Esther 1:20

KJV

And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when the king's {H4428} decree {H6599} which he shall make {H6213} shall be published {H8085} throughout all his empire {H4438},(for it is great {H7227},) all the wives {H802} shall give {H5414} to their husbands {H1167} honour {H3366}, both to great {H1419} and small {H6996}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the edict made by the king is proclaimed throughout the length and breadth of the kingdom, then all wives will honor their husbands, whether great or small."

Berean Standard Bible

The 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.”

American Standard Version

And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 1:20 details a pivotal aspect of King Ahasuerus's decree, proposed by Memucan, one of his seven princes, in response to Queen Vashti's defiance. This verse outlines the intended universal impact of the royal edict: that upon its promulgation across the vast Persian Empire, all wives, regardless of social standing, would be compelled to show honor and respect to their husbands. The decree aimed to re-establish and reinforce patriarchal authority within every household, thereby preventing further perceived challenges to male headship and maintaining societal order as understood by the Persian court.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Esther 1:20 directly follows Memucan's counsel to King Ahasuerus and his princes, as recorded in [Esther 1:16-19](/esther/1-16 "Esther 1:16-19 - Memucan's Counsel"). Queen Vashti's refusal to appear before the king at his command ([Esther 1:12](/esther/1-12 "Esther 1:12 - Queen Vashti's Refusal")) was perceived as a grave threat to the established social order, not merely a personal slight. Memucan argued that Vashti's actions would incite similar disrespect among women throughout the empire, leading to widespread contempt for husbands. His proposed solution was a swift and unalterable royal decree that would publicly depose Vashti and mandate universal wifely submission. Verse 20 specifies the desired outcome of this decree, emphasizing its broad application and the re-establishment of male authority in every home, setting the stage for the subsequent search for a new queen, which ultimately brings Esther into prominence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Esther take place during the reign of Ahasuerus, commonly identified with Xerxes I (486-465 BC), ruler of the vast Achaemenid Persian Empire. This empire, as described in [Esther 1:1](/esther/1-1 "Esther 1:1 - The Extent of Ahasuerus's Empire"), stretched from India to Ethiopia, encompassing 127 provinces. Persian society was highly hierarchical and patriarchal, with the king holding absolute power, his decrees being immutable once issued ([Esther 8:8](/esther/8-8 "Esther 8:8 - The Immutability of Persian Law")). The concept of "honor" (Hebrew: _yekar_) was paramount in ancient Near Eastern cultures, signifying social standing, dignity, and respect. Vashti's refusal was a public act of dishonor, challenging not only the king's authority but also the prevailing cultural norms that expected female deference. The decree in verse 20 reflects a desperate attempt by the male leadership to reassert control and prevent perceived social chaos by legislating domestic conduct across an immense and diverse empire.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several key themes within the Book of Esther and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Authority and Power**, specifically the absolute and often arbitrary power of the Persian king, whose decrees could reshape societal norms across his vast domain. It underscores the theme of **Order vs. Disorder**, as the decree is a direct response to a perceived disruption of social order, aiming to re-establish male headship and prevent widespread female insubordination. The verse also illuminates **Ancient Gender Roles and Societal Expectations**, revealing the deeply patriarchal structure of Persian society where a wife's honor towards her husband was considered foundational for domestic and imperial stability. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **Human Agency and Divine Sovereignty**, as this human-orchestrated decree, intended to solidify one form of control, inadvertently creates the circumstances through which God's chosen instrument, Esther, will rise to power and ultimately save her people, demonstrating that even human folly can serve God's greater purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Honour (Hebrew, _yekar_):** This word signifies 'preciousness,' 'dignity,' 'splendor,' or 'value.' In this context, it implies not merely outward obedience or submission, but an internal recognition of the husband's worth, position, and authority. The decree sought to command a profound respect that would permeate all levels of society, from the highest noblewoman to the most common wife.
* **Empire (Hebrew, _medinah_):** While often translated as 'province' or 'country,' in this context, given the scope of Ahasuerus's rule (127 provinces from India to Ethiopia, as mentioned in [Esther 1:1](/esther/1-1 "Esther 1:1 - The Extent of Ahasuerus's Empire")), 'empire' accurately conveys the vast geographical and political reach of the king's authority. The decree's publication "throughout all his empire" emphasizes its universal and inescapable application.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire":** This clause emphasizes the legislative process and the vast scope of the intended law. The decree is not merely a suggestion but a royal command, intended for universal dissemination and enforcement across every corner of the vast Persian dominion. The act of "publishing" (literally "writing") signifies its official, unalterable nature within Persian law.
* **"(for it is great,)":** This parenthetical phrase highlights the perceived significance and impact of the decree. It is "great" not only in its scope (covering the entire empire) but also in its intended effect—to prevent a perceived societal breakdown and re-establish a fundamental social order. It underscores the gravity with which the king and his advisors viewed Vashti's defiance and the proposed solution.
* **"all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small":** This is the core mandate of the decree. It specifies the target audience ("all the wives") and the desired behavior ("shall give... honour"). The phrase "both to great and small" further emphasizes the universal application, ensuring that no wife, regardless of her husband's social standing or her own, would be exempt from this new legal requirement to show respect and deference.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several **Literary Devices** to convey its message and impact. **Hyperbole** is evident in the declaration that the decree is "great" and will be published "throughout all his empire," implying an almost omnipotent reach and an unquestionable impact on every household. This grand pronouncement contrasts with the underlying **Irony** that will unfold later in the book: despite this decree aiming to solidify male authority and control women, it is precisely through the rise of a woman, Esther, that God's purposes are achieved, demonstrating the limits of human decrees against divine sovereignty. The verse also utilizes **Metonymy**, where "honour" stands in for the broader concept of wifely submission and obedience. Furthermore, the emphasis on the king's decree and its universal application serves as **Foreshadowing**, setting a precedent for the crucial role that subsequent royal decrees will play in the unfolding drama of the Book of Esther, particularly Haman's genocidal edict and Mordecai's counter-decree.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 1:20, while rooted in ancient Persian culture, raises timeless questions about authority, order, and human attempts to legislate morality. The king's decree represents a human-centric solution to a perceived problem of social disorder, attempting to impose honor and respect through force of law. From a theological perspective, this contrasts sharply with biblical principles of relationships, which emphasize voluntary love, mutual respect, and submission to God rather than coerced submission to human authority. While the Bible does speak to order in society and the household, it grounds such order in divine design and Christ-like love, not arbitrary decrees.

* [Ephesians 5:21-33](/ephesians/5-21 "Ephesians 5:21-33 - Christian Households and Mutual Submission")
* [Colossians 3:18-19](/colossians/3-18 "Colossians 3:18-19 - Wives and Husbands in Christ")
* [1 Peter 3:1-7](/1_peter/3-1 "1 Peter 3:1-7 - Wives and Husbands")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 1:20 offers a fascinating, albeit culturally distant, glimpse into the anxieties and power dynamics of an ancient empire. For the modern reader, especially those seeking spiritual nourishment, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that true honor and lasting stability in relationships cannot be legislated or coerced. While the Persian king sought to enforce respect through an imperial decree, the New Testament vision for relationships, particularly marriage, is founded on a radically different principle: sacrificial love, mutual respect, and voluntary submission to one another out of reverence for Christ. We are called to cultivate relationships where honor is freely given, not forcibly extracted, and where both parties contribute to an atmosphere of dignity and esteem. This verse prompts us to examine the foundations of our own relationships: are they built on genuine love and respect, or on unspoken expectations and power imbalances?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Persian king's attempt to legislate "honor" contrast with the New Testament's teaching on relationships, particularly marriage?**
* **In what ways might we, even unintentionally, seek to impose our will or demand respect rather than cultivating it through love and service?**
* **What does "honor" truly mean in a relationship, and how can it be genuinely fostered in a way that reflects Christ-like principles?**

### FAQ

**Why was such a sweeping decree considered necessary by the Persian court?**

Answer: The decree was seen as necessary because Queen Vashti's public refusal to obey King Ahasuerus's command was perceived as a profound challenge to his absolute authority and, by extension, to the entire patriarchal order of Persian society. Memucan and the other princes feared that if Vashti's defiance went unpunished and unaddressed, it would set a dangerous precedent, leading to widespread disrespect and insubordination from wives throughout the vast empire. The decree was an attempt to swiftly and decisively re-establish male headship and maintain social stability by legislating the expected behavior of all wives, from the highest noblewoman to the most humble commoner, ensuring that "every man should bear rule in his own house" ([Esther 1:22](/esther/1-22 "Esther 1:22 - Every Man to Bear Rule")).

**How does this decree, and the king's absolute power, relate to the broader narrative of the Book of Esther?**

Answer: This decree is foundational to the unfolding narrative of the Book of Esther. Firstly, it directly leads to Queen Vashti's deposition, creating the vacancy that Esther will ultimately fill ([Esther 2:1-4](/esther/2-1 "Esther 2:1-4 - The Search for a New Queen")). Secondly, it highlights the absolute and unchangeable nature of Persian law and royal decrees, a critical plot device later in the book. Haman's genocidal edict against the Jews ([Esther 3:8-15](/esther/3-8 "Esther 3:8-15 - Haman's Decree Against the Jews")) and Mordecai's subsequent counter-decree ([Esther 8:7-14](/esther/8-7 "Esther 8:7-14 - Mordecai's Counter-Decree")) both rely on this established precedent of royal authority and immutable law. The initial decree in Esther 1:20 thus sets the stage for the dramatic conflicts and divine interventions that will follow, demonstrating how even human decrees, intended for one purpose, can be providentially used for another.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 1:20 vividly portrays human attempts to establish order and enforce submission through legalistic decrees and raw power. The Persian king, in his earthly sovereignty, sought to command "honor" through fear and legislation. This stands in stark contrast to the reign of Christ, whose kingdom is not built on coercion but on voluntary love and self-sacrificial service. While earthly rulers "lord it over" their subjects, Jesus taught that true greatness in His kingdom is found in humility and service, declaring that "whoever would be great among you must be your servant" ([Mark 10:42-45](/mark/10-42 "Mark 10:42-45 - True Greatness is Service")). The "honor" Christ receives is not enforced by decree but freely given by those who recognize His divine worth and gracious redemption ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). Furthermore, while the Persian decree aimed to control women, Christ elevated the status of women, treating them with dignity and respect, inviting them into discipleship, and valuing their contributions to His ministry ([Luke 8:1-3](/luke/8-1 "Luke 8:1-3 - Women who Followed Jesus")). The ultimate fulfillment of true honor and order is found in the new covenant, where relationships are transformed by the Spirit, fostering mutual submission and Christ-like love, rather than being dictated by external, punitive laws ([Ephesians 5:21-25](/ephesians/5-21 "Ephesians 5:21-25 - Christ and the Church as a Model for Marriage")). The decree in Esther 1:20, therefore, serves as a historical backdrop, highlighting the limitations and futility of human efforts to perfect society apart from the transformative power of God's grace and the redemptive work of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Colossians 3:18

¶ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband.

Ephesians 5:22

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

1 Peter 3:1

¶ Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Deuteronomy 17:13

And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.

Deuteronomy 21:21

And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.