Esther 1:12
New International Version
But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.

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.

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.

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.

King James Bible
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 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.

NASB 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.

NASB 1977
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.

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.

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.

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.

Holman 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.

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.

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.

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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But Queen Vashti refused the king's command that the eunuchs delivered to her. As a result, the king became very angry, and his rage burned inside 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.

International Standard Version
Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's order that was brought by the eunuchs. Then the king flew into a rage.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the eunuchs. 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.

World English Bible
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the queen Vashti refuses to come in at the word of the king that [is] by the hand of the eunuchs, and the king is very angry, and his fury has burned in 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.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the queen Vashti will refuse to come in at the word of the king which was by the hand of the eunuchs: and the king will be angry greatly, and his wrath burnt in him.
Catholic Translations
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,

Catholic Public Domain Version
She refused, and she showed contempt towards the king’s command, which he had delivered to her by the eunuchs. Whereupon the king, being angry and inflamed with a very great fury,

New American Bible
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the royal order issued through the eunuchs. At this the king’s wrath flared up, and he burned with fury.

New 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.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command by the eunuchs; therefore the king was very wroth and his anger burned in him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Vashti the queen did not desire to enter in response when the King sent for her by the hand of the Eunuchs, and the King was very angry, and his anger was flaming.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But queen Astin hearkened not to him to come with the chamberlains: so the king was grieved and angered.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Queen Vashti's Refusal
11to bring Queen Vashti before him, wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and officials. For she was beautiful to behold. 12Queen 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.

Cross References
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.

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

1 Peter 3:1-6
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ...

Proverbs 21:9
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

1 Timothy 2:11-12
A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. / I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.

Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

1 Samuel 15:23
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.”

Proverbs 12:4
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

Matthew 22:3
He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.

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 Corinthians 7:4
The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife.

1 Kings 1:16-21
And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?” / “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’ / But now, behold, Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know it. ...

2 Samuel 6:16
As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

the queen.

refused.

Genesis 3:16
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Ephesians 5:22,24
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord…

1 Peter 3:1
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

by his chamberlains.

Proverbs 19:12
The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

Proverbs 20:2
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

Daniel 2:12
For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

burned.

Exodus 32:19,22
And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount…

Deuteronomy 29:20
The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

Psalm 74:1
Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

Jump to Previous
Anger Angry Attendants Burned Chamberlains Command Commandment Conveyed Delivered Enraged Eunuchs Furious Fury Hand Heart King's Queen Refused Refuseth Servants Vashti Within Word Wrath Wroth
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Anger Angry Attendants Burned Chamberlains Command Commandment Conveyed Delivered Enraged Eunuchs Furious Fury Hand Heart King's Queen Refused Refuseth Servants Vashti Within Word Wrath Wroth
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.














But Queen Vashti refused to come
The phrase "But Queen Vashti refused to come" marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Esther. The Hebrew word for "refused" is "מֵאֲנָה" (me'ana), which conveys a strong, deliberate act of will. Vashti's refusal is not a mere act of defiance but a courageous stand against the king's command, which was likely demeaning. In the historical context of the Persian Empire, where the king's word was law, Vashti's refusal is a bold assertion of personal dignity and agency. Her actions set the stage for the unfolding drama of the book of Esther, highlighting themes of courage and the consequences of standing up for one's beliefs.

at the king’s command
The phrase "at the king’s command" underscores the absolute authority wielded by King Xerxes (Ahasuerus). In the Persian Empire, the king's command was considered irrevocable and binding. The Hebrew word for "command" is "בְּמַאֲמַר" (bema'amar), indicating a formal decree. This highlights the gravity of Vashti's refusal, as it was not merely a personal slight but a challenge to the established order. The king's command reflects the societal norms of the time, where women were often seen as subservient to men, and Vashti's defiance is a precursor to the empowerment themes that resonate throughout the book.

delivered by his eunuchs
The phrase "delivered by his eunuchs" provides insight into the royal court's structure and the role of eunuchs as intermediaries. Eunuchs were trusted servants in ancient Near Eastern courts, often tasked with sensitive duties due to their perceived loyalty and lack of personal ambition. The use of eunuchs to convey the king's command emphasizes the formal and public nature of the request. This detail also serves to highlight the isolation of the king from direct interaction with his subjects, including his queen, and sets the stage for the subsequent events where intermediaries play crucial roles in the narrative.

and he became furious, and his anger burned within him
The phrase "and he became furious, and his anger burned within him" captures the intensity of King Xerxes' reaction to Vashti's refusal. The Hebrew words "וַיִּקְצֹף" (vayiktzof) for "furious" and "חָרָה" (charah) for "burned" convey a deep, consuming rage. This reaction is not only personal but also political, as Vashti's defiance threatens the king's authority and the societal order. The king's anger reflects the volatile nature of absolute power and foreshadows the drastic measures he will take in response. This moment of fury is a turning point that propels the narrative forward, ultimately leading to Esther's rise and the deliverance of the Jewish people.

Verse 12. - But the queen Vashti refused. Vashti's refusal was morally quite justifiable. Neither a husband's nor a king's authority extends to the wanton requirement of acts that, if done, would disgrace the doer for life. Had Vashti complied, she would have lost the respect not only of the Persian nation, but of the king himself. Therefore was the king very wroth. Had Ahasuerus really loved his wife, or been a man of fair and equitable disposition, be would have excused her refusal, and felt that he had deserved the rebuff. But, not really loving her, and being of a hot and ungovernable temper, he was violently enraged with her, as he always was when anything fell out contrary to his wishes (see Herod., 7:11, 35, 39, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Queen
הַמַּלְכָּ֣ה (ham·mal·kāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4436: Queen -- a queen

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

refused
וַתְּמָאֵ֞ן (wat·tə·mā·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3985: To refuse

to come
לָבוֹא֙ (lā·ḇō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

at the king’s
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

command
בִּדְבַ֣ר (biḏ·ḇar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

[brought] by
בְּיַ֣ד (bə·yaḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

[his] eunuchs.
הַסָּרִיסִ֑ים (has·sā·rî·sîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5631: A eunuch, valet, a minister of state

And the king
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

became furious,
וַיִּקְצֹ֤ף (way·yiq·ṣōp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7107: To crack off, burst out in rage

and his anger
וַחֲמָת֖וֹ (wa·ḥă·mā·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2534: Heat, anger, poison

burned
בָּעֲרָ֥ה (bā·‘ă·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1197: To kindle, consume, to be, brutish

within him.
בֽוֹ׃ (ḇōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: Esther 1:12 But the queen Vashti refused to come (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 1:11
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