Esther 1:6
What does Esther 1:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 1:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 1:6 means
The description of hangings, cords, rings, marble pillars, precious metals, and a multicolored marble pavement underscores Persian luxury. Gold and silver couches and elaborate fabrics broadcast wealth and refinement. This is not incidental detail; it conveys the cultural values of opulence and display that saturate the court. The architecture itself proclaims the king’s glory, making the feast an immersive experience in imperial power. Readers see that the environment is carefully staged to impress and indulge. In such a setting, vanity and pleasure are given free rein, which helps explain the attitudes and choices that will take center stage as the story turns toward the queen.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000There were hangings of white cloth, of green, and of blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the couches were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and white, and yellow, and black marble.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901There were hangings of white cloth, of green, and of blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the couches were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and white, and yellow, and black marble.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949There were fair hangings of white and green and blue, fixed with cords of purple and the best linen to silver rings and pillars of polished stone: the seats were of gold and silver on a floor of red and white and yellow and black stone.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862white linen, white cotton, and blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on rings of silver, and pillars of marble, couches of gold, and of silver, on a pavement of smaragdus, and white marble, and mother-of-pearl, and black marble--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And there were hung up on every side sky coloured, and green, and violet hangings, fastened with cords of silk, and of purple, which were put into rings of ivory, and were held up with marble pillars. The beds also were of gold and silver, placed in order upon a floor paved with porphyry and white marble: which was embellished with painting of wonderful variety.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890White, green, and blue [hangings] were fastened with cords of byssus and purple to silver rings and pillars of white marble; couches of gold and silver [lay] upon a pavement of red and white marble, and alabaster, and black marble.
Context
The narrative lingers over the lavish scene of the seven-day feast, intensifying the sense of extravagance built from the earlier 180-day display. These details prepare the reader to accept the abundance of wine, the permissive drinking rule, and the king’s merry mood. They also remind us that the next conflict will erupt in a place designed to magnify the king’s honor. The subsequent verses will connect the indulgent atmosphere to decisions made under the influence of celebration and pride.
v.5And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.
v.6This passage
v.7And they gave them drink in vessels of gold (the vessels being diverse one from another), and royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 26:36
And thou shalt make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer.
- Esther 7:8
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he even force the queen before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
- Exodus 26:1
Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim the work of the skilful workman shalt thou make them.
- Ezekiel 23:41
and sit upon a stately bed, with a table prepared before it, whereupon thou didst set mine incense and mine oil.
- Esther 8:15
And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad.
- Amos 2:8
and they lay themselves down beside every altar upon clothes taken in pledge; and in the house of their God they drink the wine of such as have been fined.