (Esth 1:5-8). Esther 1:7 specifically highlights the opulence and generosity of this seven-day garden feast, setting the stage for the dramatic events of Vashti's dismissal and Esther's eventual rise to queen. The elaborate, secular backdrop implicitly underscores the environment where God's hand works to preserve His people.
Esther 1 7 Word Analysis
- And they gave them drink:
- Implies the king's many servants attending to every whim of the guests. It signifies diligent and plentiful service.
- in vessels of gold:
- Keli (כְּלִי - vessel, implement, article): A general term for any utensil or article.
- Zahab (זָהָב - gold): Gold signifies immense wealth, luxury, and high status in the ancient world. It was rare and precious, used for adornment, currency, and high-value objects. This detail emphasizes the king's unimaginable riches and the splendor of his court.
- (the vessels being diverse one from another,):
- Shōnēh (שׁוֹנֶה - diverse, different, varied, unique): This detail is crucial. It means not merely golden vessels, but a collection where each piece was distinct, not part of a standard set. This suggests an immense collection of artfully crafted, unique gold vessels, each perhaps a masterwork, further emphasizing the king's wealth, taste, and lavish display of resources. It elevates the level of extravagance beyond simple wealth to one of unparalleled abundance and aesthetic indulgence.
- and royal wine:
- Yayin (יָיִן - wine): Standard term for wine.
- Malḵuṯ (מַלְכוּת - kingdom, royalty, sovereignty): Modifies "wine," signifying not just any wine, but wine of the highest quality, perhaps specially selected or produced for the royal palate, reflecting the king's superior status and demanding taste. It points to exclusivity and excellence.
- in abundance,
- Rov (רֹב - abundance, multitude, greatness): Denotes a vast quantity, an endless supply. This signifies there was no rationing, no scarcity, only overflowing provision, encouraging uninhibited consumption.
- according to the state of the king.
- Ke-yad ha-melek (כְּיַד הַמֶּלֶךְ - literally, "according to the hand of the king" or "as the king's hand was"): This idiomatic phrase implies that the giving, in this case, the wine and the vessels, was limitless, proportionate to the king's vast power, resources, and generosity. There was no measure or restraint imposed on the flow of drink; it was dispensed as lavishly as the king's immense wealth and desire allowed, signifying opulence without boundaries.
Esther 1 7 Bonus Section
- Polemics against contemporary beliefs: While not a direct polemic, the description implicitly critiques the hubris and ultimate vanity of empires built on earthly power and wealth, without acknowledging a higher divine authority. This is a common biblical theme that contrasts the temporary glory of human kingdoms with God's eternal dominion.
- Significance of gold vessels: Historically, precious metals and vessels held significant symbolic meaning in ancient cultures, often connected to divinity and sacred rites. In Daniel, King Belshazzar's sin (Dan 5:2-3) was compounded by profaning vessels from God's Temple for drunken revelry, demonstrating an ultimate insult to the Most High God. While Esther does not present Ahasuerus with such direct sacrilege, the sheer worldly indulgence points to a spiritual blindness, a world operating entirely outside divine recognition.
- Ancient Persian Banquets: Historical accounts of Persian kings often corroborate the descriptions of incredible opulence and vastness of their feasts, making the details in Esther historically plausible and not an exaggeration for its original audience. The Achaemenid Persian Empire was known for its wealth, administrative sophistication, and lavish lifestyle of its rulers.
Esther 1 7 Commentary
Esther 1:7 succinctly encapsulates the hedonism and pride pervasive in King Ahasuerus’s court. This verse, devoid of any explicit mention of God, paradoxically serves to highlight the providential backdrop of the Esther narrative. The use of unique gold vessels and an unquantifiable supply of royal wine vividly portrays a ruler consumed by a desire to display his magnificence. This grand show of wealth and power is a deliberate, ego-driven spectacle designed to impress and awe his subjects and foreign dignitaries.
The detailed description of the drinking vessels – not just gold, but diverse gold – underscores a level of luxury that moves beyond mere wealth to ostentatious extravagance and an accumulation of unique, highly valuable possessions. This pursuit of pleasure and display of riches stands in stark contrast to the values of humility, temperance, and reliance on God often found in Israelite scripture. The King's "state" is not defined by wisdom, justice, or devotion, but by boundless material wealth and the ability to consume without measure, a temporary and ultimately empty glory in light of eternity. This lavish setting, while appearing secure, sets the stage for God's quiet work behind the scenes to protect His chosen people from worldly threats.