Esther 1:20

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.

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}.

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."

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.”

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

Esther 1:20 is a pivotal verse within the opening chapter of the Book of Esther, outlining a key component of King Ahasuerus's decree following Queen Vashti's defiance. This verse details the intention behind the proposed law: to reinforce the authority of husbands throughout the vast Persian Empire.

Context

This verse comes directly after Memucan, one of the seven princes of Persia and Media, offers his counsel to King Ahasuerus. Following Queen Vashti's refusal to appear before the king and his guests (Esther 1:12), the king's advisors feared that her actions would set a dangerous precedent for all women in the empire. Memucan's solution, outlined in Esther 1:19, was to issue a royal decree that would publicly dethrone Vashti and establish a clear mandate for female submission. Verse 20 specifically states the desired outcome of this decree: that "all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small." This was an attempt to restore order and prevent widespread disrespect from wives, ensuring that "every man should bear rule in his own house."

Key Themes

  • Authority and Order: The primary goal of the decree was to re-establish and solidify male authority within the household and, by extension, throughout the empire. It reflects a societal concern for maintaining hierarchical order.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Vashti's refusal, though seemingly a personal act, was perceived as a challenge to royal and patriarchal authority, leading to swift and severe consequences not only for her but also influencing the entire empire's legal framework.
  • Ancient Gender Roles: The verse explicitly highlights the patriarchal structure of the ancient Persian society, where the submission and "honour" of wives to husbands were considered essential for societal stability.
  • Royal Edicts: It demonstrates the absolute power of the Persian king, whose decrees ("great" in scope and impact) were considered unchangeable once issued.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "honour" in this verse translates the Hebrew word yekar (יְקָר), which means 'preciousness,' 'honor,' 'dignity,' or 'splendor.' It signifies not merely outward obedience but an internal recognition of the husband's position and worth. The phrase "both to great and small" emphasizes the universal application of this law across all social strata within the vast Persian Empire, from noblewomen to commoners, ensuring no woman was exempt from this new societal expectation.

Practical Application

While the specific decree in Esther 1:20 reflects the cultural and legal norms of ancient Persia, far removed from modern understanding of marital equality, it underscores the importance of mutual respect and order within any relationship. The Book of Esther, in this instance, provides a historical snapshot of human efforts to control social dynamics through law. For contemporary readers, it serves as a reminder that true honor and stability in relationships are built on love, understanding, and mutual regard, rather than forced submission by decree. The New Testament, for example, emphasizes husbands loving their wives and wives respecting their husbands, fostering a relationship based on Christ-like love and voluntary partnership, a stark contrast to the top-down decree of Ahasuerus's court.

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Cross-References

  • Colossians 3:18 (4 votes)

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

  • Ephesians 5:33 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • 1 Peter 3:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

    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 (1 votes)

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

  • Deuteronomy 21:21 (1 votes)

    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.