Esther 1:19

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.

Esther 1:19 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 1:19

If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from
him
Not only a proclamation made, but a law enacted and published by royal authority: and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and Medes that it
be not altered;
for so it was, that when a law was made, and signed, and sealed, and registered among the laws of the kingdom, it remained unalterable, ( Daniel 6:8 Daniel 6:15 ) , this precaution Memucan took for his own safety; for had the king acted upon his advice, without passing it into a law in such form, he might change his mind, and recall Vashti, who would not fail of venting her wrath upon the counsellor, and so he be in danger of losing his life for it: that Vashti come no more before King Ahasuerus;
but be entirely divorced, never to be received any more: and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than
she;
or "to her companions" ^F26; that was with her in the house of the women in the seraglio; one that was fairer, as the Targum, or of a better disposition than her; let her be made queen, and enjoy all the honour, and dignity, and marks of royalty Vashti did; her throne, her crown, and royal apparel, as it is interpreted in an ancient Jewish writing ^F1.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 (htwerl) "sodali ejus", Montanus; "sociae ejus", Tigurine version, Drusius, Rambachius.
F1 Tikkune Zohar, correct. 21. fol. 59. 2.

Esther 1:19 In-Context

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.

20 And when this order, given by the king, is made public through all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give honour to their husbands, great as well as small.

21 And this suggestion seemed good to the king and the captains; and the king did as Memucan said;