Esther 1:19
What does Esther 1:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 1:19 means
Memucan proposes a royal command written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so it cannot be altered. The decree would bar Vashti from ever appearing before the king and transfer her royal estate to another “better than she.” The unchangeable nature of the law emphasizes the seriousness of the offense and the desire to set a lasting precedent. The remedy is both punitive and exemplary: Vashti loses status; another is honored. This communicates that public defiance of royal authority carries irreversible consequence. It also opens the door for a new queen, a change that God will later use for the deliverance of His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If it please the king, let there go 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If it is pleasing to the king, let an order go out from him, and let it be recorded among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it may never be changed, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her place to another who is better than she.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`If to the king <FI>it be<Fi> good, there goeth forth a royal word from before him, and it is written with the laws of Persia and Media, and doth not pass away, that Vashti doth not come in before the king Ahasuerus, and her royalty doth the king give to her companion who <FI>is<Fi> better than she;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If it please thee, let an edict go out from thy presence, and let it be written according to the law of the Persians and of the Medes, which must not be altered, that Vasthi come in no more to the king, but another, that is better than her, be made queen in her place.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If it please the king, let a royal order go forth from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it may not pass, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another that is better than she;
Context
Having diagnosed a kingdom-wide danger, Memucan now prescribes a firm legal response. The proposal connects household order to imperial law, seeking to anchor it in an unalterable statute. The next verse will state the intended effect of the decree—wives honoring their husbands throughout the great kingdom. Soon the narrative will report the king’s approval and the dispatch of letters, closing the chapter with a settled policy and a vacant queenship.
v.18And 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.
v.19This passage
v.20And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 8:8
Write ye also to the Jews, as it pleaseth you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring; for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.
- 1 Kings 3:28
And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do justice.
- Esther 1:21
And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
- Esther 3:9
If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king’s business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.
- Esther 8:5
And she said, If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews that are in all the king’s provinces:
- 1 Samuel 15:28
And Samuel said unto him, Jehovah hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou.