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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

רִֽצְפַ֥ת pavement H7531 · TWOT 2210a
יְקָ֔ר preciousness H3366 · TWOT 905b
מִטּ֣וֹת couch H4296 · TWOT 1352c
שָׂרָ֖י chieftain H8269 · TWOT 2295a
יִסַּ֣ד establish H3245 · TWOT 875

People & Context

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.

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.

Vashti's Banquet

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

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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