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Jeremiah 10:7
Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wisemen of the nations, and in all their kingdoms,there is none like unto thee.

Daniel 2:2,12,27
Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king…

Daniel 4:6,7
Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wisemen of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream…

knew.

1 Chronicles 12:32
And of the children of Issachar,which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of themwere two hundred; and all their brethrenwere at their commandment.

Matthew 16:3
And in the morning,It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. Oye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye notdiscern the signs of the times?

who knew the times
The phrase "who knew the times" suggests that these wise men had an understanding of the cultural, political, and possibly astrological contexts of the era. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, knowledge of the times often included an understanding of celestial events, which were believed to influence earthly affairs. This is similar to the magi inMatthew 2:1-2, who followed the star to find Jesus, indicating their knowledge of the times through astrology.

for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice
The Persian Empire was known for its complex legal system, and it was customary for the king to consult with legal experts to ensure that his decisions were just and in accordance with the law. This reflects the structured governance of the empire, as seen in the Book of Daniel, where laws of the Medes and Persians are described as unchangeable (Daniel 6:8). The emphasis on law and justice can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate justice brought by Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law (Matthew 5:17) and embodies divine justice and mercy.

- The passage opens with decisive royal action: “Then the king consulted…” (Esther 1:13a).

- Ahasuerus does not act in isolation.Proverbs 11:14 reminds us, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”

- Yet consulting others does not absolve personal responsibility (see1 Kings 12:6–11, where Rehoboam’s poor choice of counsel brought disaster).

- These advisers formed an inner circle of trusted counselors, similar to Pharaoh’s magicians (Genesis 41:8) or Nebuchadnezzar’s wise men (Daniel 2:2).

- “Wise” here speaks to recognized insight and experience, though wisdom apart from God can be flawed (Isaiah 19:11–13).

- InEsther 6:13 the same group later acknowledges a providential pattern they cannot control, underscoring the limits of merely human wisdom.

- Scripture praises those who understand cultural and historical moments. The sons of Issachar “understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32).

-Ecclesiastes 8:5 notes, “A wise heart knows the right time and procedure.”

- Jesus rebuked His generation for failing to “discern the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:3). True discernment remains anchored in God’s revelation, not shifting trends.

- Royal protocol required consultation; it was the standard operating procedure of the Persian court.

-2 Samuel 16:23 describes a similar custom: “The counsel of Ahithophel… was as if one consulted the word of God.” Such reliance on advisers could steady or sway a king’s decisions.

- Regular practices, even wise ones, can become empty rituals if detached from righteous motives (Isaiah 29:13).

- Persian kings governed a vast, diverse empire; sound legal insight was critical (compareEzra 7:25 regarding Persian authorization of Jewish law experts).

-Deuteronomy 17:8–10 outlines how Israel’s leaders were also to seek legal rulings from qualified judges and priests—principled, not arbitrary, justice.

-Romans 13:3–4 later affirms that governmental authority is meant “to bring fear to those who do wrong,” underscoring the God-ordained value of just laws.

Esther 1:13 shows King Ahasuerus following established protocol: seeking counsel from seasoned, culturally astute advisers skilled in legal matters. Scripture affirms the value of wise counsel and timely discernment, yet it also cautions that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). Earthly expertise, though useful, remains subject to God’s higher authority, a theme that will unfold dramatically as the book of Esther progresses.

For so. . . .--Translate,for so was the king's business laid, before . . .