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Esther 1:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Esther 1:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
Esther 1:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Esther 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And this day will the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen say [the like] unto all the king`s princes. So [will there arise] much contempt and wrath.
19If it please the king, let there go forth a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
20And when the king`s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.
21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
22for he sent letters into all the king`s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and should speak according to the language of his people.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the saying pleased the king and the princes, etc.] The king, and the other six princes and counsellors, approved of the proposal, and unanimously agreed to it: and the king did according to the word of Memucan; passed a law according to his advice, and signed and sealed it, and registered it among the laws of the kingdom, not to be revoked.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“pleased the king: Heb. was good in the eyes of the king, Est 1:19, Est 2:4; Gen 41:37 Esther 1:22”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The saying pleased the king and the princes, and the king carried it into execution. He sent letters into all his provinces to make known his commands, and to let all husbands know, that they were to bear rule in their own houses. "In every province according to its writing, and to every people according to their speech" (comp. Est 8:9), that his will might be clearly understood by all the subjects of his wide domain, who spoke different languages and used different alphabetical characters. The contents of these letters follow in וגו להיות, that every man should be master in his own house. These words state only the chief matter and object of the edict; but they presuppose that the fact…”
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Sources and verification