Esther 1:20

20 And let the law of the king which he shall have made, be widely proclaimed, in his kingdom: and so shall all the women give honour to their husbands, from the poor even to the rich.

Esther 1:20 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 1:20

And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be
published throughout all his empire
As it was proper it should, since the report of the queen's deed would be made everywhere: for it is great;
the empire consisting of one hundred and twenty seven provinces, ( Esther 1:1 ) , Aben Ezra and Abendana interpret it, "though" it is great, yet the decree should be published throughout; the latter observes, that this may respect the king's decree; and so the Targum is,

``for his decree is great;''
it respecting a matter of great importance, and relating to a great personage, and would have great effect on the minds of persons, when it was observed that one so great was treated in this manner: and therefore all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and
small;
speaking respectfully to them, yielding a ready and cheerful obedience to all their commands; which would be done to princes and peasants, to high and low, to every rank of men.

Esther 1:20 In-Context

18 so this day shall the other ladies of the chiefs of the Persians and Medes, having heard what she said to the king, dare in the same way to dishonour their husbands.
19 If then it seem good to the king, let him make a royal decree, and let it be written according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, and let him not alter : and let not the queen come in to him any more; and let the king give her royalty to a woman better than she.
20 And let the law of the king which he shall have made, be widely proclaimed, in his kingdom: and so shall all the women give honour to their husbands, from the poor even to the rich.
21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did as Muchaeus had said,
22 and sent into all his kingdom through the several provinces, according to their language, in order that men might be feared in their own houses.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.