Esther 1

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 1 of 10

¹ ¶ And it happened, in the days of Ahasuerus the king, Ahasuerus (he is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces)

² in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom in Shushan the palace,

³ in the third year of his reign, he made a banquet for all his rulers and his servants. The power of Persia and Media, the nobles and the rulers of the provinces, were before him,

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Chapter Summary

Ahasuerus makes royal feasts. 10 Vashti, sent for, refuses to come. 13 Ahasuerus makes the decree of men's sovereignty.

Key Hebrew Words

מִשְׁתֶּה banquet, feast H4960 · TWOT 2477c

מַלְכָּה queen H4436 · TWOT 1199b

דָּת decree, law H1881 · TWOT 458

מָאֵן refuse H3985 · TWOT 1138

מְדִינָה province H4082 · TWOT 426d

יַ֫יִן wine H3196 · TWOT 864

People & Context

Ahasuerus

King reigning over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia; throws the banquet and deposes Vashti

Vashti

The queen who makes her own banquet for the women and refuses the king's command to appear

Memucan

One of the seven rulers of Persia and Media who advises that Vashti be removed by royal decree

Timeline

Ahasuerus' 180-Day Banquet

King Ahasuerus hosts a 180-day banquet for his rulers, nobles, and servants to display the riches of his glorious kingdom.

Esther 1:1-4

Ahasuerus' 7-Day Banquet

The king hosts a seven-day banquet in the palace garden court for all the people in Shushan, serving abundant wine in unique golden vessels.

Esther 1:5-8

Vashti's Banquet

Queen Vashti hosts a separate banquet for the women in the royal house of King Ahasuerus.

Esther 1:9

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Nehemiah 13 Esther Esther 2