Esther Chapter 1

Feast of Ahasuerus

1:1 Now it so happened in the days of Ahasuerusאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
Transliteration;’ăḥašvērôš Pronunciation akh-ash-vay-rosh’ Ahasuerus = “I will be silent and poor” title of the king of Persia, probably Xerxes successor to Cyrus, toward the end of the 70 years of Babylonian exile. 4th century B.C.E. (Rashi) For more info click here, (he is Ahasuerusאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
Transliteration;’ăḥašvērôš Pronunciation akh-ash-vay-rosh’ Ahasuerus = “I will be silent and poor” title of the king of Persia, probably Xerxes successor to Cyrus, toward the end of the 70 years of Babylonian exile. 4th century B.C.E. (Rashi) For more info click here who reigned, from India (Hodu) to Ethiopiaכּוּשׁ
Pronunciation: koosh meaning “black” the son of Ham and grandson of Noah and the progenitor of the southernmost peoples located in Africa or the peoples descended from Cush also as a proper locative noun the land occupied by the descendants of Cush located around the southern parts of the Nile (Ethiopia) For more info click here, over one hundred and twenty seven provinces*שֶׁבַע וְעֶשְׂרִים וּמֵאָה מְדִינָה
127 provinces Rabbi Akiva was giving a lecture when he noticed that his students were drowsing. In order to them asked, “Why was it seen fit that Esther should rule over 127 provinces? Because thus said G-d: Let the daughter of Sarah who lived 127 years come and reign over 127 provinces” (Midrash) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther: )
1:2 In those days, when the king Ahasuerusאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
Transliteration;’ăḥašvērôš Pronunciation akh-ash-vay-rosh’ Ahasuerus = “I will be silent and poor” title of the king of Persia, probably Xerxes successor to Cyrus, toward the end of the 70 years of Babylonian exile. 4th century B.C.E. (Rashi) For more info click here sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in  Shushan the palace,
1:3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his officials and servants; the army of Persiaפָּרַס
Transliteration: pāras – proper noun with reference to territory and people – Persia” is the historical name used in the West for the region and civilization of ancient Iran, which served as the dominant power in western Asia for over twelve centuries through three successive native dynasties—the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sasanian—ruling empires of unprecedented size and complexity. The term “Persia” originates from the Greek designation for Persis (or Parsa), the southwestern Iranian homeland of the Persians, while the indigenous name “Iran” derives from ancient Aryan roots used internally since antiquity. for more info click here and Media, the nobles and officials of the provinces, were present:
1:4 When he displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, one hundred and eighty days.*שְׁמוֹנִים וּמְאַת יוֹם
One hundred and a hundred and eighty days The last day was as lavish as the first (Misrash).
Our sages have told us that Nebuchadnezzar had 1080 different treasures which were buried in the bed of the river Euphrates. God revealed this hiding place to Cyrus, predecessor of Ahasuerus, as a reward for having given orders to rebuild the Temple. Ahasuerus inherited this fortune from him and he displayed the inheritance to the guests at this party. The Midrash tells us that he showed them six treasures a day as is symbolized by the six superlatives mentioned in the verse riches, glory, kingdom, splendor, excellence and majesty. At this pace it took him exactly 180 days to go through all his wealth, because 180X6=1080 (Vilna Goan) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther
1:5 And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Shushanבְּשׁוּשַׁן
Transliteration: bᵊšûšan – proper locative noun – Shushan or Susa = “lily”- the winter residence of the Persian kings; located on the river Ulai or Choaspes. for more info click here the palace, great and small alike, in the courtyard of the garden of the king’s palace;
1:6 There were [curtains of] white cotton and violet wool, held with threads of fine linen and purple wool on silver rings and pillars of white marble: the couches of gold and silver, on a mosaic of colorful marble flooring.
1:7 And they gave out drinks in vessels of gold, the vessels being different from one another, and royal wine in abundance, according to the King’s wealth.
1:8 And the drinking was according to the law; there was no intimidation: because the king given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired.
1:9 Queen Vashtiוַשְׁתִּי
Transliteration;’vaštî Pronunciation vash-tee’ Vashti = “beautiful” The daughter of Belshazzar and granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzar (Sedr Hadoros) For more info click here also made a feast for the women in the royal house that belonged to king Ahasuerusאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
Transliteration;’ăḥašvērôš Pronunciation akh-ash-vay-rosh’ Ahasuerus = “I will be silent and poor” title of the king of Persia (Iran), probably Xerxes successor to Cyrus, toward the end of the 70 years of Babylonian exile. 4th century B.C.E. (Rashi) For more info click here.

Vashti Refuses to come

1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he said to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona (or Harbonah), Bigtha (meaning booty), and Abagtha (meaning God-given), Zethar (meaning star), and Carcas (meaning severe), the seven eunuchs who attended King Ahasuerusאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
Transliteration;’ăḥašvērôš Pronunciation akh-ash-vay-rosh’ Ahasuerus = “I will be silent and poor” title of the king of Persia (Iran), probably Xerxes successor to Cyrus, toward the end of the 70 years of Babylonian exile. 4th century B.C.E. (Rashi) For more info click here,
1:11 to bring Vashtiוַשְׁתִּי
Transliteration;’vaštî Pronunciation vash-tee’ Vashti = “beautiful” The daughter of Belshazzar and granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzar (Sedr Hadoros) For more info click here the queen before the king wearing the royal crown*בְּכֶתֶר מַלְכוּת
Wearing the royal crown i.e. ‘only with the royal crown’ i.e. unclothed, so her true beauty could be appreciated (Midrash). – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther, to show off to the people and the officials her beauty. Because she was beautiful to look on.
1:12 But Queen Vashtiוַשְׁתִּי
Transliteration;’vaštî Pronunciation vash-tee’ Vashti = “beautiful” The daughter of Belshazzar and granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzar (Sedr Hadoros) For more info click here refused to come at the king’s command [carried] by his eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, This made the king furious.

Vashti’s punishment

1:13 Then the king said to the wise men*לַחֲכָמִים
With the experts. Literally ‘the wise men.’ the Talmud (Meg 12B) understands this to be Rabbis. – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther, who knew the times*דְעֵי הָעִתִּים
Who knew the times. That is, who knew how to calculate the timing of leap years and fix new moons (Meg 12B). – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther, (for this was the king’s procedure toward all who were versed in law and judgment:
1:14 And those closest to him [were] Carshena (meaning illustrious), Shethar (meaning a star), Admatha (meaning a testimony to them), Tarshish (or Tharshish), Meres (meaning lofty), Marsena (meaning worthy), [and] Memucan (meaning dignified), the seven officers of Persiaפָּרַס
Transliteration: pāras – proper noun with reference to territory and people – Persia” is the historical name used in the West for the region and civilization of ancient Iran, which served as the dominant power in western Asia for over twelve centuries through three successive native dynasties—the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sasanian—ruling empires of unprecedented size and complexity. The term “Persia” originates from the Greek designation for Persis (or Parsa), the southwestern Iranian homeland of the Persians, while the indigenous name “Iran” derives from ancient Aryan roots used internally since antiquity. for more info click here and Media (or Medes or Madai), who had access to the king, and who sat first in the kingdom; )
1:15 According to the law what should be done with Queen Vashtiוַשְׁתִּי
Transliteration;’vaštî Pronunciation vash-tee’ Vashti = “beautiful” The daughter of Belshazzar and granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzar (Sedr Hadoros) For more info click here , because she hasn’t obeyed the command of the King Ahasuerusאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
Transliteration;’ăḥašvērôš Pronunciation akh-ash-vay-rosh’ Ahasuerus = “I will be silent and poor” title of the king of Persia (Iran), probably Xerxes successor to Cyrus, toward the end of the 70 years of Babylonian exile. 4th century B.C.E. (Rashi) For more info click here [carried] by the eunuchs?
1:16 And Memucan declared*וַיֹּאמֶר מְמוּכָן
Memucan declared. A Tanna taught: Memucan is Haman. Why is he called Memucan? Because he was destined [מְמוּכָן] for destruction. Rav Kahana said: ‘From here we see that an ignoramus always thrusts himself to the forefront.’ Memucan is mentioned last in verse 14 yet he speaks first (Meg 12B: Midrash)– From The Megillah: The Book of Esther in the presence of the king and the officials, not only has Queen Vashtiוַשְׁתִּי
Transliteration;’vaštî Pronunciation vash-tee’ Vashti = “beautiful” The daughter of Belshazzar and granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzar (Sedr Hadoros) For more info click here done wrong to the king , but also to all the officials, and to all the people who [are] in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerusאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
Transliteration;’ăḥašvērôš Pronunciation akh-ash-vay-rosh’ Ahasuerus = “I will be silent and poor” title of the king of Persia (Iran), probably Xerxes successor to Cyrus, toward the end of the 70 years of Babylonian exile. 4th century B.C.E. (Rashi) For more info click here
1:17 Because of this act of the Queen’s will become known to all women, causing them to look with contempt at their husbands, since they will say King Ahasuerusאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
Transliteration;’ăḥašvērôš Pronunciation akh-ash-vay-rosh’ Ahasuerus = “I will be silent and poor” title of the king of Persia (Iran), probably Xerxes successor to Cyrus, toward the end of the 70 years of Babylonian exile. 4th century B.C.E. (Rashi) For more info click here commanded Queen Vashtiוַשְׁתִּי
Transliteration;’vaštî Pronunciation vash-tee’ Vashti = “beautiful” The daughter of Belshazzar and granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzar (Sedr Hadoros) For more info click here to be brought before him, but she wouldn’t come.
1:18 And this day the princesses of Persiaפָּרַס
Transliteration: pāras – proper noun with reference to territory and people – Persia” is the historical name used in the West for the region and civilization of ancient Iran, which served as the dominant power in western Asia for over twelve centuries through three successive native dynasties—the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sasanian—ruling empires of unprecedented size and complexity. The term “Persia” originates from the Greek designation for Persis (or Parsa), the southwestern Iranian homeland of the Persians, while the indigenous name “Iran” derives from ancient Aryan roots used internally since antiquity. for more info click here and Media who have heard the queen’s conduct will mention it to all the king’s officials, and there will be no end of contempt and strife.
1:19 If it pleases his majesty, let him issue a royal order, and let it be written into the laws of Persiaפָּרַס
Transliteration: pāras – proper noun with reference to territory and people – Persia” is the historical name used in the West for the region and civilization of ancient Iran, which served as the dominant power in western Asia for over twelve centuries through three successive native dynasties—the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sasanian—ruling empires of unprecedented size and complexity. The term “Persia” originates from the Greek designation for Persis (or Parsa), the southwestern Iranian homeland of the Persians, while the indigenous name “Iran” derives from ancient Aryan roots used internally since antiquity. for more info click here and Media so that it can’t be revoked, that Vashtiוַשְׁתִּי
Transliteration;’vaštî Pronunciation vash-tee’ Vashti = “beautiful” The daughter of Belshazzar and granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzar (Sedr Hadoros) For more info click here can never again appear before King Ahasuerusאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
Transliteration;’ăḥašvērôš Pronunciation akh-ash-vay-rosh’ Ahasuerus = “I will be silent and poor” title of the king of Persia (Iran), probably Xerxes successor to Cyrus, toward the end of the 70 years of Babylonian exile. 4th century B.C.E. (Rashi) For more info click here. And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she is.
1:20 Ten the king’s decree which he will proclaim shall throughout all his kingdom, (because it is great,) all wives will give honor their husbands,  great and small alike.
1:21 The proposal pleased the king and the officials; and the king did like Memucan proposed:
1:22 He sent letters to all the king’s provinces, into every province according to its own script, and to every people in its own language, so that every man should be ruling in his house, and speak the language of his own people.