Esther 1:20
What does Esther 1:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 1:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 1:20 means
Memucan argues that once the king’s decree is published throughout the vast kingdom, all wives will honor their husbands, from the highest to the lowest. The policy aims at uniform behavior, using public law to shape private relationships. This presents a top-down approach to social order: royal proclamation enforces domestic respect. Whether effective or not, the intent is clear—what happens in the palace sets the pattern for every house. The verse reveals confidence in the power of empire-wide communication and legal compulsion to standardize norms in a diverse realm.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when this order, given by the king, is made public through all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give honour to their husbands, great as well as small.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the sentence of the king that he maketh hath been heard in all his kingdom--for it <FI>is<Fi> great--and all the wives give honour to their husbands, from great even unto small.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And let this be published through all the provinces of thy empire, (which is very wide,) and let all wives, as well of the greater as of the lesser, give honour to their husbands.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and when the king's edict which he shall make shall be heard throughout his realm — for it is great — all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, from the greatest to the least.
Context
This statement concludes Memucan’s counsel by articulating the hoped-for outcome. It links the dethronement of Vashti to a broader restoration of honor in households. The narrative will immediately report that the king and the princes are pleased with this advice. The decision to act on it ushers in the final moves of the chapter: the king’s agreement and the issuance of letters to every province in every language, implementing the new policy across the empire.
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.
v.20This passage
v.21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 3:18
Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
- Deuteronomy 17:13
And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
- Ephesians 5:22
Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
- 1 Peter 3:1
In like manner, ye wives, bein subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives;
- Deuteronomy 21:21
And all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones: so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
- Ephesians 5:33
Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she fear her husband.