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Douay-Rheims Bible

Esther 1:3

Now in the third year of his reign he made a great feast for all the princes, and for his servants, for the most mighty of the Persians, and the nobles of the Medes, and the governors of the provinces in his sight,

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Feasts;   Food;   Persia;   Shushan (Susa);   Thompson Chain Reference - Persia;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Diet of the Jews, the;   Medo-Persian Kingdom;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Chamberlain;   Feasts;   Shushan;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Media;   Persia;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Power;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Media;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Ahasuerus;   Esther;   Shethar;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Esther;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Joakim;   Nethinim;   Zaraias;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Medes, Media ;   Prince, Princess;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Ahasuerus;   Medes;   Vashti;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ahasue'rus;   Meals;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Esther, Book of;   Medes;   Noble;   Persia;   Prince;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Ahasuerus;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Banquets;   Esdras, Books of;   Lilith;   Media;   Persia;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for June 6;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
He held a feast in the third year of his reign for all his officials and staff, the army of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the officials from the provinces.
Hebrew Names Version
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast to all his princes and his servants; the power of Paras and Madai, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him;
King James Version
In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
English Standard Version
in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him,
New Century Version
In the third year of his rule, he gave a banquet for all his important men and royal officers. The army leaders from the countries of Persia and Media and the important men from all Xerxes' empire were there.
New English Translation
in the third year of his reign he provided a banquet for all his officials and his servants. The army of Persia and Media was present, as well as the nobles and the officials of the provinces.
Amplified Bible
in the third year of his reign he held a banquet for all his officials and his attendants. The army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the officials of the provinces were there in his presence.
New American Standard Bible
in the third year of his reign he held a banquet for all his officials and attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the officials of his provinces, in his presence.
World English Bible
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast to all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him;
Geneva Bible (1587)
In the third yeere of his reigne, he made a feast vnto all his princes and his seruants, euen the power of Persia and Media, and to the captaines and gouernours of the prouinces which were before him,
Legacy Standard Bible
in the third year of his reign, he held a feast for all his princes and servants, the military officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes of his provinces being in his presence,
Berean Standard Bible
In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces.
Contemporary English Version
During the third year of his rule, Xerxes gave a big dinner for all his officials and officers. The governors and leaders of the provinces were also invited, and even the commanders of the Persian and Median armies came.
Complete Jewish Bible
in the third year of his reign, that he gave a banquet for all his officials and courtiers. The army of Persia and Media, the nobles and the provincial officials were in attendance.
Darby Translation
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast to all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes of the provinces being before him;
Easy-to-Read Version
In the third year of Xerxes' rule, he gave a party for his officers and leaders. The army leaders and important leaders from all of Persia and Media were there.
George Lamsa Translation
In the third year of his reign, he made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, the mighty men of Persia and Media and the kings nobles and the governors of the provinces being before him.
Good News Translation
In the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his officials and administrators. The armies of Persia and Media were present, as well as the governors and noblemen of the provinces.
Lexham English Bible
he gave a banquet in the third year of his reign for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and officials of the provinces were in his presence
Literal Translation
in the third year of his reign, he made a banquet for all his rulers and his servants. The power of Persia and Media, the nobles and the rulers of the provinces, were before him,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
in the thirde yeare of his reigne, he made a feast vnto all his prynces and seruauntes, namely vnto the mightie men of Persia and Media, to the Debities and rulers of his countrees,
American Standard Version
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him;
Bible in Basic English
In the third year of his rule he gave a feast to all his captains and his servants; and the captains of the army of Persia and Media, the great men and the rulers of the divisions of his kingdom, were present before him;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
In the third yere of his raigne, he made a feast vnto all his princes & seruauntes: and the mightie men of Persia and Media, the captaynes also and rulers of his countreys were before hym.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him;
King James Version (1611)
In the third yeere of his reigne, he made a feast vnto all his Princes, and his seruants, the power of Persia and Media, the Nobles and Princes of the prouinces being before him.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast to his friends, and the other nations, and to the nobles of the Persians and Medes, and the chief of the satraps.
English Revised Version
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor in the thridde yeer of his empire he made a greet feeste to alle hise princes and children, the strongeste men of Persis, and to the noble men of Medeis, and to the prefectis of prouynces, bifor him silf,
Update Bible Version
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast to all his princes and his slaves; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him;
Webster's Bible Translation
In the third year of his reign, he made a feast to all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him:
New King James Version
that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his officials and servants--the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces being before him--
New Living Translation
In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. He invited all the military officers of Persia and Media as well as the princes and nobles of the provinces.
New Life Bible
In the third year of his rule, he gave a special supper for all his princes and leaders. The army captains of Persia and Media, the important men and princes of the many parts of the country were there with him.
New Revised Standard
in the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his officials and ministers. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were present,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
in the third year of his reign, he made a banquet unto all his rulers, and his servants, - the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and the rulers being before him;
Revised Standard Version
in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his princes and servants, the army chiefs of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces being before him,
Young's Literal Translation
in the third year of his reign, he hath made a banquet to all his heads and his servants; of the force of Persia and Media, the chiefs and heads of the provinces [are] before him,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his princes and attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes of his provinces being in his presence.

Contextual Overview

1 In the days of Assuerus, who reigned from India to Ethiopia over a hundred and twenty seven provinces: 2 When he sat on the throne of his kingdom, the city Susan was the capital of his kingdom. 3 Now in the third year of his reign he made a great feast for all the princes, and for his servants, for the most mighty of the Persians, and the nobles of the Medes, and the governors of the provinces in his sight, 4 That he might shew the riches of the glory of his kingdom, and the greatness, and boasting of his power, for a long time, to wit, for a hundred and fourscore days. 5 And when the days of the feast were expired, he invited all the people that were found in Susan, from the greatest to the least: and commanded a feast to be made seven days in the court of the garden, and of the wood, which was planted by the care and the hand of the king. 6 And there were hung up on every side sky coloured, and green, and violet hangings, fastened with cords of silk, and of purple, which were put into rings of ivory, and were held up with marble pillars. The beds also were of gold and silver, placed in order upon a floor paved with porphyry and white marble: which was embellished with painting of wonderful variety. 7 And they that were invited, drank in golden cups, and the meats were brought in divers vessels one after another. Wine also in abundance and of the best was presented, as was worthy of a king’s magnificence. 8 Neither was there any one to compel them to drink that were not willing, but as the king had appointed, who set over every table one of his nobles, that every man might take what he would. 9 Also Vasthi the queen made a feast for the women in the palace, where king Assuerus was used to dwell.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

am 3542, bc 462

he made: Esther 2:18, Genesis 40:20, 1 Kings 3:15, Daniel 5:1, Mark 6:21

of Persia: Esther 1:14, Ezra 1:2, Isaiah 21:2, Jeremiah 51:11, Daniel 5:28, Daniel 8:20

the nobles: Daniel 3:2, Daniel 3:3, Daniel 6:1, Daniel 6:6, Daniel 6:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:8 - feast 1 Samuel 25:36 - a feast 2 Samuel 3:20 - David Ezra 2:1 - the children Esther 3:7 - in the twelfth Jeremiah 51:28 - the kings Daniel 8:3 - one Luke 7:25 - are in 1 John 2:16 - and the pride

Cross-References

Job 36:30
And lighten with his light from above, he shall cover also the ends of the sea.
Job 38:19
Where is the way where light dwelleth, and where is the place of darkness?
Psalms 33:6
(32-6) By the word of the Lord the heavens were established; and all the power of them by the spirit of his mouth:
Psalms 33:9
(32-9) For he spoke and they were made: he commanded and they were created.
Psalms 97:11
(96-11) Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.
Psalms 104:2
(103-2) And art clothed with light as with a garment. Who stretchest out the heaven like a pavilion:
Psalms 118:27
(117-27) The Lord is God, and he hath shone upon us. Appoint a solemn day, with shady boughs, even to the horn of the altar.
Psalms 148:5
Praise the name of the Lord. For he spoke, and they were made: he commanded, and they were created.
Isaiah 45:7
I form the light, and create darkness, I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord that do all these things.
Isaiah 60:19
Thou shalt no more have the sun for thy light by day, neither shall the brightness of the moon enlighten thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee for an everlasting light, and thy God for thy glory.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

In the third year of his reign he made a feast unto all his princes, and his servants,.... The nobles and officers in his court; on what account this was cannot be said with certainty, whether the first day of it was his birthday, or the day of his coming to the throne, on which day Xerxes used to make a feast annually, as Herodotus relates f:

the power of Persia and Media; the mighty men therein, the potentates thereof; or the "army", the principal officers of it:

the nobles and princes of the provinces being with him. The first word Aben Ezra declares his ignorance of, whether it is Hebrew or Persian; Jarchi interprets it governors; and the persons intended by both seem to be the deputy governors of the one hundred and twenty seven provinces who were present at this feast. Xerxes, having reduced Egypt, meditated a war with Greece, to which he was pressed by Mardonius, a relation of his; upon which he summoned the chief men of his kingdom, to have their advice about it g, which perhaps was taken at this time; for it was in the third year of his reign he resolved upon the war, and began to make preparations for it; and it was usual, at banquets and feasts, that the Persians debated their most important affairs h.

f lb. (Herodot.) Calliope, sive, l. 9. c. 109. g Ib. l. 7. c. 8. h lb. Clio, sive, l. 1. c. 133.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

In the third year - In this year, 483 B.C., Xerxes assembled the governors of provinces at Susa, in connection with his contemplated expedition against Greece.

The nobles - literally, “the first men.” The Hebrew word used is one adopted from the Persian.


 
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