King James Version

What Does Esther 1:10 Mean?

Esther 1:10 in the King James Version says “On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and A...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“On 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 served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, chamberlains: or, eunuchs”

Esther 1:10 · KJV

Context

8

And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.

9

Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.

10

On 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 served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, chamberlains: or, eunuchs

11

To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. fair: Heb. good of countenance

12

But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. by his: Heb. which was by the hand of his eunuchs

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
On 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 served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, The phrase "when the heart of the king was merry with wine" (k'tov lev-hamelekh b'yayin, כְּטוֹב לֵב־הַמֶּלֶךְ בַּיָּיִן) euphemistically describes drunkenness. The idiom "heart was merry" suggests impaired judgment, lowered inhibitions, and compromised reasoning—conditions for poor decisions. The timing on the "seventh day" indicates sustained excessive drinking throughout the feast, cumulating in this drunken command.

The narrative names seven eunuch chamberlains (sarisim, סָרִיסִים), emphasizing the formality and official nature of the summons. These names—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas—are Persian, demonstrating the author's knowledge of court life. The specific number seven reflects Persian administrative structure: Esther 1:14 mentions seven princes who "saw the king's face," and Persian administrative texts document seven-member councils. Each eunuch likely held specific responsibilities in the royal household.

The designation "chamberlains that served in the presence of the king" (hameshartim et-p'nei hamelekh, הַמְשָׁרְתִים אֶת־פְּנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ) indicates trusted personal attendants with access to both the king and the queen's quarters. Using multiple officials for this summons emphasizes its formal, official character—not a casual request but a royal command. This detail heightens the seriousness of Vashti's refusal: she rejected not merely a drunken husband's whim but an official royal decree delivered by seven witnesses.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Court eunuchs held crucial positions in ancient Near Eastern royal households, particularly in Persia. Castration created dependence on royal favor (no family dynasty to pursue) and allowed access to women's quarters without sexual risk. Greek sources describe Persian court eunuchs wielding significant power, sometimes acting as king-makers during succession crises. The Bible mentions eunuchs in various contexts (2 Kings 20:18; Isaiah 39:7; Daniel 1:3), reflecting their prominence in ancient court systems.

The specific number seven resonates with Persian administrative practices. Herodotus describes seven Persian nobles who overthrew the usurper Smerdis and elevated Darius I. These "seven families" of Persia maintained privileged status, including automatic access to the king (Esther 1:14). The number seven carried symbolic significance in Persian culture, reflected in administrative structures. The use of seven eunuchs for this summons paralleled the seven noble counselors who later advised the king (v. 14).

Wine's role in precipitating poor royal decisions appears throughout ancient literature. Biblical examples include Noah (Genesis 9:21), Lot (Genesis 19:33), and Belshazzar (Daniel 5). The pattern of excessive drinking leading to moral compromise and political crisis recurs across cultures and eras. Persian kings' legendary drinking, described by Greek historians, created vulnerability to manipulation and poor judgment, as demonstrated here.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage teach about alcohol's effects on judgment, self-control, and moral reasoning?
  2. How should believers distinguish between legitimate authority that deserves submission and illegitimate demands that require resistance?
  3. What principles guide Christian response when procedurally correct authority makes morally wrong demands?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
בַּיּוֹם֙1 of 21

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י2 of 21

“On the seventh”

H7637

seventh

כְּט֥וֹב3 of 21

“was merry”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לֵב4 of 21

“when the heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ5 of 21

“of the king”

H4428

a king

בַּיָּ֑יִן6 of 21

“with wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

אָמַ֡ר7 of 21

“he commanded”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִ֠מְהוּמָן8 of 21

“Mehuman”

H4104

mehuman, a eunuch of xerxes

בִּזְּתָ֨א9 of 21

“Biztha”

H968

biztha, a eunuch of xerxes

חַרְבוֹנָ֜א10 of 21

“Harbona”

H2726

charbona or charbonah, a eunuch of xerxes

בִּגְתָ֤א11 of 21

“Bigtha”

H903

bigtha, a eunuch of xerxes

וַֽאֲבַגְתָא֙12 of 21

“and Abagtha”

H5

abagtha, a eunuch of xerxes

זֵתַ֣ר13 of 21

“Zethar”

H2242

zethar, a eunuch of xerxes

וְכַרְכַּ֔ס14 of 21

“and Carcas”

H3752

karkas, a eunuch of xerxes

שִׁבְעַת֙15 of 21

“the seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

הַסָּ֣רִיסִ֔ים16 of 21

“chamberlains”

H5631

a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state

הַמְשָׁ֣רְתִ֔ים17 of 21

“that served”

H8334

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

אֶת18 of 21
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

פְּנֵ֖י19 of 21

“in the presence”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ20 of 21

“of the king”

H4428

a king

אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ׃21 of 21

“of Ahasuerus”

H325

achashverosh (i.e., ahasuerus or artaxerxes, but in this case xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a persian king

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Esther. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Esther 1:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Esther 1:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 7:9Judges 16:252 Samuel 13:28Proverbs 20:1Ecclesiastes 7:2-4Genesis 43:34

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