Esther 1:10
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Court eunuchs held crucial positions in ancient Near Eastern royal households, particularly in Persia. Castration created dependence on royal favor (no family dynasty to pursue) and allowed access to women's quarters without sexual risk. Greek sources describe Persian court eunuchs wielding significant power, sometimes acting as king-makers during succession crises. The Bible mentions eunuchs in various contexts (2 Kings 20:18; Isaiah 39:7; Daniel 1:3), reflecting their prominence in ancient court systems.
The specific number seven resonates with Persian administrative practices. Herodotus describes seven Persian nobles who overthrew the usurper Smerdis and elevated Darius I. These "seven families" of Persia maintained privileged status, including automatic access to the king (Esther 1:14). The number seven carried symbolic significance in Persian culture, reflected in administrative structures. The use of seven eunuchs for this summons paralleled the seven noble counselors who later advised the king (v. 14).
Wine's role in precipitating poor royal decisions appears throughout ancient literature. Biblical examples include Noah (Genesis 9:21), Lot (Genesis 19:33), and Belshazzar (Daniel 5). The pattern of excessive drinking leading to moral compromise and political crisis recurs across cultures and eras. Persian kings' legendary drinking, described by Greek historians, created vulnerability to manipulation and poor judgment, as demonstrated here.
Questions for Reflection
- What does this passage teach about alcohol's effects on judgment, self-control, and moral reasoning?
- How should believers distinguish between legitimate authority that deserves submission and illegitimate demands that require resistance?
- What principles guide Christian response when procedurally correct authority makes morally wrong demands?
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Analysis & Commentary
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, The phrase "when the heart of the king was merry with wine" (k'tov lev-hamelekh b'yayin, כְּטוֹב לֵב־הַמֶּלֶךְ בַּיָּיִן) euphemistically describes drunkenness. The idiom "heart was merry" suggests impaired judgment, lowered inhibitions, and compromised reasoning—conditions for poor decisions. The timing on the "seventh day" indicates sustained excessive drinking throughout the feast, cumulating in this drunken command.
The narrative names seven eunuch chamberlains (sarisim, סָרִיסִים), emphasizing the formality and official nature of the summons. These names—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas—are Persian, demonstrating the author's knowledge of court life. The specific number seven reflects Persian administrative structure: Esther 1:14 mentions seven princes who "saw the king's face," and Persian administrative texts document seven-member councils. Each eunuch likely held specific responsibilities in the royal household.
The designation "chamberlains that served in the presence of the king" (hameshartim et-p'nei hamelekh, הַמְשָׁרְתִים אֶת־פְּנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ) indicates trusted personal attendants with access to both the king and the queen's quarters. Using multiple officials for this summons emphasizes its formal, official character—not a casual request but a royal command. This detail heightens the seriousness of Vashti's refusal: she rejected not merely a drunken husband's whim but an official royal decree delivered by seven witnesses.