King James Version

What Does Esther 1:18 Mean?

Esther 1:18 in the King James Version says “Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of ... — study this verse from Esther chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Esther 1:18 · KJV


Context

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

20

And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Predicted consequences: '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'. The counselors predict noble women throughout the empire will cite Vashti's example in resisting their husbands, creating 'contempt and wrath'—wives despising husbands, husbands angry at wives' defiance. This forecast of domestic chaos throughout the empire provided compelling argument for severe action against Vashti. The counselors' reasoning, though exaggerated and misogynistic, became mechanism for her removal and Esther's elevation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase 'this day' emphasizes immediacy—the deed is already known and its effects beginning. Ancient Mediterranean culture was honor-shame based, making public respect crucial to male authority. The counselors' concern wasn't merely about domestic convenience but about fundamental social order as they understood it. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Near Eastern societies maintained strict gender hierarchies through law, custom, and force. The counselors' argument that Vashti's example threatened this entire system reveals both how fragile coercive authority is and how God uses even unjust social structures to accomplish His purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the counselors' fear reveal about authorities that depend on coercion rather than genuine leadership?
  2. How does God's use of this unjust reasoning demonstrate His sovereignty even over human prejudice and patriarchal excess?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְֽהַיּ֨וֹם1 of 17

this 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

הַזֶּ֜ה2 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

תֹּאמַ֣רְנָה׀3 of 17

say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׂר֣וֹת4 of 17

Likewise shall the ladies

H8282

a mistress, i.e., female noble

פָּֽרַס5 of 17

of Persia

H6539

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

וּמָדַ֗י6 of 17

and Media

H4074

madai, a country of central asia

אֲשֶׁ֤ר7 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָֽׁמְעוּ֙8 of 17

which have heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת9 of 17
H853

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

דְּבַ֣ר10 of 17

of the deed

H1697

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

הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה11 of 17

of the queen

H4436

a queen

לְכֹ֖ל12 of 17
H3605

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

שָׂרֵ֣י13 of 17

princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ14 of 17

unto all the king's

H4428

a king

וּכְדַ֖י15 of 17

Thus shall there arise too much

H1767

enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases

בִּזָּי֥וֹן16 of 17

contempt

H963

disesteem

וָקָֽצֶף׃17 of 17

and wrath

H7110

a splinter (as chipped off)


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 1:18 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 1:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study