Esther 1:12
What does Esther 1:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 1:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 1:12 means
Vashti refuses to come at the king’s command delivered by the chamberlains. Her no is costly, because it contradicts a public order. The king becomes very angry, and his fury burns within him, showing how personal honor and public image are intertwined in absolute monarchies. The verse does not give Vashti’s reasons; it simply records her refusal and the king’s rage. What is clear is that a private decision has immediate political ramifications. The king’s unchecked emotion signals that judgment may follow passion, not law, and that the machinery of empire will soon be engaged to restore wounded dignity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But when the servants gave her the king's order, Vashti the queen said she would not come: then the king was very angry, and his heart was burning with wrath.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the queen Vashti refuseth to come in at the word of the king that <FI>is<Fi> by the hand of the eunuchs, and the king is very wroth, and his fury hath burned in him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But she refused, and would not come at the king's commandment, which he had signified to her by the eunuchs. Whereupon the king, being angry, and inflamed with a very great fury,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king which was [sent] by the chamberlains; and the king was very wroth, and his fury burned in him.
Context
The tension now runs high. After the grand summons to display beauty, the queen’s refusal strikes at the king’s pride before his guests. The next move shifts from the banquet hall to the council chamber: the king seeks legal counsel from his wise men. The names and ranks of these advisers will be given, and the question posed—what to do according to law—will transform a household conflict into a kingdom-wide policy issue.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 79:5
How long, O Jehovah? wilt thou be angry for ever? Shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
- Nahum 1:6
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken asunder by him.
- Daniel 3:13
Then Nebuchadnezzar inhisrage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.
- Exodus 32:22
And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on evil.
- Ephesians 5:22
Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
- Psalms 74:1
O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? Why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?