Esther 1:9
What does Esther 1:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 1:9 means
Vashti the queen hosts her own feast for the women in the royal house. This shows her recognized status and the court custom of separate celebrations for men and women. Vashti is not a shadow figure; she acts within her sphere, exercising authority and honor. The mention of her feast also tells us she is occupied with royal duties when the king later calls for her. Her presence in the royal house underscores that what will happen is not a private marital matter but a public incident with constitutional implications, touching both the women’s court and the men’s.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Vashti the queen gave a feast for the women in the house of King Ahasuerus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Also Vashti the queen hath made a banquet for women, in the royal house that the king Ahasuerus hath.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Also Vasthi the queen made a feast for the women in the palace, where king Assuerus was used to dwell.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Also the queen Vashti made a feast for the women of the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
Context
After the portrayal of the men’s feast, the spotlight briefly turns to the queen’s parallel banquet. This sets the scene for the coming clash: the king will demand Vashti’s appearance from her own formal event. The separation of feasts makes the interruption sharper and the refusal more consequential. The following verses will describe the king’s intoxicated state on the seventh day, his command delivered through seven chamberlains, and the purpose of the summons—to display Vashti’s beauty before the gathered nobles and people.
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.
v.9This passage
v.10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 5:4
And Esther said, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
- Esther 5:8
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the king hath said.