Esther 1:3

In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him:

In the third {H7969} year {H8141} of his reign {H4427}, he made {H6213} a feast {H4960} unto all his princes {H8269} and his servants {H5650}; the power {H2428} of Persia {H6539} and Media {H4074}, the nobles {H6579} and princes {H8269} of the provinces {H4082}, being before {H6440} him:

in the third year of his reign, that he gave a banquet for all his officials and courtiers. The army of Persia and Media, the nobles and the provincial officials were in attendance.

In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces.

in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him;

Esther 1:3 introduces the grand stage upon which the dramatic events of the book of Esther unfold. It describes a lavish feast hosted by King Ahasuerus in the third year of his reign, showcasing the immense power and extensive reach of the Persian Empire.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse immediately establishes the setting and the primary human figure, King Ahasuerus, widely identified by historians as Xerxes I. The "third year of his reign" indicates a period when his rule was firmly established, and he was likely planning significant military campaigns, such as the invasion of Greece, which occurred shortly after this period. The feast itself, held in the capital city of Shushan (Susa), was not merely a social gathering but a strategic display of royal authority and wealth. It was an opportunity for the king to consolidate loyalty, review the strength of his empire, and perhaps plan future endeavors. The mention of "the power of Persia and Media" and "the nobles and princes of the provinces" underscores the vastness of Ahasuerus's dominion, which stretched from India to Ethiopia, encompassing 127 provinces as noted in Esther 1:1. Such feasts could last for extended periods, with a subsequent phase of this very celebration lasting 180 days, as mentioned in Esther 1:4.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Imperial Grandeur: The feast serves as a powerful demonstration of King Ahasuerus's unparalleled wealth, influence, and the vast resources at his command. It highlights the ostentatious nature of ancient Persian royalty.
  • Centralized Authority: The gathering of "princes and his servants," including "the nobles and princes of the provinces," illustrates the highly centralized nature of the Persian Empire. All significant power emanated from the king, and these officials were directly accountable to him.
  • Setting the Stage: This seemingly mundane opening sets the scene for the extraordinary events that will follow, including the deposition of Queen Vashti and the eventual rise of Esther. It establishes the human context of power and politics against which God's providential hand will work.

Practical Application

While this verse describes an ancient pagan king's display of earthly power, it subtly introduces themes relevant to faith. It reminds us that even in the grandest human endeavors and political machinations, God's sovereign plan is always at work. The seemingly secure and powerful reign of Ahasuerus would soon be intertwined with divine purposes through the lives of individuals like Esther and Mordecai. This can encourage believers to trust that God's will can advance even amidst powerful secular governments and human ambitions, often through unexpected means and people, much like how He raises up and deposes kings according to His timing.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 6:21

    And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief [estates] of Galilee;

  • Esther 2:18

    Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, [even] Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.

  • Daniel 5:1

    ¶ Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.

  • 1 Kings 3:15

    And Solomon awoke; and, behold, [it was] a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

  • Isaiah 21:2

    A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

  • Jeremiah 51:11

    Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device [is] against Babylon, to destroy it; because it [is] the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

  • Genesis 40:20

    ¶ And it came to pass the third day, [which was] Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

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