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Bible in Basic English

Esther 1:12

But when the servants gave her the king's order, Vashti the queen said she would not come: then the king was very angry, and his heart was burning with wrath.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Anger;   Chamberlain;   Divorce;   Family;   Husband;   Modesty;   Persia;   Queen;   Vashti;   Wife;   Women;   Thompson Chain Reference - Family;   Home;   Modesty;   Trouble;   Virtues;   Womanhood, Crowning Qualities of;   Women;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Chamberlain;   Shushan;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Vashti;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Eunuch;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Esther;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Eunuch;   Meals;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Chamberlain;   Prince, Princess;   Vashti ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Chamberlain;   Vashti;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Chamberlain;   Commandment, the New;   Purim;   Vashti;   Wrath (Anger);   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Vashti;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for June 5;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command that was delivered by his eunuchs. The king became furious and his anger burned within him.
Hebrew Names Version
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's mitzvah by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very angry, and his anger burned in him.
King James Version
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
English Standard Version
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him.
New Century Version
The eunuchs told Queen Vashti about the king's command, but she refused to come. Then the king became very angry; his anger was like a burning fire.
New English Translation
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's bidding conveyed through the eunuchs. Then the king became extremely angry, and his rage consumed him.
Amplified Bible
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command, which was delivered [to her] by the eunuchs. So the king became extremely angry and burned with rage.
New American Standard Bible
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's order delivered by the eunuchs. So the king became very angry, and his wrath burned within him.
World English Bible
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very angry, and his anger burned in him.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But the Queene Vashti refused to come at the Kings worde, which he had giuen in charge to the eunuches: therefore the King was very angry, and his wrath kindled in him.
Legacy Standard Bible
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king which was delivered by the hand of the eunuchs. Then the king became exceedingly furious, and his wrath burned within him.
Berean Standard Bible
Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king's command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him.
Contemporary English Version
The king's servants told Queen Vashti what he had said, but she refused to go to him, and this made him terribly angry.
Complete Jewish Bible
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the order of the king, which he had sent through his officers. This enraged the king — his anger blazed inside him.
Darby Translation
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king which was [sent] by the chamberlains; and the king was very wroth, and his fury burned in him.
Easy-to-Read Version
But when the eunuchs told Queen Vashti about the king's command, she refused to come. Then the king was very angry.
George Lamsa Translation
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the kings command by the eunuchs; therefore the king was very wroth and his anger burned in him.
Good News Translation
But when the servants told Queen Vashti of the king's command, she refused to come. This made the king furious.
Lexham English Bible
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king that was conveyed by the eunuchs. And the king became very angry, and his anger burned in him.
Literal Translation
But Vashti the queen refused to come at the king's command by his eunuchs. And the king was very angry, and his fury burned within him.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But the quene Vasthi wolde not come at the kynges worde by his chamberlaynes. Then was the kynge very wroth, and his indignacio kyndled in him.
American Standard Version
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But the queene Uasthi would not come at the kinges worde by his chamberlaynes: Then was the king very wroth, and his indignation kindled in hym.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the chamberlains; therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
King James Version (1611)
But the Queene Uasthi refused to come at the Kings commandement by his chamberlens: therefore was the King very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
But queen Astin hearkened not to him to come with the chamberlains: so the king was grieved and angered.
English Revised Version
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And sche forsook, and dispiside to come at the comaundement of the kyng, which he hadde sent bi the oneste and chast seruauntes. Wherfor the kyng was wrooth, and kyndlid bi fulgreet woodnesse; and he axide the wise men,
Update Bible Version
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the chamberlains: therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him.
Webster's Bible Translation
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by [his] chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
New King James Version
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.
New Living Translation
But when they conveyed the king's order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger.
New Life Bible
But Queen Vashti would not come when the king sent his servants to bring her. So the king became very angry and his anger burned within him.
New Revised Standard
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command conveyed by the eunuchs. At this the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But Queen Vashti refused to come in at the command of the king, which was given through the eunuchs, - and the king was exceeding wroth, and, his anger, burned within him.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But she refused, and would not come at the king’s commandment, which he had signified to her by the eunuchs. Whereupon the king, being angry, and inflamed with a very great fury,
Revised Standard Version
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command conveyed by the eunuchs. At this the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.
Young's Literal Translation
and the queen Vashti refuseth to come in at the word of the king that [is] by the hand of the eunuchs, and the king is very wroth, and his fury hath burned in him.
THE MESSAGE
But Queen Vashti refused to come, refused the summons delivered by the eunuchs. The king lost his temper. Seething with anger over her insolence, the king called in his counselors, all experts in legal matters. It was the king's practice to consult his expert advisors. Those closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven highest-ranking princes of Persia and Media, the inner circle with access to the king's ear. He asked them what legal recourse they had against Queen Vashti for not obeying King Xerxes' summons delivered by the eunuchs.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him.

Contextual Overview

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was glad with wine, he gave orders to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven unsexed servants who were waiting before Ahasuerus the king, 11 That Vashti the queen was to come before him, crowned with her crown, and let the people and the captains see her: for she was very beautiful. 12 But when the servants gave her the king's order, Vashti the queen said she would not come: then the king was very angry, and his heart was burning with wrath. 13 And the king said to the wise men, who had knowledge of the times, (for this was the king's way with all who were expert in law and in the giving of decisions: 14 And second only to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven rulers of Persia and Media, who were friends of the king, and had the first places in the kingdom:) 15 What is to be done by law to Vashti the queen, because she has not done what King Ahasuerus, by his servants, gave her orders to do? 16 And before the king and the captains, Memucan gave his answer: Vashti the queen has done wrong, not only to the king, but to all the captains and to all the peoples in all the divisions of the kingdom of King Ahasuerus; 17 For news of what the queen has done will come to the ears of all women, and they will no longer give respect to their husbands when it is said to them, King Ahasuerus gave orders for Vashti the queen to come before him and she came not. 18 And the wives of the captains of Persia and Media, hearing what the queen has done, will say the same to all the king's captains. So there will be much shame and wrath. 19 If it is pleasing to the king, let an order go out from him, and let it be recorded among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it may never be changed, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her place to another who is better than she.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the queen: This refusal of Vashti's, to expose herself to the view of such a group of drunken Bacchanalians, was highly praiseworthy, and became the dignity of her rank and the modesty of her sex.

refused: Genesis 3:16, Ephesians 5:22, Ephesians 5:24, 1 Peter 3:1

by his chamberlains: Heb. which was by the hand of his eunuchs

was the king: Proverbs 19:12, Proverbs 20:2, Daniel 2:12, Daniel 3:13, Daniel 3:19, Nahum 1:6, Revelation 6:16, Revelation 6:17

burned: Exodus 32:19, Exodus 32:22, Deuteronomy 29:20, Psalms 74:1, Psalms 79:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:18 - anger 2 Samuel 14:29 - but he would Esther 2:1 - what was decreed Esther 3:5 - full of wrath Esther 4:4 - chamberlains Esther 4:5 - appointed to attend upon her Esther 7:7 - in his wrath Proverbs 31:30 - Favour

Cross-References

Genesis 1:10
And God gave the dry land the name of Earth; and the waters together in their place were named Seas: and God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:11
And God said, Let grass come up on the earth, and plants producing seed, and fruit-trees giving fruit, in which is their seed, after their sort: and it was so.
Genesis 1:24
And God said, Let the earth give birth to all sorts of living things, cattle and all things moving on the earth, and beasts of the earth after their sort: and it was so.
Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, like us: and let him have rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every living thing which goes flat on the earth.
Isaiah 61:11
For as the earth puts out buds, and as the garden gives growth to the seeds which are planted in it, so the Lord will make righteousness and praise to be flowering before all the nations.
Mark 4:28
The earth gives fruit by herself; first the leaf, then the head, then the full grain.
Luke 6:44
For every tree is judged by its fruit. Men do not get figs from thorns, or grapes from blackberry plants.
2 Corinthians 9:10
And he who gives seed for putting into the field and bread for food, will take care of the growth of your seed, at the same time increasing the fruits of your righteousness;
Galatians 6:7
Be not tricked; God is not made sport of: for whatever seed a man puts in, that will he get back as grain.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But the queen refused to came at the king's commandment by his chamberlains,.... Even though he sent by them again, as the Targum; and so says Josephus o; which might not purely arise from pride in her, and contempt of him, but because she might conclude he was drunk, and knew not well what he did; and therefore had she come at his command, when he was himself and sober, he might blame her for coming, nay, use her ill for it, and especially if she was to come naked, as say the Jews p; and besides, it was contrary to the law of the Persians, as not only Josephus q, but Plutarch r observes, which suffered not women to be seen in public; and particularly did not allow their wives to be with them at feasts, only their concubines and harlots, with whom they could behave with more indecency; as for their wives, they were kept out of sight, at home s; and therefore Vashti might think it an indignity to be treated as an harlot or concubine:

therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him; which was the more fierce, as he was inflamed with wine.

o Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 1. p Targum in loc. Midrash Esther, fol. 90. 1. q Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 1. r In Themistoele. s Macrob. Saturnal. l. 7. c. 1.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 12. Vashti refused to come — And much should she be commended for it. What woman, possessing even a common share of prudence and modesty, could consent to expose herself to the view of such a group of drunken Bacchanalians? Her courage was equal to her modesty: she would resist the royal mandate, rather than violate the rules of chaste decorum.

Her contempt of worldly grandeur, when brought in competition with what every modest woman holds dear and sacred, is worthy of observation. She well knew that this act of disobedience would cost her her crown, if not her life also: but she was regardless of both, as she conceived her virtue and honour were at stake.

Her humility was greatly evidenced in this refusal. She was beautiful; and might have shown herself to great advantage, and have had a fine opportunity of gratifying her vanity, if she had any: but she refused to come.

Hail, noble woman! be thou a pattern to all thy sex on every similar occasion! Surely, every thing considered, we have few women like Vashti; for some of the highest of the land will dress and deck themselves with the utmost splendour, even to the selvedge of their fortunes, to exhibit themselves at balls, plays, galas, operas, and public assemblies of all kinds, (nearly half naked,) that they may be seen and admired of men, and even, to the endless reproach and broad suspicion of their honour and chastity, figure away in masquerades! Vashti must be considered at the top of her sex: -

Rara avis in terris, nigroque simillima cygno.

A black swan is not half so rare a bird.


 
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