New International VersionThen Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes.
New Living TranslationMemucan answered the king and his nobles, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also every noble and citizen throughout your empire.
English Standard VersionThen Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, “Not only against the king has Queen Vashti done wrong, but also against all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
Berean Standard BibleAnd in the presence of the king and his princes, Memucan replied, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King Xerxes.
King James BibleAnd Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
New King James VersionAnd Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
New American Standard BibleAnd in the presence of the king and the other officials, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
NASB 1995In the presence of the king and the princes, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
NASB 1977And in the presence of the king and the princes, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the princes, and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
Legacy Standard BibleThen in the presence of the king and the princes, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has committed iniquity against not only the king but also against all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
Amplified BibleAnd Memucan answered in the presence of the king and the officials, “Vashti the queen has not only wronged the king but [also] all the officials (royal representatives) and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
Christian Standard BibleMemucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the officials and the peoples who are in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces.
Holman Christian Standard BibleMemucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the officials and the peoples who are in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces.
American Standard VersionAnd Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
Contemporary English VersionThen Memucan told the king and the officials: Your Majesty, Queen Vashti has not only embarrassed you, but she has insulted your officials and everyone else in all the provinces.
English Revised VersionAnd Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen Memucan spoke up in the presence of the king and the officials, "Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the officials and all the people in every province of King Xerxes.
Good News TranslationThen Memucan declared to the king and his officials: "Queen Vashti has insulted not only the king but also his officials--in fact, every man in the empire!
International Standard VersionThen Memucan replied in the presence of the king and his officials, "It is not the king alone whom Vashti has wronged, but rather all of the officials and all of the people who are in the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
NET BibleMemucan then replied to the king and the officials, "The wrong of Queen Vashti is not against the king alone, but against all the officials and all the people who are throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
New Heart English BibleMemucan answered before the king and the officials, "Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the officials and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Achshayarsh.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd in the presence of the king and his princes, Memucan replied, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King Xerxes.
World English BibleMemucan answered before the king and the princes, “Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Memucan says before the king and the heads, “Queen Vashti has not done perversely against the king by himself, but against all the heads, and against all the peoples that [are] in all provinces of King Ahasuerus;
Young's Literal Translation And Memucan saith before the king and the heads, 'Not against the king by himself hath Vashti the queen done perversely, but against all the heads, and against all the peoples that are in all provinces of the king Ahasuerus;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Memucan will say before the king, Not against the king alone did Vashti the queen do evil, but against all the chiefs and against all the peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Mamuchan answered, in the hearing of the king and the princes: Queen Vasthi hath not only injured the king, but also all the people and princes that are in all the provinces of king Assuerus.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd Memucan answered, in the hearing of the king as well as the rulers, “Queen Vashti has wounded not only the king, but also all the people and the leaders, who are in all the provinces of king Artaxerxes.
New American Bible
In the presence of the king and of the officials, Memucan answered: “Queen Vashti has not wronged the king alone, but all the officials and the populace throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
New Revised Standard Version
Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, “Not only has Queen Vashti done wrong to the king, but also to all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
And Meaucan said before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen has not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of King Akhshirash.
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Mukan said before the King and before the Princes: “It was not the King only that Vashti the Queen has despised, but all the Nobles and all the people in all the provinces of King Akhashiresh.OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: 'Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples, that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Muchaeus said to the king and to the princes, Queen Astin has not wronged the king only, but also all the king's rulers and princes:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Queen Vashti Deposed… 15“According to law,” he asked, “what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey the command of King Xerxes delivered by the eunuchs?” 16And in the presenceof the kingand his princes,Memucanreplied,“QueenVashtihas wrongednotonlythe king,butallthe princesand the peoplesin allthe provincesof KingXerxes.17For the conduct of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’…
Cross References Esther 2:1Some time later, when the anger of King Xerxes had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done, and what had been decreed against her.
Esther 3:6And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.
Esther 7:9-10Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said: “There is a gallows fifty cubits high at Haman’s house. He had it built for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king.” “Hang him on it!” declared the king. / So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.
Esther 8:1-2That same day King Xerxes awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai entered the king’s presence because Esther had revealed his relation to her. / The king removed the signet ring he had recovered from Haman and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai over the estate of Haman.
Esther 9:25But when it came before the king, he commanded by letter that the wicked scheme which Haman had devised against the Jews should come back upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
Daniel 6:24At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
1 Samuel 15:23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
2 Samuel 6:16As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.
1 Kings 1:16-21And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?” / “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’ / But now, behold, Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know it. ...
Proverbs 19:19A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
Proverbs 21:9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Proverbs 25:24Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Proverbs 31:10-12A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
Matthew 5:32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 19:8Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning.
Treasury of Scripture And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen has not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. Vashti. done wrong. Acts 18:14
And when Paul was now about to openhis mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, Oye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: Acts 25:10
Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 1 Corinthians 6:7,8
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rathersuffer yourselves to be defrauded? … Jump to Previous AhasuerusAhasu-E'rusMemucanMemu'canNoblesPeoplesPresencePrincesProvincesQueenVashtiWrongWrongedXerxesJump to Next AhasuerusAhasu-E'rusMemucanMemu'canNoblesPeoplesPresencePrincesProvincesQueenVashtiWrongWrongedXerxesEsther 1 1.Xerxes makes royal feasts.10.Vashti, sent for, refuses to come.13.Xerxes, by the counsel of Memucan, puts away Vashti, and decrees men's sovereignty.And in the presence of the king and his princesThis phrase sets the scene in the royal court of King Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus. The presence of the king and his princes indicates a formal and authoritative setting, where decisions of great importance are made. The Persian Empire was vast, and the king's court was a place of significant political power. The gathering of the princes suggests a council of advisors, reflecting the hierarchical structure of the empire. This setting underscores the gravity of the situation being addressed. Memucan replied
Memucan is one of the seven princes of Persia and Media who had access to the king's presence and were considered wise men of the kingdom. His role as a counselor highlights the importance of wisdom and counsel in leadership, a theme echoed inProverbs 11:14, which emphasizes the value of guidance in achieving success. Memucan's response is pivotal, as it sets the course for the events that follow in the narrative. “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king
This accusation against Queen Vashti reflects the cultural expectations of the time, where the king's authority was absolute, and any defiance was seen as a serious offense. Vashti's refusal to appear before the king is interpreted as a personal affront to his authority. This situation illustrates the patriarchal nature of ancient Persian society, where the king's word was law, and the queen's role was largely ceremonial and submissive. but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King Xerxes
Memucan expands the scope of Vashti's perceived wrongdoing to include not just the king but also the entire empire. This hyperbolic statement suggests that her actions could set a dangerous precedent, potentially leading to widespread insubordination among women throughout the provinces. The mention of "all the provinces" highlights the vastness of Xerxes' empire, which stretched from India to Ethiopia, encompassing diverse cultures and peoples. This reflects the interconnectedness of the empire and the potential impact of royal actions on its stability. The concern for order and respect within the family unit is a theme that resonates with biblical teachings on authority and submission, as seen inEphesians 5:22-24. Persons / Places / Events 1. King Xerxes (Ahasuerus)The Persian king who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Cush. He is central to the events of the Book of Esther. 2. Queen VashtiThe queen who refused King Xerxes' command to appear before him and his guests, leading to her removal from her position. 3. MemucanOne of the seven princes of Persia and Media who advised King Xerxes. He suggested that Vashti's disobedience could set a precedent for other women in the kingdom. 4. The Princes of Persia and MediaHigh-ranking officials who were present at the king's banquet and were part of the decision-making process regarding Vashti's fate. 5. The Provinces of King XerxesThe vast empire over which King Xerxes ruled, highlighting the widespread impact of the king's decisions. Teaching Points The Importance of Respect for AuthorityMemucan's response highlights the significance of respecting authority, a principle that is echoed throughout Scripture. Disobedience can have far-reaching consequences. The Influence of LeadershipLeaders' decisions impact not only themselves but also those they lead. This calls for wisdom and discernment in leadership roles. The Role of CounselMemucan's advice to the king shows the importance of seeking wise counsel. Proverbs frequently emphasizes the value of wise advisors. Consequences of DisobedienceVashti's refusal to obey the king's command serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of disobedience, both in personal and communal contexts. The Sovereignty of GodEven in the midst of human decisions and actions, God's sovereign plan is at work, as seen throughout the Book of Esther. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Esther 1
Who was Queen Vashti in the Bible?
What did Esther mean by 'If I perish, I perish'?
Why is there no external historical or archaeological evidence confirming the events in Esther 1?
What is the main plot of the Book of Esther?(16) Answered before the king.--Memuean, like a true courtier, gives palatable advice to his master, by counsel which is the true echo of the king's angry question. Done wrong.--Literally,dealt unfairly. Verse 16. - And Memucan answered. We gather from Memucan's reply that the Persian law had provided no penalty for the case in hand - had, in fact, not contemplated it. He first argues the matter on general grounds of morality (ver. 16) and expediency (vers. 17, 18), and then proposes the enactment of a new law - a privilegium - assigning Vashti a special punishment for her contempt of the king's order. The " decree" (ver. 20) would not have been necessary had there already existed a law on the point. Vashti, the queen, hath not done wrong to the king only. With the servility to be expected in an Oriental and a courtier, Memucan throws himself wholly on the king's side - insinuates no word of blame against his royal master, on whom in justice the whole blame rested; but sets himself to make the worst he can of Vashti's conduct, which (he says) was a wrong not to Ahasuerus only, but to the whole male population of the empire, the princes included, who must expect their wives to throw off all subjection, in imitation of the queen's example, if her conduct were allowed to go unpunished. As such a condition of things would be intolerable, the king is urged to disgrace her publicly.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew And in the presenceלִפְנֵ֤י(lip̄·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceof the kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingand his princes,וְהַשָּׂרִ֔ים(wə·haś·śā·rîm)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8269:Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, princeMemucanמְמוּכָ֗ן(mə·mū·ḵān)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4462:Memucan -- a prince of Persia and Mediareplied,וַיֹּ֣אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Queenהַמַּלְכָּ֑ה(ham·mal·kāh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4436:Queen -- a queenVashtiוַשְׁתִּ֣י(waš·tî)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2060:Vashti -- queen of Pershas wrongedעָוְתָ֖ה(‘ā·wə·ṯāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5753:To bend, twistnotלֹ֤א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noonlyלְבַדּ֔וֹ(lə·ḇad·dōw)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 905:Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief ofthe king,הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingbutכִּ֤י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionallכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe princesהַשָּׂרִים֙(haś·śā·rîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8269:Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, princeand the peoplesהָ֣עַמִּ֔ים(hā·‘am·mîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockin allכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe provincesמְדִינ֖וֹת(mə·ḏî·nō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4082:A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a regionof Kingהַמֶּ֥לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingXerxes.אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ׃(’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 325:Ahasuerus -- king of Persia
Links Esther 1:16 NIVEsther 1:16 NLTEsther 1:16 ESVEsther 1:16 NASBEsther 1:16 KJV
Esther 1:16 BibleApps.comEsther 1:16 Biblia ParalelaEsther 1:16 Chinese BibleEsther 1:16 French BibleEsther 1:16 Catholic Bible
OT History: Esther 1:16 Memucan answered before the king and (Est Esth. Es) |
