Esther 1:16
What does Esther 1:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 1:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 1:16 means
Memucan argues that Vashti’s wrong is not only against the king but against all princes and all peoples in every province. He interprets the queen’s refusal as a public act with universal implications. By framing it this way, he converts a specific incident into a threat to the fabric of society. His reasoning is political: if the queen can disregard the king, others will take license to disregard rightful authority. The counsel skillfully magnifies the stakes, making harsh action appear necessary for the common good. The narrative reveals how rhetoric in counsel can broaden a private breach into an empire-wide offense.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And before the king and the captains, Memucan gave his answer: Vashti the queen has done wrong, not only to the king, but to all the captains and to all the peoples in all the divisions of the kingdom of King Ahasuerus;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Memucan saith before the king and the heads, `Not against the king by himself hath Vashti the queen done perversely, but against all the heads, and against all the peoples that <FI>are<Fi> in all provinces of the king Ahasuerus;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Mamuchan answered, in the hearing of the king and the princes: Queen Vasthi hath not only injured the king, but also all the people and princes that are in all the provinces of king Assuerus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then said Memucan before the king and the princes, The queen Vashti has not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
Context
Memucan begins the response that will dominate the remainder of the chapter. He reframes Vashti’s act as a national issue, preparing to argue that consequences must be exemplary and far-reaching. The following verses will explain how news of the queen’s defiance could spread and undermine household order, leading him to recommend an irrevocable decree. The structure moves from diagnosis (v. 16–18) to prescription (v. 19–20), culminating in the king’s acceptance (v. 21–22).
v.15What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
v.16This passage
v.17For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto all women, to make their husbands contemptible in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 25:10
But Paul said, I am standing before Cæsar’s judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest.
- 1 Corinthians 6:7
Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded?
- Acts 18:14
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: