Esther 1:16 net — Memucan then replied to the king and the officials,“The wrong of Queen Vashti is not against the king alone, but agains…

NET Bible

"Memucan then replied to the king and the officials,“The wrong of Queen Vashti is not against the king alone, but against all the officials and all the people who are throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus."

— Esther 1:16, NET Bible

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Esther 1:16 in Other Translations

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Esther 1 — Context

13

The king then inquired of the wise men who were discerners of the times– for it was the royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities.

14

Those who were closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were the seven officials of Persia and Media who saw the king on a regular basis and had the most prominent offices in the kingdom.

15

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?”

16

Memucan then replied to the king and the officials,“The wrong of Queen Vashti is not against the king alone, but against all the officials and all the people who are throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.

17

For the matter concerning the queen will spread to all the women, leading them to treat their husbands with contempt, saying,‘When King Ahasuerus gave orders to bring Queen Vashti into his presence, she would not come.’

18

And this very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard the matter concerning the queen will respond in the same way to all the royal officials, and there will be more than enough contempt and anger!

19

If the king is so inclined, let a royal edict go forth from him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media that cannot be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king convey her royalty to another who is more deserving than she.

Esther 1:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Esther 1:16 say?
Esther 1:16 in the NET Bible reads: “Memucan then replied to the king and the officials,“The wrong of Queen Vashti is not against the king alone, but against all the officials and all the people who are throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.”
Where is Esther 1:16 in the Bible?
Esther 1:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Esther, chapter 1, verse 16.
Who wrote Esther?
Esther is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Mordecai). It was written c. 460–400 BC.
What is the book of Esther about?
Esther tells how a Jewish orphan becomes queen of Persia and risks her life to save her people from genocide. Though God's name is never mentioned, his unseen providence is woven through every reversal — and the Jewish festival of Purim still celebrates the deliverance.
What are the major themes of Esther?
Esther explores themes including Providence, Courage, Deliverance, Identity, Reversal. These themes shape the meaning and context of Esther 1:16.
What translation should I read Esther 1:16 in?
Esther 1:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Esther 1:16?
Esther 1:16 reads (NET): “Memucan then replied to the king and the officials,“The wrong of Queen Vashti is not against the king alone, but against all the officials and all the people who are throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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