Esther 1:3

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

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:

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 1:3 initiates the narrative by detailing a magnificent feast hosted by King Ahasuerus in the third year of his reign, a grand display of imperial might and opulence. This event, attended by all his princes, servants, nobles, and provincial leaders, served to showcase the vast power and extensive reach of the Persian and Median Empire, setting the lavish and politically charged backdrop for the unfolding drama of the book.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the opening two verses of Esther, which establish the identity of King Ahasuerus and the immense geographical scope of his empire, stretching "from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces" ([Esther 1:1](/esther/1-1 "Esther 1:1 - Vastness of Ahasuerus's Kingdom")). Verse 2 then specifies that the king was enthroned in Shushan the palace. Esther 1:3 transitions from the general description of his reign and dominion to a specific event: a lavish feast. This feast is not merely a social gathering but a strategic display of power and wealth, leading directly into the subsequent verses (Esther 1:4-8) which elaborate on the extraordinary duration and extravagance of the celebration, culminating in the king's command for Queen Vashti to appear, setting in motion the pivotal events of the book. The detailed description of the feast underscores the king's character and the environment in which the divine drama will unfold.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Ahasuerus is widely identified with Xerxes I (reigned 486–465 BC), the son of Darius I. The "third year of his reign" (c. 483 BC) places this event at a crucial juncture, likely preceding his massive military campaign against Greece, which commenced around 481 BC. Such a grand assembly of "princes and his servants" and "nobles and princes of the provinces" would have served multiple purposes: to consolidate loyalty, assess the strength and resources of the empire, and perhaps plan future military or administrative endeavors. The capital city of Shushan (Susa) was one of the royal cities of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, known for its magnificent palaces and administrative importance. Feasts of this magnitude were a common feature of ancient Near Eastern monarchies, serving as public demonstrations of wealth, authority, and control, reinforcing the king's absolute power over his vast dominion, which encompassed the combined "power of Persia and Media," a reference to the dual foundation of the empire after Cyrus the Great's conquest of Media.
* **Key Themes:** Esther 1:3 introduces several foundational themes that resonate throughout the book. Firstly, it highlights **Imperial Grandeur and Power**, presenting King Ahasuerus as an absolute monarch whose wealth and influence are virtually limitless. The description of the feast, with its vast array of attendees from across 127 provinces (as noted in [Esther 1:1](/esther/1-1 "Esther 1:1 - Extent of the Persian Empire")), emphasizes the sheer scale of the Persian Empire and the king's dominion over it. Secondly, the verse underscores **Centralized Authority**; all significant power emanates from the king, and these assembled officials are directly accountable to him, illustrating the hierarchical structure of the empire. This gathering serves as a strategic display, not just a social event, reinforcing the king's control. Finally, this verse functions as a crucial element in **Setting the Stage** for the entire narrative. The ostentatious display of human power and the king's unbridled authority create the backdrop against which God's unseen, yet profoundly active, providence will operate. It establishes the human context of political machinations and worldly ambition, preparing the reader for the unexpected ways in which divine purposes will be achieved, often through seemingly ordinary individuals like Esther and Mordecai, as is subtly hinted at in later chapters of [the book of Esther](/esther/1 "The Book of Esther").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Feast (Hebrew, מִשְׁתֶּה _mishteh_):** This term refers to a drinking party or banquet, often associated with celebration, royal events, or significant gatherings. In this context, it signifies not merely a meal but a lavish, extended public display of wealth, power, and hospitality, characteristic of ancient Near Eastern royalty. The scale implied by the gathering of "all his princes and his servants" suggests an event of immense political and social significance, designed to impress and consolidate loyalty.
* **Princes (Hebrew, שָׂרִים _sarim_):** This word denotes high-ranking officials, nobles, or chiefs. Its use here, alongside "servants," "nobles," and "princes of the provinces," emphasizes the hierarchical structure of the Persian court and empire. These were not just local dignitaries but the most influential figures from across the vast dominion, indicating the king's ability to summon and command the presence of his most important subjects. Their presence underscored the king's authority and the empire's unity under his rule.
* **Power (Hebrew, חַיִל _chayil_):** While _chayil_ can mean strength, wealth, or army, in this context, "the power of Persia and Media" refers to the collective might, resources, and influence of the empire. It encompasses its military strength, economic prosperity, and the administrative capacity to govern such a vast territory. The feast itself is a manifestation of this "power," demonstrating the king's ability to mobilize and sustain such an extravagant event, showcasing the empire's formidable resources to its own leaders.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the third year of his reign":** This temporal marker precisely dates the event within King Ahasuerus's rule. The "third year" suggests a period of established stability after his ascension, allowing him to focus on consolidating power and perhaps planning future endeavors, such as military campaigns. It provides a specific historical anchor for the narrative.
* **"he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants;":** This clause identifies the host (the king) and the immediate attendees of the feast. "Princes" refers to high-ranking officials and nobles, while "servants" likely encompasses a broader range of royal administrators and attendants. The phrase "all his" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the invitation, signaling a grand convocation of the empire's elite.
* **"the power of Persia and Media,":** This specifies the dominant political entity being showcased. "Persia and Media" refers to the dual foundation of the Achaemenid Empire, highlighting its vastness and the combined strength of its constituent parts. The feast is a demonstration of this collective imperial "power" or might, reflecting its resources and influence.
* **"the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him:":** This further clarifies the scope of the attendees, extending beyond the immediate court to include regional leaders from across the empire's 127 provinces. Their presence "before him" signifies their submission and allegiance to the king, reinforcing his centralized authority and the hierarchical structure of his dominion. It underscores the king's absolute control over his vast realm.

#### Literary Devices
The opening of Esther 1:3 employs several literary devices to establish the narrative's tone and setting. **Setting** is paramount, as the verse meticulously details the time ("third year of his reign") and the context (a grand feast in the capital, though not explicitly named in this verse, it is implied from the broader context of [Esther 1:2](/esther/1-2 "Esther 1:2 - Ahasuerus in Shushan")). This detailed setting creates a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama, emphasizing the opulence and power of the Persian court. **Hyperbole** is subtly present in the description of "all his princes and his servants" and "the nobles and princes of the provinces," suggesting an almost unimaginable scale of attendance, reinforcing the king's immense authority and the empire's grandeur. This exaggeration serves to impress upon the reader the formidable human power at play. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Foreshadowing**. The lavish display of the king's unbridled power and the gathering of his top officials subtly foreshadows the king's later impulsive decisions (like deposing Vashti) and the political machinations that will characterize the narrative, setting the stage for the dramatic clash between human authority and divine providence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 1:3, while describing an earthly king's display of power, subtly introduces a profound theological truth: God's sovereignty over human empires. The grandeur of Ahasuerus's feast and the vastness of his dominion are presented as impressive, yet the narrative implicitly reminds us that even the most formidable human authority operates within the bounds of God's overarching plan. This verse sets the stage for the unfolding story where God, though unmentioned directly, orchestrates events behind the scenes, using even the pride and political machinations of a pagan king to achieve His purposes for His people. It highlights that no earthly power, no matter how vast or ostentatious, can thwart the divine will, and that God's providence can work through unexpected means and people to protect and deliver His chosen ones.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kings"): "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:"
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Exalts and Abases"): "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another."
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand"): "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The grand feast described in Esther 1:3, a magnificent display of human power and opulence, serves as a powerful reminder that even in the most impressive and seemingly secure human endeavors, God's sovereign hand is at work. It challenges us to look beyond the visible displays of authority and wealth in our own world and recognize that true power resides with God alone. While earthly leaders may gather their forces and plan their strategies, it is God who ultimately directs the course of history, often through the most unexpected means and individuals. This verse encourages believers to cultivate a deep trust in divine providence, understanding that even in complex political landscapes or amidst overwhelming societal forces, God's purposes for His people will prevail. It calls us to pray for those in authority, knowing that their hearts and decisions are ultimately in God's hand, and to remain faithful, even when circumstances seem to be dominated by human ambition and worldly power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the description of King Ahasuerus's feast challenge or reinforce your understanding of earthly power and authority?**
* **In what ways does this verse, despite its focus on a pagan king, encourage you to trust in God's unseen providence in your own life or in the world today?**
* **What might be the spiritual dangers of being overly impressed by or reliant upon human displays of wealth and influence, as depicted in this verse?**

### FAQ
**Who was King Ahasuerus, and why was this feast so important?**

Answer: King Ahasuerus is widely identified by historians as Xerxes I, who reigned over the Persian Empire from 486 to 465 BC. The feast described in [Esther 1:3](/esther/1-3 "Esther 1:3 - King Ahasuerus's Feast") was not merely a social gathering but a highly significant political and strategic event. Held in the third year of his reign, it likely served to consolidate loyalty among his vast network of "princes and his servants" and "nobles and princes of the provinces" from across 127 provinces (as mentioned in [Esther 1:1](/esther/1-1 "Esther 1:1 - Vastness of Ahasuerus's Kingdom")). This grand assembly allowed the king to display his immense wealth, power, and the formidable resources of his empire, potentially as a prelude to major military campaigns, such as his invasion of Greece, which occurred shortly after this period. It was a demonstration of absolute authority, reinforcing his control over a dominion that stretched "from India even unto Ethiopia."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 1:3, with its depiction of an earthly king's lavish display of power and dominion, serves as a poignant contrast and foreshadowing of the true King and His eternal kingdom. Ahasuerus's feast was a temporary, human-orchestrated exhibition of finite authority, limited by time and geography. Yet, it points to the ultimate and everlasting reign of Jesus Christ. While Ahasuerus gathered his "princes and his servants" to showcase his earthly "power of Persia and Media," Christ, the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - Jesus, King of Kings"), gathers His people not through compulsion or a display of worldly might, but through sacrificial love and divine grace. His kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), yet it encompasses all authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). The temporary nature of Ahasuerus's reign and his eventual passing highlight the eternal and unchanging nature of Christ's dominion, which will have no end ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - Christ's Eternal Kingdom")). Thus, the earthly pomp of Esther 1:3 ultimately directs our gaze to the infinitely greater majesty and enduring sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ, who reigns not from a palace in Shushan, but from the right hand of God, forever.

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

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.