Esther 1 8

Esther 1:8 kjv

And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.

Esther 1:8 nkjv

In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man's pleasure.

Esther 1:8 niv

By the king's command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.

Esther 1:8 esv

And drinking was according to this edict: "There is no compulsion." For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired.

Esther 1:8 nlt

By edict of the king, no limits were placed on the drinking, for the king had instructed all his palace officials to serve each man as much as he wanted.

Esther 1 verses

Esther 1 8 Meaning

Esther 1:8 describes an extraordinary aspect of King Ahasuerus's great feast: while wine was abundant, no one was compelled to drink, and each individual was permitted to consume according to their own pleasure. This unprecedented freedom regarding consumption was a specific royal command given to all the king's household officials, ensuring that every guest could partake or abstain as they wished.

Esther 1 8 Context

Esther 1:8 occurs during the opulent feast given by King Ahasuerus in the third year of his reign. This grand display, held in the citadel of Susa, was designed to showcase his immense wealth and the glorious splendor of his kingdom to all his officials, nobles, and provincial leaders (Esth 1:3-4). The feast itself spanned 180 days, followed by a seven-day public feast for all the people in Susa. The previous verses (Esth 1:5-7) describe the magnificent setting: royal gardens, beds of gold and silver, richly decorated pavement, and various golden vessels for drinking, indicating extreme extravagance. Against this backdrop of limitless abundance and royal pomp, verse 8 highlights a unique decree regarding drinking: there was to be no forced drinking. This freedom from compulsion adds a distinct flavor to the lavish celebrations, emphasizing the king's magnanimity or perhaps his desire to prevent disorder by allowing personal choice amidst the revelry.

Esther 1 8 Word analysis

• And: A simple conjunction (waw in Hebrew, often meaning "and" or "but"), connecting this specific detail to the preceding description of the feast. It highlights this rule as an important, perhaps contrasting, aspect of the celebration.
• the drinking: Refers to the consumption of wine (yayin in Hebrew). In the ancient world, especially Persia, feasts were synonymous with wine consumption. This detail indicates the abundance of alcoholic beverages available.
• was according to: Hebrew kə (כְּ) meaning "according to," "as," or "like." This implies a regulation or rule was in place concerning the wine.
• the law: Hebrew daṯ (דָּת). This term, of Persian origin, signifies a royal decree, edict, or established custom. Here, it explicitly refers to a rule specifically enacted by the king for the feast, underscoring its authoritative nature.
• none did compel: This phrase (ʾên ʾôness, אֵין אֹנֵס) is crucial. ʾÔness (compel, force, coerce) appears only twice in the Old Testament, both in Esther (here and Esth 1:21). This is highly unusual for a pagan feast of this type, where social pressure or a master's will might dictate drinking. It denotes an absence of pressure, ensuring voluntary participation in drinking.
• for so: Hebrew kî kēn (כִּי כֵן). An emphatic explanation or justification, linking the absence of compulsion directly to the king's prior command.
• the king had appointed: Hebrew śām (שָׂם), "he had set," "put," or "established." This emphasizes that the king actively instituted this rule, rather than it being an existing custom or an oversight.
• to all the officers: Hebrew leḵol sākanê (לְכֹל סָכְנֵי). Sākan is an Aramaic loanword used in Esther and Daniel (e.g., Dan 3:24, 6:7) meaning "stewards," "administrators," or "officials." These were the household managers or high-ranking servants responsible for executing the king's orders.
• of his house: Referring to the king's royal palace or court where the feast was taking place. The officers specifically served within this royal sphere.
• that they should do according to: An instruction to ensure conformity with the rule.
• every man's pleasure: Hebrew reṣôn ʾîš wāʾîš (רְצוֹן אִישׁ וָאִישׁ). Reṣôn (pleasure, will, desire, favor). ʾΚ wāʾîš means "each and every man." This signifies that individual will or preference was paramount. Guests could drink freely and abundantly, or abstain, entirely based on their own desire, without social obligation or royal pressure. This was a striking feature for such a large public gathering in a monarchical system.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the drinking was according to the law": Sets the context of the activity and establishes that a formal rule governed it. This was not chaotic or arbitrary; it had a structure, albeit an unusual one.
• "none did compel": The core, remarkable detail of the verse. This subverts the typical expectation of ancient feasts where heavy drinking might be encouraged or expected, especially from the host. It highlights a conscious decision to allow personal liberty in consumption.
• "for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house": Provides the source of this unique policy. It's a direct royal mandate to the implementing staff, reinforcing the king's absolute authority even over details of feast protocol.
• "that they should do according to every man's pleasure": The specific content of the king's appointment. The officers were instructed to allow individual choice in drinking. This speaks to a potentially self-serving "magnanimity" from the king, ensuring maximum pleasure and goodwill among his guests, or perhaps avoiding disputes over sobriety. It reflects a very unconstrained atmosphere.

Esther 1 8 Bonus section

The uniqueness of Esther 1:8 stands out when considering ancient banquet etiquette. While lavish provisions were common, the lack of compulsion to drink heavily or for the group to maintain a shared level of intoxication was less typical. This "law" might have been enacted to prevent quarrels or health issues stemming from enforced drinking, or simply as an expression of the king's unbounded generosity—to give guests all things, even choice. It's an example of royal decree setting minute, yet impactful, social policy for the benefit of the revelers. This subtle freedom provided by the king, however, did not prevent the later developments in the narrative, highlighting that self-indulgence and personal desire, even if freely chosen, can lead to unfortunate outcomes, such as Vashti's dethronement due to the king's intoxicated command.

Esther 1 8 Commentary

Esther 1:8 unveils a significant, if seemingly minor, detail about King Ahasuerus's extravagant feast: the remarkable absence of forced drinking. This was not a general custom but a specific royal edict enforced by his household officers. In a culture where hospitality often involved strong encouragement to partake freely, sometimes to excess, this decree offered an unusual degree of individual liberty. The phrase "none did compel" is striking, contrasting with the pressure often associated with ancient royal banquets or social gatherings, where hosts might pride themselves on guests consuming copious amounts.

This king's command reveals several aspects of Ahasuerus's character and rule. It suggests a desire to project an image of generous and broad-minded authority, allowing even personal choice within the sphere of his absolute control. It could be an attempt to ensure the guests' complete contentment and enjoyment, avoiding any discomfort or resistance. On another level, it could ironically be seen as a policy of sophisticated indulgence—allowing unlimited self-gratification without direct coercion, trusting that many would indeed drink heavily by choice given the boundless provision (Esth 1:7). Such a decree, while seemingly liberating, also points to the extreme hedonism prevalent in his court, where "pleasure" rather than wisdom or temperance, was the governing principle of the revelry.

Examples:

• A host ensuring every guest feels comfortable choosing their drink, whether it is wine or water.
• A gathering where no one pressures another to consume more than they wish, despite lavish provisions.