King James Version

What Does Esther 1:14 Mean?

Esther 1:14 in the King James Version says “And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)”

Esther 1:14 · KJV

Context

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

13

Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:

14

And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)

15

What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? What: Heb. What to do

16

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 people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The seven princes: 'And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom'. These seven princes formed Persia's highest advisory council with special access to the king ('saw the king's face'). The number seven reflects Persian administrative structure documented in ancient sources. These counselors' advice would determine Vashti's fate and inadvertently create opportunity for Esther's rise. Their counsel, though motivated by maintaining male dominance, became instrument of divine providence positioning Esther to save the Jews.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Herodotus mentions seven Persian noble families who participated in overthrowing a usurper and elevating Darius I. These families maintained special privileges including unrestricted access to the king. Ancient Persian inscriptions confirm administrative councils, though specific number varies. The seven princes' counsel carried enormous weight—their recommendations typically became royal policy. That these powerful nobles concerned themselves with what might seem domestic squabble shows they recognized broader political implications of queen's public disobedience to king's command—if unpunished, it might encourage broader disobedience to royal authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the involvement of highest officials in seemingly personal matters teach about how private and public spheres intersect?
  2. How does this demonstrate God's sovereignty over highest human powers and counselors?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְהַקָּרֹ֣ב1 of 19

“And the next”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

אֵלָ֗יו2 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כַּרְשְׁנָ֤א3 of 19

“unto him was Carshena”

H3771

karshena, a courtier of xerxes

שֵׁתָר֙4 of 19

“Shethar”

H8369

shethar, a persian satrap

אַדְמָ֣תָא5 of 19

“Admatha”

H133

admatha, a persian nobleman

תַרְשִׁ֔ישׁ6 of 19

“Tarshish”

H8659

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

מֶ֥רֶס7 of 19

“Meres”

H4825

meres, a persian

מַרְסְנָ֖א8 of 19

“Marsena”

H4826

marsena, a persian

מְמוּכָ֑ן9 of 19

“and Memucan”

H4462

memucan or momucan, a persian satrap

שִׁבְעַ֞ת10 of 19

“the seven”

H7651

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

שָׂרֵ֣י׀11 of 19

“princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

פָּרַ֣ס12 of 19

“of Persia”

H6539

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants

וּמָדַ֗י13 of 19

“and Media”

H4074

madai, a country of central asia

רֹאֵי֙14 of 19

“which saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

פְּנֵ֣י15 of 19

“face”

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

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ16 of 19

“the king's”

H4428

a king

הַיֹּֽשְׁבִ֥ים17 of 19

“and which sat”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

רִֽאשֹׁנָ֖ה18 of 19

“the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

בַּמַּלְכֽוּת׃19 of 19

“in the kingdom”

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

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 1:14 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 1:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 25:19Ezra 7:14Matthew 18:10Revelation 22:4

Places in This Verse

MediaRegion · Modern: Tell Hagmatana · 34.81°N, 48.52°E11 verses across 5 books
PersiaRegion · Modern: Tell Hagmatana · 34.81°N, 48.52°E27 verses across 5 books
View all places in Esther 1 →

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