Esther 1:22
For 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 that it should be published according to the language of every people.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח
For he sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח
For he sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 22
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
סְפָרִים֙
letters
H5612
סְפָרִים֙
letters
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּמְדִינָה֙
into every province
H4082
וּמְדִינָה֙
into every province
Strong's:
H4082
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
וּמְדִינָה֙
into every province
H4082
וּמְדִינָה֙
into every province
Strong's:
H4082
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
וּמְדִינָה֙
into every province
H4082
וּמְדִינָה֙
into every province
Strong's:
H4082
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ
according to the writing
H3791
כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ
according to the writing
Strong's:
H3791
Word #:
10 of 22
something written, i.e., a writing, record or book
עַמּֽוֹ׃
of every people
H5971
עַמּֽוֹ׃
of every people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עַמּֽוֹ׃
of every people
H5971
עַמּֽוֹ׃
of every people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
13 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּלְשׁ֥וֹן
according to the language
H3956
כִּלְשׁ֥וֹן
according to the language
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
14 of 22
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
לִֽהְי֤וֹת
H1961
לִֽהְי֤וֹת
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִישׁ֙
that every man
H376
אִישׁ֙
that every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
17 of 22
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
שֹׂרֵ֣ר
should bear rule
H8323
שֹׂרֵ֣ר
should bear rule
Strong's:
H8323
Word #:
18 of 22
to have (transitively, exercise; reflexively, get) dominion
בְּבֵית֔וֹ
in his own house
H1004
בְּבֵית֔וֹ
in his own house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
19 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וּמְדַבֵּ֖ר
and that it should be published
H1696
וּמְדַבֵּ֖ר
and that it should be published
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
20 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
Esther 8:9Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.Esther 3:12Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.1 Timothy 2:12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
Historical Context
Persian administrative efficiency enabled rapid empire-wide communication. Archaeological discoveries including the Behistun Inscription show decrees were translated into multiple languages (Old Persian, Elamite, Akkadian) for diverse populations. The decree's content—mandating male household authority—suggests the counselors used Vashti's situation to impose patriarchal order throughout the empire. The phrase 'according to the language of every people' demonstrates Persian administrative sophistication accommodating the empire's linguistic diversity. This final verse of chapter 1 concludes Vashti's story and sets stage for Esther's entrance, showing how God's providence works through imperial bureaucracy and unjust decrees.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the need for empire-wide decree about household authority reveal about the fragility of power maintained only by force?
- How does this chapter's conclusion demonstrate God's providence using human injustice to position Esther for saving Jews?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Proclamation sent: 'For 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 that it should be published according to the language of every people'. The decree was sent empire-wide in multiple languages, ensuring all could understand the edict mandating male household authority. The phrase 'every man should bear rule in his own house' made explicit what was implicit—this was about securing male dominance, not merely addressing one queen's disobedience. The translation into every provincial language shows administrative sophistication but also reveals insecurity—requiring empire-wide decree to compel household obedience demonstrates weakness in the very authority claimed. This decree, though unjust, completed Vashti's removal and necessitated queen search that would bring Esther to the throne.