Font Size
Esther 1:6-8
New English Translation
Esther 1:6-8
New English Translation
6 The furnishings included white linen and blue curtains hung by cords of the finest linen[a] and purple wool on silver rings, alabaster columns, gold and silver couches[b] displayed on a floor made of valuable stones of alabaster, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stone. 7 Drinks[c] were served in golden containers, all of which differed from one another. Royal wine was available in abundance at the king’s expense. 8 There were no restrictions on the drinking,[d] for the king had instructed all his supervisors[e] that they should do as everyone so desired.[f]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Esther 1:6 sn The finest linen was byssus, a fine, costly, white fabric made in Egypt, Palestine, and Edom, and imported into Persia (BDB 101 s.v. בּוּץ; HALOT 115-16 s.v. בּוּץ).
- Esther 1:6 tn The Hebrew noun מִטָּה (mittah) refers to a reclining couch (cf. KJV “beds”) spread with covers, cloth and pillow for feasting and carousing (Ezek 23:41; Amos 3:12; 6:4; Esth 1:6; 7:8). See BDB 641-42 s.v.; HALOT 573 s.v.
- Esther 1:7 tn Heb “to cause to drink” (Hiphil infinitive construct of שָׁקָה, shaqah). As the etymology of the Hebrew word for “banquet” (מִשְׁתֶּה, mishteh, from שָׁתָה, shatah, “to drink”) hints, drinking was a prominent feature of ancient Near Eastern banquets.
- Esther 1:8 tn Heb “the drinking was according to law; there was no one compelling.”
- Esther 1:8 tn Heb “every chief of his house”; KJV “all the officers of his house”; NLT “his staff.”
- Esther 1:8 tn Heb “according to the desire of man and man.”
New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.