Esther 1:16-20

1:16

Vashti <02060> [Vashti.]

This reasoning was inconsequent and false. Vashti had not generally disobeyed the king, therefore she could be no precedent for the general conduct of the Persian women. She disobeyed only in one particular; and this, to serve a purpose, Memucan draws into a general consequence: and the rest came into the conclusion, being either too intoxicated to be able to discern right from wrong, or too intent on reducing women to a state of vassalage, to neglect the present favourable opportunity.

wrong <05753> [done wrong.]

1:17

contempt <0959> [despise.]

1:18

ladies <08282> [the ladies.]

{Saroth,} the princesses: but the meaning is well expressed by our term ladies.

1:19

king .... inclined ................................... King ......... royalty <04428 02895> [it please the king. Heb. it be good with the king.]

from him ......................... presence <06440> [from him. Heb. from before him. it be not altered. Heb. it pass not away.]

Let it be inserted among the permanent laws, and be made a part of the constitution of the empire. The Persians seem to have affected such a degree of wisdom in the construction of their laws, that they never could be amended, and should never be repealed; and this formed the ground of the saying, "The laws of the Medes and Persians that change not."

another <07468> [another. Heb. her companion. that is better.]

1:20

kingdom <04438> [throughout.]

women <0802> [all the wives.]