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Esther 1:19

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If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

If it please {H2895} the king {H4428}, let there go {H3318} a royal {H4438} commandment {H1697} from him {H6440}, and let it be written {H3789} among the laws {H1881} of the Persians {H6539} and the Medes {H4074}, that it be not altered {H5674}, That Vashti {H2060} come {H935} no more before {H6440} king {H4428} Ahasuerus {H325}; and let the king {H4428} give {H5414} her royal estate {H4438} unto another {H7468} that is better {H2896} than she.

If it pleases his majesty, let him issue a royal decree - and let it be written as one of the laws of the Persians and Medes, which are irrevocable - that Vashti is never again to be admitted into the presence of King Achashverosh, and that the king give her royal position to someone better than she.

So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she.

If it please the king, let there go forth a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

Commentary

Esther 1:19 KJV presents a pivotal moment in the narrative, detailing the specific decree proposed by Memucan, one of King Ahasuerus's wise advisors, regarding Queen Vashti's deposition. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, ultimately leading to Esther's elevation.

Context

This verse comes directly after Queen Vashti's defiant refusal to appear before King Ahasuerus and his guests during a grand feast (Esther 1:12). The king, enraged and seeking counsel from his wise men, is advised by Memucan that Vashti's actions threaten the authority of all husbands in the Persian Empire. To prevent widespread insubordination among women, Memucan proposes a severe and irreversible decree: that Vashti be permanently removed from her royal position and her queenly status given to another.

Key Themes

  • The Unchangeable Nature of Persian Law: The phrase "let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered" highlights a crucial aspect of the Medo-Persian legal system. Once a decree was issued and ratified, it was considered irreversible, even by the king himself. This principle is famously seen again in the Book of Daniel concerning Daniel in the lions' den (Daniel 6:8).
  • Consequences of Defiance: Vashti's refusal, whether seen as an act of personal integrity or insubordination, carried severe consequences within the autocratic structure of the Persian court. Her deposition serves as a stark warning about the ramifications of disobeying royal authority and sets a precedent for royal decrees.
  • Divine Providence (Foreshadowed): While not explicitly stated, Vashti's removal, orchestrated by human counsel and royal decree, providentially clears the way for Esther, a Jewish orphan, to become queen. This seemingly arbitrary decision ultimately serves God's larger plan to save His people (Esther 4:14).

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The emphasis on the law being "not altered" (Hebrew: lo' ta'avor, meaning "not pass away" or "not be transgressed/changed") reflects the unique legal tradition of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. This concept underscores the absolute, binding nature of royal decrees once they became law. It was a source of stability but also, at times, inflexibility, as seen here with Vashti and later with Daniel.

Practical Application

Esther 1:19 reminds us of the power and permanence of certain decrees, whether human or divine. While human laws can be rigid and sometimes unjust, God's decrees and promises are truly unchangeable and righteous. This verse also highlights how seemingly negative events or human decisions can be part of a larger, divinely orchestrated plan, paving the way for unexpected blessings or the fulfillment of God's purposes. It encourages us to look beyond immediate circumstances and trust in God's ultimate sovereignty.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Esther 8:8 (5 votes)

    Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal [it] with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.

  • 1 Samuel 15:28 (5 votes)

    And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, [that is] better than thou.

  • Esther 8:5 (4 votes)

    And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing [seem] right before the king, and I [be] pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which [are] in all the king's provinces:

  • Daniel 6:8 (3 votes)

    Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

  • Daniel 6:15 (3 votes)

    Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians [is], That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

  • Esther 3:9 (3 votes)

    If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring [it] into the king's treasuries.

  • Daniel 6:17 (3 votes)

    And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.