King James Version

What Does Esther 1:17 Mean?

Esther 1:17 in the King James Version says “For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, wh...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.”

Esther 1:17 · KJV

Context

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.

17

For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

18

Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.

19

If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. If it: Heb. If it be good with the king unto: Heb. unto her companion from him: Heb. from before him be not: Heb. pass not away

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Feared contagion: 'For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not'. Memucan predicts Vashti's example will spread, causing widespread wifely disobedience. The fear that news of queen's successful resistance would inspire other women reveals insecurity about patriarchal control. This exaggerated concern provided political justification for severe punishment, though real motivation was protecting male authority. Ironically, this decision orchestrated by men fearful of losing control ultimately empowered Esther to save her people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient communication networks spread news throughout empires through merchants, official messengers, and travelers. The counselors' fear that Vashti's resistance would be widely known and imitated shows both the reality of ancient gossip networks and patriarchal anxiety. The logic—if the king's own wife can refuse with impunity, all wives will rebel—assumes obedience is maintained only through fear of punishment, not mutual respect or love. This reveals the coercive foundation of ancient patriarchy and explains the counselors' determination to make severe example of Vashti.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does fear of losing control lead to excessive responses and unjust punishments?
  2. What does this teach about the difference between authority maintained by coercion versus that earned through respect?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כִּֽי1 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יֵצֵ֤א2 of 21

“shall come abroad”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

דְבַר3 of 21

“For this deed”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה4 of 21

“of the queen”

H4436

a queen

עַל5 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל6 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַנָּשִׁ֔ים7 of 21

“unto all women”

H802

a woman

לְהַבְז֥וֹת8 of 21

“so that they shall despise”

H959

to disesteem

בַּעְלֵיהֶ֖ן9 of 21

“their husbands”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ן10 of 21

“in their eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אָמַ֞ר11 of 21

“commanded”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ12 of 21

“The king”

H4428

a king

אֲחַשְׁוֵר֡וֹשׁ13 of 21

“Ahasuerus”

H325

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

אָמַ֞ר14 of 21

“commanded”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בָֽאָה׃15 of 21

“him but she came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת16 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַשְׁתִּ֧י17 of 21

“Vashti”

H2060

vashti, the queen of xerxes

הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה18 of 21

“of the queen”

H4436

a queen

לְפָנָ֖יו19 of 21

“before”

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

וְלֹא20 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

בָֽאָה׃21 of 21

“him but she came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

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 1:17 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 1:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 5:332 Samuel 6:16

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