Esther 1:22

For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that [it] should be published according to the language of every people.

For he sent {H7971} letters {H5612} into all the king's {H4428} provinces {H4082}, into every province {H4082} according to the writing {H3791} thereof, and to every people {H5971} after their language {H3956}, that every man {H376} should bear rule {H8323} in his own house {H1004}, and that it should be published {H1696} according to the language {H3956} of every people {H5971}.

he sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, that every man should be master in his own house and speak the language of his own people.

He sent letters to all the provinces of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be master of his own household.

for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and should speak according to the language of his people.

Commentary

Esther 1:22 KJV describes King Ahasuerus’s decree, sent throughout his vast Persian Empire, reinforcing the authority of men within their households. This seemingly minor detail in the narrative sets the stage for the unfolding drama of Esther, highlighting the king's character and the administrative power of the empire.

Context

This verse concludes the opening chapter of Esther, following Queen Vashti's public defiance of King Ahasuerus's command to appear at his feast. Fearing that Vashti's actions would encourage insubordination among women throughout the empire, King Ahasuerus, upon the advice of his wise men, particularly Memucan (Esther 1:16), issues a universal decree. The decree's primary aim was to establish a legal precedent that ensured "every man should bear rule in his own house," a response born out of royal insecurity and the desire to maintain social order from the top down.

Key Themes

  • Patriarchal Authority: The central theme is the king's attempt to legislate and enforce male dominance within the family unit. This was a direct reaction to a perceived threat to patriarchal norms and royal authority.
  • Persian Administrative Efficiency: The verse emphasizes the meticulous nature of the Persian Empire's administration. Letters were dispatched "into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language," demonstrating an advanced system for disseminating laws across a diverse, multicultural realm that stretched from India to Ethiopia (Esther 1:1).
  • The Power of Royal Decrees: In the ancient Near East, a royal decree, once issued, was considered irreversible and binding, carrying immense weight and authority. This highlights the absolute power of the king in the Persian system.
  • Communication and Language: The emphasis on publishing the decree "according to the language of every people" underscores the importance of clear and widespread communication, even if the message itself was somewhat arbitrary or absurd.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language" precisely translates the Hebrew, highlighting the administrative precision of the Persian Empire. The Hebrew terms for "writing" (kethāḇ) and "language" (lāšôn) underscore the empire's commitment to ensuring its laws were not only disseminated but also understood by the diverse populations within its vast territories. This attention to detail in communication is a notable feature of Persian governance, ensuring the king's will, however petty, was universally known.

Significance and Application

While the decree in Esther 1:22 might seem trivial or even comical to modern readers, it serves several significant purposes within the biblical narrative and offers broader lessons:

  • Setting the Stage: This decree showcases King Ahasuerus's character—easily swayed, concerned with superficial displays of power, and prone to making sweeping, ill-conceived laws. This characteristic becomes crucial later in the book when Haman manipulates him into issuing another devastating decree against the Jews (Esther 3:8-9).
  • Divine Providence: Ironically, this seemingly absurd decree, meant to assert male authority, is part of the divine plan that leads to Vashti's removal and Esther's eventual ascent to queen, ultimately saving her people. God often uses human folly and political machinations to achieve His purposes.
  • True Authority: The verse implicitly contrasts man-made, arbitrary authority with God-ordained order. While the Bible supports a structured household (e.g., Ephesians 5:22-33), it emphasizes mutual respect, love, and servant leadership, not merely legislative dominance.
  • Communication's Power: The meticulous effort to communicate the decree in every language reminds us of the power of words and dissemination. Whether for good or ill, clear communication is essential for influence and governance.
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Cross-References

  • Esther 3:12 (6 votes)

    Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that [were] over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and [to] every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

  • Esther 8:9 (6 votes)

    Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that [is], the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth [day] thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which [are] from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

  • Ephesians 5:22 (5 votes)

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

  • Ephesians 5:24 (5 votes)

    Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.

  • 1 Timothy 2:12 (3 votes)

    But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:19 (2 votes)

    Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that [by my voice] I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:20 (2 votes)

    Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.