Esther 1:21
Esther 1:21 in Multiple Translations
The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so the king did as Memucan had advised.
And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
And this suggestion seemed good to the king and the captains; and the king did as Memucan said;
This advice looked good to the king and the nobles, so the king did what Memucan had said.
And this saying pleased the King and the princes, and the King did according to the worde of Memucan.
And the thing is good in the eyes of the king, and of the princes, and the king doth according to the word of Memucan,
This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
His counsel pleased the king, and the princes: and the king did according to the counsel of Mamuchan.
The king and the other officials liked what Memucan suggested, so he did that. He wrote a law proclaiming that.
Berean Amplified Bible — Esther 1:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Esther 1:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּיטַב֙
הַ/דָּבָ֔ר
בְּ/עֵינֵ֥י
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
וְ/הַ/שָּׂרִ֑ים
וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
כִּ/דְבַ֥ר
מְמוּכָֽן
וַ/יִּיטַב֙
yâṭab
H3190
be good
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/דָּבָ֔ר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Art | N-ms
בְּ/עֵינֵ֥י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
וְ/הַ/שָּׂרִ֑ים
sar
H8269
ruler
Conj | Art | N-mp
וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
כִּ/דְבַ֥ר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Prep | N-ms
מְמוּכָֽן
Mᵉmûwkân
H4462
Memucan
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Esther 1:21
וַ/יִּיטַב֙
yâṭab
H3190
"be good"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To be good means to be pleasing or joyful, making something or someone sound, beautiful, or happy. It is used in various forms, including being glad, doing well, or being content. It appears in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be glad, be joyful 1a2) to be well placed 1a3) to be well for, be well with, go well with 1a4) to be pleasing, be pleasing to 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make glad, rejoice 1b2) to do good to, deal well with 1b3) to do well, do thoroughly 1b4) to make a thing good or right or beautiful 1b5) to do well, do right
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen). See also: Genesis 4:7; 2 Samuel 3:36; Psalms 33:3.
הַ/דָּבָ֔ר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Art | N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
בְּ/עֵינֵ֥י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
וְ/הַ/שָּׂרִ֑ים
sar
H8269
"ruler"
Conj | Art | N-mp
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Definition: 1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden
Usage: Occurs in 368 OT verses. KJV: captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. See also: Genesis 12:15; 1 Kings 22:32; 2 Chronicles 32:21.
וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
כִּ/דְבַ֥ר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Prep | N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
מְמוּכָֽן
Mᵉmûwkân
H4462
"Memucan"
N-proper
Memucan was a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire, one of the seven princes who advised King Ahasuerus. His name means 'dignified one' and he is mentioned in the book of Esther. Memucan played a key role in the story of Esther and Mordecai.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Est.1.14 § Memucan = "dignified" one of the 7 princes of Persia in the reign of Ahasuerus
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Memucan. See also: Esther 1:14; Esther 1:16; Esther 1:21.
Study Notes — Esther 1:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Queen Vashti Deposed
19So 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.
20The 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.”
21The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so the king did as Memucan advised.
22He sent letters to all the provinces of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be master of his own household.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 41:37 | This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his officials. |
| 2 | Esther 2:4 | Then let the young woman who pleases the king become queen in place of Vashti.” This suggestion pleased the king, and he acted accordingly. |
| 3 | Esther 1:19 | 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. |
Esther 1:21 Summary
This verse describes how the king and his princes agreed with Memucan's advice to establish the king as the master of his household. The king's decision reflects the societal norms of his time, but it also has spiritual implications, as seen in Ephesians 5:22-24, where wives are called to submit to their husbands as unto the Lord. In simple terms, this verse is saying that the king wanted to be in charge of his own home and make sure his wife respected him, which is similar to the biblical principle of submission described in Colossians 3:18-19. As we read this verse, we can reflect on how we submit to authority in our own lives, whether at home, work, or church, and consider how our actions have consequences, as stated in Galatians 6:7-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the king and his princes agree with Memucan's counsel?
The king and his princes likely agreed with Memucan's counsel because it aligned with their own desires for power and control, as seen in Esther 1:19-20, and it also reflected the societal norms of their time, similar to those described in Ephesians 5:22-24 and 1 Peter 3:1-6.
What does this verse reveal about the character of King Xerxes?
This verse suggests that King Xerxes was a ruler who valued the advice of his princes and was willing to make decisions based on their counsel, as also seen in Esther 1:13-14, which is similar to the way King Rehoboam listened to his advisors in 1 Kings 12:1-11.
How does this verse relate to the theme of authority and submission in the Bible?
This verse touches on the theme of authority and submission, as it describes the king's decision to establish himself as the master of his household, which is also discussed in Ephesians 5:22-24 and Colossians 3:18-19, where wives are called to submit to their husbands as unto the Lord.
What are the consequences of the king's decision in this verse?
The consequences of the king's decision are seen in the following verses, Esther 1:22 and Esther 2:1-4, where the king's edict is sent out to all the provinces, leading to a search for a new queen, and also reflecting the biblical principle that our actions have consequences, as stated in Galatians 6:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can submit to the authorities in my life, as described in Romans 13:1-7 and Hebrews 13:17?
- How can I balance my desire for control and power with the need to submit to God's will, as seen in Esther 1:21 and Proverbs 16:9?
- What are some consequences of disobeying authority, as seen in this verse and in other biblical accounts, such as 1 Samuel 15:22-23?
- In what ways can I use my own position of authority, whether at home, work, or church, to glorify God and promote submission to His will, as discussed in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5?
Gill's Exposition on Esther 1:21
And the saying pleased the king and the princes,.... The king, and the other six princes and counsellors, approved of the proposal, and unanimously agreed to it: and the king did according to the
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Esther 1:21
The saying pleased the king and the princes; partly because their own authority and interest was concerned in it; and especially by the singular providence of God, who designed to bring about his own great work by this small occasion.
Trapp's Commentary on Esther 1:21
Esther 1:21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:Ver. 21. And the saying pleased the king] Pity but itching ears should have clawing counsellors. Memucan was a fit helve for such a hatchet; and his advice fit lettuce for such lips. What marvel that such a smooth counsellor pleased the king, when as he had before given place to two such bad counsellors - Wine and Anger? And the princes] Who perceived very likely by the king’ s looks and gestures, that he was much taken and tickled with Memucan’ s counsel; which they therefore second and subscribe to. How rare a jewel in a prince’ s ear is a faithful counsellor, that will deliver himself freely, non ad gratiam, sed ad veritatem; not to please, but to profit. Such a one was Agrippa to Augustus, Polybius to Scipio, Latimer to Edward VI, &c. There is safety in the multitude of counsellors, modo audeant quae sentiant, as the orator saith (Cic. pro Milone), so they dare speak out, and will not spare to do it. And the king did according to the word of Memucan] Dicto citius, it was forthwith done. Vashti is all on the sudden divorced, and the foolish king publicly shamed.
But all this was of the Lord, that Esther might be advanced, and the Church relieved. So there was a wheel within a wheel, which the wicked discern not, nor the saints consider. God oft wraps himself in a cloud, and will not be seen till afterwards. All God’ s dealings will appear beautiful in their seasons; though for the present we see not the contiguity and concatenation of one thing with another.
Sermons on Esther 1:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Joseph Reminds Me of Jesus-04 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis and draws parallels between Joseph and Jesus. The speaker highlights how Joseph made the years co |
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The Book of Esther by Jacob Prasch | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of seasons in our lives, specifically the season of "mer" (shoes) and the season of "spite." The season of "mer" represents a tim |