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Esther 1:19-21
New English Translation
Esther 1:19-21
New English Translation
19 If the king is so inclined,[a] let a royal edict go forth from him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media that cannot be repealed,[b] that Vashti[c] may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king convey her royalty to another[d] who is more deserving than she.[e] 20 And let the king’s decision that he will enact be disseminated[f] throughout all his kingdom, vast though it is.[g] Then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the most prominent to the lowly.”
21 The matter seemed appropriate to the king and the officials. So the king acted on the advice of Memucan.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Esther 1:19 sn Heb “If upon the king it is good”; KJV “If it please the king.” Deferential language was common in ancient Near Eastern court language addressing a despot; it occurs often in Esther.
- Esther 1:19 sn Laws…that cannot be repealed. On the permanence of the laws of Media and Persia see also Esth 8:8 and Dan 6:8, 12, 15.
- Esther 1:19 sn Previously in this chapter the word “queen” accompanies Vashti’s name (cf. vv. 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17). But here, in anticipation of her demotion, the title is dropped.
- Esther 1:19 tn Heb “her neighbor”; NIV “someone else.”
- Esther 1:19 tn Heb “who is better than she.” The reference is apparently to worthiness of the royal position as demonstrated by compliance with the king’s wishes, although the word טוֹב (tov, “good”) can also be used of physical beauty. Cf. NAB, NASB, NLT “more worthy than she.”
- Esther 1:20 tn Heb “heard”; KJV, NAB, NLT “published”; NIV, NRSV “proclaimed.”
- Esther 1:20 tc The phrase “vast though it is” is not included in the LXX, although it is retained by almost all English versions.
Esther 1:19-21
New International Version
Esther 1:19-21
New International Version
19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king,(A) let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed,(B) that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”
21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed.
New English Translation (NET)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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