Esther 1:7
What does Esther 1:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 1:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 1:7 means
Golden vessels of varied design, flowing royal wine, and the king’s generous hand communicate the abundance of the court. The uniqueness of each cup hints at a treasury without limits and a desire to display creativity as well as wealth. The phrase “according to the bounty of the king” highlights how royal largesse buys loyalty and fame. Yet the scene also signals danger: where drink is in abundance, judgment can be clouded. The narrative prepares us for a command born more of intoxication and pride than wisdom, showing how a moment of extravagance can have long-lasting political effects across an empire.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they gave them drink in gold vessels, every vessel being different, and wine of the kingdom, freely given by the king.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the giving of drink in vessels of gold, and the vessels <FI>are<Fi> divers vessels, and the royal wine <FI>is<Fi> abundant, as a memorial of the king.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they that were invited, drank in golden cups, and the meats were brought in divers vessels one after another. Wine also in abundance and of the best was presented, as was worthy of a king's magnificence.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they gave drink in vessels of gold (the vessels being diverse one from another), and royal wine in abundance, according to the king's bounty.
Context
Still within the seven-day citywide feast, the description turns from furnishings to drink. This sets the immediate precondition for the king’s later order concerning Vashti. The next verse will note that drinking was not coerced but freely chosen, further encouraging overindulgence. Soon the text will mark the seventh day and the king’s merry heart, connecting the mood of the feast with the pivotal decision that catalyzes the rest of the book’s events.
v.6There 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.
v.7This passage
v.8And the drinking was according to the law; none could compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 10:21
And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
- 2 Chronicles 9:20
And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: silver was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
- Daniel 5:2
Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, might drink therefrom.
- Esther 2:18
Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the bounty of the king.