Esther 1:22
What does Esther 1:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 1:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 1:22 means
Letters go out to every province, adapted to each script and language, commanding that every man bear rule in his own house and speak according to the language of his people. The multilingual dispatch shows the empire’s administrative sophistication and its resolve to standardize domestic authority across cultures. The decree codifies male headship and asserts the household’s linguistic identity, reinforcing patriarchal order and national distinctions. This broad communication ensures the king’s policy touches every home. The verse closes the chapter by turning private tension into public law, creating the vacancy on the throne that will soon be filled in a way that advances God’s hidden purposes for His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and should speak according to the language of his people.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and should speak according to the language of his people.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And sent letters to all the divisions of the kingdom, to every division in the writing commonly used there, and to every people in the language which was theirs, saying that every man was to be the ruler in his house, and that this order was to be given out in the language of his people.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and sendeth letters unto all provinces of the king, unto province and province according to its writing, and unto people and people according to its tongue, for every man being head in his own house--and speaking according to the language of his people.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he sent letters to all the provinces of his kingdom, as every nation could hear and read, in divers languages and characters, that the husbands should be rulers and masters in their houses: and that this should be published to every people.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people according to their language, That every man should bear rule in his own house, and should speak according to the language of his people.
Context
The final verse implements the counsel as empire-wide law, concluding the immediate crisis. It emphasizes the reach of Persian administration and the seriousness with which the king guards household order. With Vashti effectively removed and a principle established, the narrative is ready to shift toward the search for a successor. The stage is now set for Esther’s introduction, which will unfold against the backdrop of decisions made in this chapter under the pressures of honor, counsel, and decree.
v.21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
v.22This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:5
Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
- 1 Timothy 2:12
But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.
- Esther 8:9
Then were the king’s scribes called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the three and twentiethday thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
- Luke 16:8
And his lord commended the unrighteous steward because he had done wisely: for the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light.
- Daniel 4:1
Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you.
- Ephesians 5:22
Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.