Esther 1:10
What does Esther 1:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 1:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 1:10 means
On the seventh day, as the king’s heart is merry with wine, he issues an order through seven named chamberlains who serve in his presence. Their listing underscores formality and high rank; this is not a casual message but a royal command sent by trusted officials. The king’s merry condition hints at diminished prudence. Royal authority, exercised in a moment of festivity, can quickly become personal vanity. The apparatus of the court—its officers and procedures—now serves a spontaneous desire. The verse prepares us to weigh the legitimacy and wisdom of the order to follow, which will test the boundaries of honor and modesty in a charged public setting.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
KJV
King James Version · 1611On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was glad with wine, he gave orders to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven unsexed servants who were waiting before Ahasuerus the king,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862On the seventh day, as the heart of the king is glad with wine, he hath said to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who are ministering in the presence of the king Ahasuerus,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now on the seventh day, when the king was merry, and after very much drinking was well warmed with wine, he commanded Mauman, and Bazatha, and Harbona, and Bagatha, and Abgatha, and Zethar, and Charcas, the seven eunuchs that served in his presence,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890On the seventh day, when the king's heart was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of king Ahasuerus,
Context
With the queen’s feast established, the narrative turns to the key moment of decision at the men’s banquet. The timing—the final day—and the king’s state of mind link the earlier descriptions of abundance to the outcome. Next, the command’s content is revealed: Vashti is to appear crowned, displayed for her beauty before the assembled company. The stage is set for a confrontation between royal will and a queen’s dignity, with the officers serving as intermediaries.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Judges 16:25
And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison-house; and he made sport before them. And they set him between the pillars:
- Daniel 1:3
And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in certain of the children of Israel, even of the seed royal and of the nobles;
- 1 Samuel 25:36
And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.
- Esther 7:9
Then said Harbonah, one of the chamberlains that were before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman hath made for Mordecai, who spake good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. And the king said, Hang him thereon.
- Ecclesiastes 7:2
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
- Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.