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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Esther 1:20 The edict the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom--and so all women, from the least to the greatest, will honor their husbands."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/esther/1-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/17_Est_01_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Esther 1:20 - Queen Vashti Deposed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The edict the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom--and so all women, from the least to the greatest, will honor 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/esther/1-19.htm" title="Esther 1:19">◄</a> Esther 1:20 <a href="/esther/1-21.htm" title="Esther 1:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/esther/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/esther/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then when the king&#8217s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/esther/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When this decree is published throughout the king’s vast empire, husbands everywhere, whatever their rank, will receive proper respect from their wives!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/esther/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, for it is vast, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/esther/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The edict the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom—and so all women, from the least to the greatest, will honor their husbands.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/esther/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/esther/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/esther/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the king’s edict which he will make is heard throughout his kingdom, great as it is, then all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/esther/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220When the king&#8217s edict which he will make is heard throughout all his kingdom, great as it is, then all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/esther/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And when the king’s edict which he shall make is heard throughout all his kingdom, great as it is, then all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/esther/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the king’s sentence, which he will make, will be heard throughout all his kingdom, for it is vast, and all women will give respect to their husbands, great and small.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/esther/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So when the king’s great decree is proclaimed throughout his [extensive] kingdom, all women will give honor to their husbands, from the great to the insignificant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/esther/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom, so all women will honor their husbands, from the greatest to the least.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/esther/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom, so all women will honor their husbands, from the least to the greatest.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/esther/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/esther/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When the women in your great kingdom hear about this new law, they will respect their husbands, no matter if they are rich or poor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/esther/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his kingdom, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/esther/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When you issue your decree, your whole kingdom, great as it is, will hear it. Then all the wives will honor their husbands, regardless of their status."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/esther/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When your proclamation is made known all over this huge empire, every woman will treat her husband with proper respect, whether he's rich or poor." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/esther/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When the edict of the king that he issues is heard throughout his kingdom—for it's vast—then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the greatest to the least important."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/esther/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The edict the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom—and so all women, from the least to the greatest, will honor their husbands.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/esther/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And let the king's decision which he will enact be disseminated throughout all his kingdom, vast though it is. Then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the most prominent to the lowly." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/esther/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When the king's decree which he shall make is published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give their husbands honor, both great and small."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/esther/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/esther/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When the king’s decree which he shall make is published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give their husbands honor, both great and small.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/esther/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the sentence of the king that he makes has been heard in all his kingdom—for it [is] great—and all the wives give honor to their husbands, from great even to small.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/esther/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the sentence of the king that he maketh hath been heard in all his kingdom -- for it is great -- and all the wives give honour to their husbands, from great even unto small.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/esther/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the decree of the king which he shall make being heard in all his kingdom, (for it is great,) and all the women shall give honor to their husbands, to the great and even to the small.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/esther/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And let this be published through all the provinces of thy empire, (which is very wide,) and let all wives, as well of the greater as of the lesser, give honour to their husbands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/esther/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 3:20>And let this be published in all the provinces of your empire, (which is very wide,) and let all wives, the greater as much as the lesser, give honor to their husbands.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/esther/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Thus, when the decree that the king will issue is published throughout his realm, vast as it is, all wives will honor their husbands, from the greatest to the least.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/esther/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, vast as it is, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/esther/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the king's decree shall be proclaimed and published throughout all his empire (for it is great), that all wives shall give honor to their husbands, both great and small.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/esther/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the response of the King will be heard and it shall travel into all the kingdom, because it is great, and all the women will do honor to their husbands, from great to small.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/esther/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his kingdom, great though it be, all the wives will give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/esther/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And let the law of the king which he shall have made, be widely proclaimed, in his kingdom: and so shall all the women give honour to their husbands, from the poor even to the rich.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/esther/1-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRosJDhNG-8?start=237" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/esther/1.htm">Queen Vashti Deposed</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6599.htm" title="6599: piṯ·ḡām (N-msc) -- An edict, decree. Of Persian origin; a sentence.">The edict</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ya·‘ă·śeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">issues</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: wə·niš·ma‘ (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">will be heard</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">throughout</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bāh (Adj-fs) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">his vast</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4438.htm" title="4438: mal·ḵū·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom. Or malkuth; or malkuyah; from malak; a rule; concretely, a dominion.">kingdom—</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">and so</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: han·nā·šîm (Art:: N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">women,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6996.htm" title="6996: qā·ṭān (Adj-ms) -- Small, young, unimportant. Or qaton; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally or figuratively.">from the least</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: wə·‘aḏ- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: lə·mig·gā·ḏō·wl (Prep-l, Prep-m:: Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">the greatest,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: yit·tə·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">will honor</a> <a href="/hebrew/3366.htm" title="3366: yə·qār (N-ms) -- Preciousness, price, honor. From yaqar; value, i.e. wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1167.htm" title="1167: lə·ḇa‘·lê·hen (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3fp) -- Owner, lord. From ba'al; a master; hence, a husband, or owner.">their husbands.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so the king did as Memucan had advised.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/2-17.htm">Esther 2:17-18</a></span><br />And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she found grace and favor in his sight more than all of the other virgins. So he placed the royal crown upon her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. / Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax holiday in the provinces and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/3-12.htm">Esther 3:12-14</a></span><br />On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring. / And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month. / A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready on that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/8-8.htm">Esther 8:8</a></span><br />Now you may write in the king’s name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-8.htm">Daniel 6:8-9</a></span><br />Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” / Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-15.htm">Daniel 6:15</a></span><br />Then the men approached the king together and said to him, “Remember, O king, that by the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or ordinance established by the king can be changed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/3-29.htm">Daniel 3:29</a></span><br />Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be cut into pieces and their houses reduced to rubble. For there is no other god who can deliver in this way.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">1 Peter 3:1</a></span><br />Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">Ephesians 5:22-24</a></span><br />Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Colossians 3:18</a></span><br />Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-34.htm">1 Corinthians 14:34-35</a></span><br />Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. / If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-11.htm">1 Timothy 2:11-12</a></span><br />A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. / I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10-12</a></span><br />A 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-30.htm">Proverbs 31:30-31</a></span><br />Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. / Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Genesis 3:16</a></span><br />To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/2-4.htm">Titus 2:4-5</a></span><br />In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, / to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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 honor, both to great and small.</p><p class="hdg">throughout.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/17-13.htm">Deuteronomy 17:13</a></b></br> And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/21-21.htm">Deuteronomy 21:21</a></b></br> And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.</p><p class="hdg">all the wives.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/5-33.htm">Ephesians 5:33</a></b></br> Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife <i>see</i> that she reverence <i>her</i> husband.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Colossians 3:18</a></b></br> Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">1 Peter 3:1-7</a></b></br> Likewise, ye wives, <i>be</i> in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/7-21.htm">Decree</a> <a href="/esther/1-19.htm">Edict</a> <a href="/acts/24-5.htm">Empire</a> <a href="/esther/1-5.htm">Great</a> <a href="/esther/1-18.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-28.htm">High</a> <a href="/esther/1-4.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/esther/1-4.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/esther/1-17.htm">Husbands</a> <a href="/esther/1-14.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/esther/1-18.htm">King's</a> <a href="/ezra/9-5.htm">Low</a> <a href="/esther/1-11.htm">Order</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-15.htm">Proclaimed</a> <a href="/ezra/10-7.htm">Public</a> <a href="/romans/9-17.htm">Published</a> <a href="/ezra/7-23.htm">Realm</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/19-7.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/esther/1-5.htm">Small</a> <a href="/ezra/10-7.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/esther/1-4.htm">Vast</a> <a href="/esther/1-18.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/esther/1-18.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/esther/2-8.htm">Decree</a> <a href="/esther/3-14.htm">Edict</a> <a href="/esther/10-1.htm">Empire</a> <a href="/esther/2-18.htm">Great</a> <a href="/esther/2-8.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/esther/5-14.htm">High</a> <a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-6.htm">Husbands</a> <a href="/esther/2-3.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/esther/1-22.htm">King's</a> <a href="/job/5-11.htm">Low</a> <a href="/esther/2-1.htm">Order</a> <a href="/esther/2-18.htm">Proclaimed</a> <a href="/esther/3-14.htm">Public</a> <a href="/esther/1-22.htm">Published</a> <a href="/daniel/1-20.htm">Realm</a> <a href="/job/12-5.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/job/3-19.htm">Small</a> <a href="/esther/2-18.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/esther/5-11.htm">Vast</a> <a href="/psalms/50-18.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/esther/2-2.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Esther 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/1-1.htm">Xerxes makes royal feasts.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/1-10.htm">Vashti, sent for, refuses to come.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/1-13.htm">Xerxes, by the counsel of Memucan, puts away Vashti, and decrees men's sovereignty.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/esther/1.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>The king’s edict</b><br />The term "edict" refers to a formal proclamation or command issued by a sovereign authority. In the context of the Persian Empire, such decrees were absolute and irrevocable, reflecting the king's ultimate power. Historically, Persian kings were known for their extensive administrative systems, which allowed them to communicate their decrees across vast territories. This highlights the seriousness and authority behind the king's command, emphasizing the weight of royal decrees in ancient times.<p><b>will be proclaimed</b><br />The act of proclamation suggests a public announcement meant to reach a wide audience. In ancient Persia, proclamations were often delivered by heralds or through written documents distributed across the empire. This method ensured that the king's commands were known and adhered to by all subjects, illustrating the organized and far-reaching nature of Persian governance.<p><b>throughout his vast kingdom</b><br />The phrase "vast kingdom" underscores the extensive reach of the Persian Empire, which, at its height, stretched from India to Ethiopia. This vastness signifies not only the geographical expanse but also the diversity of cultures and peoples under Persian rule. The ability to enforce an edict across such a wide area demonstrates the centralized power and administrative efficiency of the empire.<p><b>so that all women will honor their husbands</b><br />This part of the verse reflects the cultural and societal norms of the time, where patriarchal structures were prevalent. The emphasis on women honoring their husbands aligns with the broader biblical theme of family order and respect within the household. It also mirrors the societal expectations of ancient Persia, where family hierarchy was an essential aspect of social stability.<p><b>from the least to the greatest</b><br />This phrase indicates the universal application of the edict, affecting every social class within the kingdom. It underscores the idea that the king's command was meant to establish a standard of behavior that transcended social and economic boundaries. In a biblical context, this reflects the notion that divine or royal laws apply equally to all individuals, regardless of their status, reinforcing the idea of unity and order within the kingdom.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/esther/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The king's decree</span>. The "commandment" of the preceding verse is here given the formal name of <span class="accented">pithgam</span>, "decree," which is a Persian word, used also in Ezra (<a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Ezra 4:17</a>; <a href="/ezra/5-7.htm">Ezra 5:7, 11</a>). <span class="cmt_word">For it is great</span>. These words seem at first sight superfluous. Perhaps their force is this - Let a decree be made, and then, great as the empire is, the lesson will be taught to all: otherwise there will be many to whom it will never penetrate. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/esther/1-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The edict</span><br /><span class="heb">פִּתְגָ֨ם</span> <span class="translit">(piṯ·ḡām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6599.htm">Strong's 6599: </a> </span><span class="str2">An edict, decree</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">issues</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲשֶׂה֙</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be heard</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנִשְׁמַע֩</span> <span class="translit">(wə·niš·ma‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">throughout</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his vast</span><br /><span class="heb">רַבָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(rab·bāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">kingdom—</span><br /><span class="heb">מַלְכוּת֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(mal·ḵū·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4438.htm">Strong's 4438: </a> </span><span class="str2">Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and so</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">women,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנָּשִׁ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(han·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the least</span><br /><span class="heb">קָטָֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(qā·ṭān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6996.htm">Strong's 6996: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small, young, unimportant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַד־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the greatest,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמִגָּד֖וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·mig·gā·ḏō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will honor</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתְּנ֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yit·tə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their husbands.”</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבַעְלֵיהֶ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇa‘·lê·hen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1167.htm">Strong's 1167: </a> </span><span class="str2">A master, a husband, owner</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/esther/1-20.htm">Esther 1:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/esther/1-20.htm">Esther 1:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/esther/1-20.htm">Esther 1:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/esther/1-20.htm">Esther 1:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/esther/1-20.htm">Esther 1:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/esther/1-20.htm">Esther 1:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/esther/1-20.htm">Esther 1:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/esther/1-20.htm">Esther 1:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/esther/1-20.htm">Esther 1:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/esther/1-20.htm">Esther 1:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/esther/1-20.htm">OT History: Esther 1:20 When the king's decree which he shall (Est Esth. Es) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/esther/1-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Esther 1:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Esther 1:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/esther/1-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Esther 1:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Esther 1:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>