Esther 1:15
New International Version
“According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”

New Living Translation
“What must be done to Queen Vashti?” the king demanded. “What penalty does the law provide for a queen who refuses to obey the king’s orders, properly sent through his eunuchs?”

English Standard Version
“According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti, because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?”

Berean Standard Bible
“According to law,” he asked, “what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey the command of King Xerxes delivered by the eunuchs?”

King James Bible
What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

New King James Version
“What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?”

New American Standard Bible
“According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, since she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?”

NASB 1995
“According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?”

NASB 1977
“According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?”

Legacy Standard Bible
“According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she did not do the declaration of King Ahasuerus delivered by the hand of the eunuchs?”

Amplified Bible
[He said,] “According to the law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus which was conveyed by the eunuchs?”

Christian Standard Bible
The king asked, “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus’s command that was delivered by the eunuchs? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king asked, “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus’s command that was delivered by the eunuchs?”

American Standard Version
What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

Contemporary English Version
The king said to them, "Queen Vashti refused to come to me when I sent my servants for her. What does the law say I should do about that?"

English Revised Version
What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"According to the royal decrees, what must we do with Queen Vashti since she did not obey King Xerxes' command, which the eunuchs delivered?"

Good News Translation
He said to these men, "I, King Xerxes, sent my servants to Queen Vashti with a command, and she refused to obey it! What does the law say that we should do with her?"

International Standard Version
The king inquired, "According to law, what should be done to Queen Vashti because she did not obey the order of King Ahasuerus that was delivered by the eunuchs?"

Majority Standard Bible
“According to law,” he asked, “what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey the command of King Xerxes delivered by the eunuchs?”

NET Bible
The king asked, "By law, what should be done to Queen Vashti in light of the fact that she has not obeyed the instructions of King Ahasuerus conveyed through the eunuchs?"

New Heart English Bible
"What shall we do to the queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of the King Achshayarsh by the eunuchs?"

Webster's Bible Translation
What shall we do to the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

World English Bible
“What shall we do to Queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of the King Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“According to law, what should [I] do with Queen Vashti, because that she has not done the saying of King Ahasuerus by the hand of the eunuchs?”

Young's Literal Translation
'According to law, what -- to do with queen Vashti, because that she hath not done the saying of the king Ahasuerus by the hand of the eunuchs?'

Smith's Literal Translation
According to the edict what to do against the queen Vashti, for that she did not the word of the king Ahasuerus by the hand of the eunuchs?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
What sentence ought to pass upon Vasthi the queen, who had refused to obey the commandment of king Assuerus, which he had sent to her by the eunuchs?

Catholic Public Domain Version
as to what sentence should fall upon Vashti the queen, who had refused to do the commandment of king Artaxerxes, which he had delivered to her by the eunuchs.

New American Bible
and asked them, “What is to be done by law with Queen Vashti for disobeying the order of King Ahasuerus issued through the eunuchs?”

New Revised Standard Version
“According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus conveyed by the eunuchs?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said, What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she has not performed the command of King Akhshirash by the eunuchs?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They said, “What ought to be done to Queen Vashti, because she has not done the word of King Akhashiresh who sent by the hand of the Eunuchs?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, forasmuch as she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and reported to him according to the laws how it was proper to do to queen Astin, because she had not done the things commanded of the king by the chamberlains.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Queen Vashti Deposed
14His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom. 15“According to law,” he asked, “what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey the command of King Xerxes delivered by the eunuchs?” 16And in the presence of the king and his princes, Memucan replied, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King Xerxes.…

Cross References
Daniel 6:8-15
Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” / Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. / Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. ...

Ezra 7:26
If anyone does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let a strict judgment be executed against him, whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.

Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

Proverbs 31:4-5
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, / lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

Ecclesiastes 8:2-4
Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God. / Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. / For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

Matthew 22:21
“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— / for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

1 Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

Deuteronomy 17:12
But the man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.

Titus 3:1
Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,

Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. / If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.


Treasury of Scripture

What shall we do to the queen Vashti according to law, because she has not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

What shall we do.

Esther 6:6
So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?

Jump to Previous
Ahasuerus Ahasu-E'rus Bidding Chamberlains Command Commandment Conveyed Delivered Eunuchs Forasmuch Hand Law Obey Obeyed Orders Performed Queen Servants Vashti Xerxes
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Ahasuerus Ahasu-E'rus Bidding Chamberlains Command Commandment Conveyed Delivered Eunuchs Forasmuch Hand Law Obey Obeyed Orders Performed Queen Servants Vashti Xerxes
Esther 1
1. Xerxes makes royal feasts.
10. Vashti, sent for, refuses to come.
13. Xerxes, by the counsel of Memucan, puts away Vashti, and decrees men's sovereignty.














According to the law
This phrase suggests a legal framework within the Persian Empire, which was known for its extensive and complex legal system. The Hebrew word used here is "kədat," which implies a formal, established decree or ordinance. In the context of the Book of Esther, this highlights the importance of law and order in the Persian court, reflecting a society that valued legal precedents and formal procedures. This emphasis on law underscores the gravity of Queen Vashti's actions and the subsequent need for a legal response.

What must be done
The phrase indicates a necessity for action, suggesting that Vashti's refusal to appear before the king was not merely a personal affront but a matter of state that required resolution. The Hebrew root "ʿāśâ" conveys the idea of making or doing, emphasizing the need for a decisive and authoritative response. This reflects the king's concern for maintaining authority and the societal norms of the time, where the actions of the queen could set a precedent for others.

Queen Vashti
Vashti's name is of Persian origin, and her role as queen places her in a position of significant influence and responsibility. Her refusal to obey the king's command is pivotal, as it challenges the established order and the king's authority. Historically, queens in the Persian Empire could wield considerable power, but they were also expected to adhere to the king's wishes. Vashti's actions set the stage for the introduction of Esther, highlighting themes of courage and the consequences of defying authority.

Because she has not obeyed
This phrase underscores the central issue of obedience to authority, a recurring theme in the Book of Esther. The Hebrew word "ʿābar" means to pass over or transgress, indicating that Vashti's actions were seen as a violation of expected conduct. In a broader biblical context, obedience is often linked to righteousness and order, and Vashti's disobedience is portrayed as a serious breach that necessitates a response.

The command of King Xerxes
King Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus, was a powerful ruler of the Persian Empire. His command carries the weight of royal authority, and the expectation was that it would be followed without question. The historical Xerxes was known for his ambitious projects and military campaigns, and his rule is characterized by both grandeur and strict control. This context highlights the tension between personal autonomy and the demands of authority, a theme that resonates throughout the narrative of Esther.

Delivered by the eunuchs
Eunuchs were trusted servants in the royal court, often holding significant administrative roles. Their involvement in delivering the king's command underscores the formal and official nature of the request. In the ancient Near East, eunuchs were seen as loyal and impartial, making them ideal messengers for sensitive matters. This detail adds to the gravity of the situation, as it was not a casual request but a formal decree communicated through official channels.

Verse 15. - What shall we do to queen Vashti according to law? Literally, "According to law, what is there to do to queen Vashti?" Law is given the prominent place, as though the king would say, Let us put aside feeling, and simply consider what the law is. If a queen disobeys the king openly in the face of his court, what, according to law, is to be done to her?

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“According to law,”
כְּדָת֙ (kə·ḏāṯ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1881: A royal edict, statute

he asked, “what
מַֽה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

should be done
לַּעֲשׂ֔וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

with Queen
בַּמַּלְכָּ֖ה (bam·mal·kāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4436: Queen -- a queen

Vashti,
וַשְׁתִּ֑י (waš·tî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2060: Vashti -- queen of Pers

since
עַ֣ל ׀ (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

she refused to obey
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

the command
מַאֲמַר֙ (ma·’ă·mar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3982: Something, said, an edict

of King
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Xerxes
אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ (’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 325: Ahasuerus -- king of Persia

delivered by
בְּיַ֖ד (bə·yaḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

the eunuchs?”
הַסָּרִיסִֽים׃ (has·sā·rî·sîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5631: A eunuch, valet, a minister of state


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OT History: Esther 1:15 What shall we do to the queen (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 1:14
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