Esther 1:18
What does Esther 1:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 1:18 means
Memucan insists that very day the princesses who hear of Vashti’s deed will respond in kind to the king’s princes, resulting in much contempt and wrath. He focuses on the elite because their behavior shapes the wider populace; if disdain begins at the top, it will trickle down and breed conflict. By forecasting immediate turmoil among the ruling class, he heightens the need for swift, public remedy. The argument is that honor and order hang in the balance. The counsel aims to prevent a spiral of disrespect that would destabilize relationships crucial to governance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And this day will the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen say the like unto all the king’s princes. So will there arise much contempt and wrath.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And this day will the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen say the like unto all the king’s princes. So will there arise much contempt and wrath.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the wives of the captains of Persia and Media, hearing what the queen has done, will say the same to all the king's captains. So there will be much shame and wrath.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862yea, this day do princesses of Persia and Media, who have heard the word of the queen, say <FI>so<Fi> to all heads of the king, even according to the sufficiency of contempt and wrath.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And by this example all the wives of the princes of the Persians and the Medes will slight the commandments of their husbands: wherefore the king's indignation is just.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's act, will say it this day to all the king's princes, and there will be contempt and anger enough.
Context
With the threat traced from queen to princesses, Memucan’s analysis crescendos. He has portrayed a chain reaction leading to widespread disorder. The narrative now turns to his proposed solution: a royal, unalterable decree removing Vashti and elevating another. This prescription will be justified as a means to reestablish proper honor in households across the realm, which Memucan claims is necessary for social stability.
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.
v.18This passage
v.19If it please the king, let there go forth a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 11:3
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.
- Judges 5:29
Her wise ladies answered her, Yea, she returned answer to herself,