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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 1:8 By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/esther/1-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/17_Est_01_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Esther 1:8 - Xerxes' Royal Feast" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/esther/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/esther/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the drinking was <i>done</i> according to the <i>royal</i> law; there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household, that he was to do as each person pleased.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/esther/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The drinking was done according to the law, there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household that he should do according to the desires of each person.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/esther/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the drinking was <i>done</i> according to the law, there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household that he should do according to the desires of each person.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/esther/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the drinking was <i>done</i> according to the law; there was no compulsion, for so the king had established <i>it</i> for each official of his household—that he should do according to what pleased each person.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/esther/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The drinking was <i>carried on</i> in accordance with the law; no one was compelled [to drink], for the king had directed each official of his household to comply with each guest’s wishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/esther/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The drinking was according to royal decree: “There are no restrictions.” The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve whatever each person wanted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/esther/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and no restraint was placed on the drinking. The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve as much as each person wanted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/esther/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the drinking was according to the law; none could compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/esther/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and said to them, "Drink all you want!" Then he told his servants, "Keep their cups full." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/esther/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the drinking was according to the law; none could compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/esther/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The drinking followed this rule: Drink as you please. (The king had ordered all the waiters in his palace to let everyone do as he pleased.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/esther/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />There were no limits on the drinks; the king had given orders to the palace servants that everyone could have as much as they wanted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/esther/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />According to the king's decree the drinking was not compulsory because the king instructed every steward in his house to serve each individual what he desired. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/esther/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/esther/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />There were no restrictions on the drinking, for the king had instructed all of his supervisors that they should do as everyone so desired.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/esther/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/esther/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the drinking was according to the law; none constrained: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/esther/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. <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 drinking [is] according to law, none is pressing, for so the king has appointed for every chief one of his house, to do according to the pleasure of man and man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/esther/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the drinking is according to law, none is pressing, for so hath the king appointed for every chief one of his house, to do according to the pleasure of man and man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/esther/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Giving to drink according to the edict; none compelling, for thus the king appointed to all the multitude of his house to do according to the desire of man and man.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/esther/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Neither was there any one to compel them to drink that were not willing, but as the king had appointed, who set over every table one of his nobles, that every man might take what he would. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/esther/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 3:8>Nor was anyone compelled to drink who was unwilling, but, just as the king had appointed, one of his nobles was set over each table, so that each one might select what he wanted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/esther/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />By ordinance of the king the drinking was unstinted, for he had instructed all the stewards of his household to comply with the good pleasure of everyone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/esther/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Drinking was by flagons, without restraint; for the king had given orders to all the officials of his palace to do as each one desired.<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 drinking was according to the law; none did compel; for so the king had commanded to all the stewards of his household, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/esther/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the drinking was by the law and there was none who compelled, because thus the King commanded all the Great ones in his house, that they would do the pleasure of every person.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/esther/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/esther/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And this banquet was not according to the appointed law; but so the king would have it: and he charged the stewards to perform his will and that of the company.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/esther/1-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRosJDhNG-8?start=82" 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">Xerxes' Royal Feast</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>Beverages were served in an array of goblets of gold, each with a different design, and the royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1881.htm" title="1881: ḵad·dāṯ (Prep-k, Art:: N-fs) -- Decree, law. Of uncertain derivation: a royal edict or statute.">By</a> <a href="/hebrew/3245.htm" title="3245: yis·saḏ (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to set; intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e. Settle, consult.">order</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">of the king,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/597.htm" title="597: ’ō·nês (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To compel, constrain. To insist.">limit was placed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: ḵên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8360.htm" title="8360: wə·haš·šə·ṯî·yāh (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- A drinking. Feminine of shthiy; potation.">on the drinking,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and every</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: raḇ (N-msc) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">official</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bê·ṯōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">of his household</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: la·‘ă·śō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">was to serve</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš- (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">each</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: wā·’îš (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/7522.htm" title="7522: kir·ṣō·wn (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Goodwill, favor, acceptance, will. Or ratson; from ratsah; delight.">whatever he desired.</a> </span><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="/daniel/5-1.htm">Daniel 5:1-4</a></span><br />Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. / Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. / Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-4.htm">Proverbs 31:4-5</a></span><br />It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, / lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:17</a></span><br />Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Isaiah 5:11-12</a></span><br />Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine. / At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">1 Peter 4:3</a></span><br />For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-13.htm">Romans 13:13</a></span><br />Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18</a></span><br />Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-31.htm">1 Corinthians 10:31</a></span><br />So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">1 Corinthians 6:12</a></span><br />“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Galatians 5:13</a></span><br />For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-23.htm">1 Timothy 5:23</a></span><br />Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Luke 21:34</a></span><br />But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-49.htm">Matthew 24:49</a></span><br />And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Genesis 9:20-21</a></span><br />Now Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. / But when he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and uncovered himself inside his tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/10-9.htm">Leviticus 10:9</a></span><br />“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">none did compel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/35-8.htm">Jeremiah 35:8</a></b></br> Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/51-7.htm">Jeremiah 51:7</a></b></br> Babylon <i>hath been</i> a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/habakkuk/2-15.htm">Habakkuk 2:15,16</a></b></br> Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to <i>him</i>, and makest <i>him</i> drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! … </p><p class="hdg">the officers.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/2-8.htm">John 2:8</a></b></br> And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare <i>it</i>.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/12-45.htm">Accordance</a> <a href="/ezra/7-24.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-31.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-28.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-45.htm">Command</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-5.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Compel</a> <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">Compelled</a> <a href="/exodus/6-1.htm">Compulsion</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">Constrained</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-2.htm">Constraint</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-24.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-37.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/esther/1-7.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-20.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/ezra/7-24.htm">Forced</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-29.htm">Guest</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-14.htm">House</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-8.htm">Household</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-5.htm">Instructed</a> <a href="/esther/1-7.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/esther/1-7.htm">King's</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-28.htm">Law</a> <a href="/ezekiel/38-13.htm">Magnates</a> <a href="/esther/1-3.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-19.htm">Official</a> <a href="/esther/1-3.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-9.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/esther/1-5.htm">Palace</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-37.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/exodus/5-13.htm">Pressing</a> <a href="/esther/1-3.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-35.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-4.htm">Stewards</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-18.htm">Way</a> <a href="/esther/1-7.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-18.htm">Wished</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/109-26.htm">Accordance</a> <a href="/esther/4-2.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/esther/2-15.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/job/12-24.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/esther/1-12.htm">Command</a> <a href="/esther/1-12.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/matthew/5-41.htm">Compel</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-13.htm">Compelled</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-37.htm">Compulsion</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-21.htm">Constrained</a> <a href="/job/36-16.htm">Constraint</a> <a href="/esther/2-13.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/esther/5-5.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/esther/3-15.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/esther/5-6.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/esther/8-14.htm">Forced</a> <a href="/esther/5-12.htm">Guest</a> <a href="/esther/1-9.htm">House</a> <a href="/job/1-3.htm">Household</a> <a href="/esther/2-10.htm">Instructed</a> <a href="/esther/9-21.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/esther/1-12.htm">King's</a> <a href="/esther/1-13.htm">Law</a> <a href="/ezekiel/38-13.htm">Magnates</a> <a href="/esther/2-3.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-11.htm">Official</a> <a href="/esther/2-18.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/esther/1-15.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/esther/1-9.htm">Palace</a> <a href="/esther/2-4.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/esther/3-9.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-33.htm">Pressing</a> <a href="/esther/1-12.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/job/21-15.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-1.htm">Stewards</a> <a href="/esther/1-13.htm">Way</a> <a href="/esther/1-10.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/job/9-3.htm">Wished</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 /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/esther/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/esther/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/esther/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>By order of the king</b><br>This phrase highlights the absolute authority of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), who ruled over the Persian Empire. His decrees were law, reflecting the centralized power typical of ancient Near Eastern monarchies. This authority is reminiscent of the absolute rule seen in other biblical kings, such as Nebuchadnezzar in <a href="/daniel/3-4.htm">Daniel 3:4-6</a>.<p><b>no limit was placed on the drinking</b><br>The lack of restriction on drinking indicates the opulence and indulgence of the Persian court. This reflects the cultural practices of the time, where feasting and drinking were common in royal celebrations. The absence of limits also suggests a contrast with biblical teachings on moderation and self-control, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/20.htm">Proverbs 20:1</a> and <a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18</a>.<p><b>and every official of his household</b><br>The mention of officials underscores the structured hierarchy within the Persian Empire. These officials were responsible for maintaining order and executing the king's commands. This mirrors the organized administration seen in other empires, such as the Roman centurions in the New Testament (<a href="/matthew/8-5.htm">Matthew 8:5-13</a>).<p><b>was to serve each man whatever he desired</b><br>This phrase illustrates the king's generosity and the lavishness of the feast. It also highlights the cultural emphasis on hospitality and the importance of honoring guests, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture, as seen in <a href="/genesis/18.htm">Genesis 18:1-8</a> with Abraham's hospitality to the three visitors. The freedom given to each guest to choose reflects the king's desire to please and impress his subjects and allies.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_ahasuerus.htm">King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I)</a></b><br>The Persian king who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush. He is hosting a grand banquet for all his officials and servants.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/susa.htm">Susa (Shushan)</a></b><br>The capital city of the Persian Empire where the events of the Book of Esther take place. It is the setting for the king's lavish banquet.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_banquet.htm">The Banquet</a></b><br>A significant event hosted by King Ahasuerus, lasting 180 days, followed by a seven-day feast for all people present in the citadel of Susa.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law_of_drinking.htm">The Law of Drinking</a></b><br>A unique decree during the banquet where drinking was not compulsory, allowing each guest to drink as much or as little as they desired.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/stewards_of_the_household.htm">Stewards of the Household</a></b><br>Servants instructed by the king to serve each guest according to their personal preference, highlighting the king's generosity and the freedom given to the guests.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/freedom_and_responsibility.htm">Freedom and Responsibility</a></b><br>The freedom given to the guests to drink as they desired reflects a balance between liberty and personal responsibility. As Christians, we are called to exercise our freedoms wisely and in a way that honors God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generosity_and_hospitality.htm">Generosity and Hospitality</a></b><br>King Ahasuerus' instructions to his stewards demonstrate a form of generosity and hospitality. Believers are encouraged to show hospitality and generosity, reflecting God's love to others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_context_and_influence.htm">Cultural Context and Influence</a></b><br>Understanding the cultural context of the Persian Empire helps us see how God's people were called to live distinctively within a foreign culture. Similarly, Christians today are called to live out their faith in diverse cultural settings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_influence.htm">Leadership and Influence</a></b><br>The king's decree shows his influence over his kingdom. As Christians, we are reminded of the influence we have in our spheres and the importance of leading by example.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_esther_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Esther 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_mordecai's_rise_in_esther_8_2.htm">What evidence exists that supports Mordecai's elevation to high authority in Esther 8:2, considering Persian records rarely reference Jewish officials?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_esther_7_4's_decree_reversal_credible.htm">Esther 7:4 - How credible is it that a royal decree ordering genocide could be issued and then so quickly reversed without any historical records corroborating it?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_gideon's_actions_align_with_his_refusal.htm">Judges 8:22-23: How do Gideon's actions after insisting he would not rule Israel align with his refusal of kingship?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_mordecai's_book_referenced.htm">Esther 10:2 - Why aren't the 'book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia' referenced by other sources if it so prominently features Mordecai?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/esther/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Law.</span>--Rather <span class= "ital">ordinance</span> or <span class= "ital">decree,</span> that is, specially put forth for this occasion. What this means is shown by what follows, namely, that the king had issued special orders to allow all to do as they pleased in the matter of drinking, instead of as usual compelling them to drink. This degrading habit is the more noticeable because the Persians were at first a nation of exceptionally temperate habits.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/esther/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The drinking was according to the law</span>. Rather, "according to <span class="accented">edict"</span> <span class="accented">-</span> the edict being the express order given by the king to all the officers of his household. It is implied that the usual custom was different - that the foolish practice prevailed of compelling men to drink. That the Persians were hard drinkers, and frequently drank to excess, is stated by Herodotus (1:133) and Xenophon ('Cyrop.,' 8:8, § 11). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/esther/1-8.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">By</span><br /><span class="heb">כַדָּ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(ḵad·dāṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1881.htm">Strong's 1881: </a> </span><span class="str2">A royal edict, statute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">order</span><br /><span class="heb">יִסַּ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(yis·saḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3245.htm">Strong's 3245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To set, to found, to sit down together, settle, consult</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the king,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ</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">no</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">limit</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹנֵ֑ס</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·nês)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_597.htm">Strong's 597: </a> </span><span class="str2">To compel, constrain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was placed on the drinking,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַשְּׁתִיָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·haš·šə·ṯî·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8360.htm">Strong's 8360: </a> </span><span class="str2">A drinking</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">wine steward</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(raḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<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">was to serve</span><br /><span class="heb">לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<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">each</span><br /><span class="heb">אִישׁ־</span> <span class="translit">(’îš-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאִֽישׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whatever he desired.</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּרְצ֥וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(kir·ṣō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7522.htm">Strong's 7522: </a> </span><span class="str2">Goodwill, favor, acceptance, will</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/esther/1-8.htm">Esther 1:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/esther/1-8.htm">Esther 1:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/esther/1-8.htm">Esther 1:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/esther/1-8.htm">Esther 1:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/esther/1-8.htm">Esther 1:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/esther/1-8.htm">Esther 1:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/esther/1-8.htm">Esther 1:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/esther/1-8.htm">Esther 1:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/esther/1-8.htm">Esther 1:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/esther/1-8.htm">Esther 1:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/esther/1-8.htm">OT History: Esther 1:8 In accordance with the law the drinking (Est Esth. Es) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/esther/1-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Esther 1:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Esther 1:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/esther/1-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Esther 1:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Esther 1:9" /></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>