Esther 1:13

Contemporary English Version

The king called in the seven highest officials of Persia and Media. They were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were very wise and understood all the laws and customs of the country, and the king always asked them what they thought about such matters.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The king consulted the wise men who understood the times, for it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice.

Hebrew Names Version
Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all who knew law and judgment;

King James Version
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:

English Standard Version
Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for this was the king's procedure toward all who were versed in law and judgment,

New Century Version
It was a custom for the king to ask advice from experts about law and order. So King Xerxes spoke with the wise men who would know the right thing to do.

New English Translation
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.

Amplified Bible
Then the king spoke to the wise men who understood the times [asking for their advice]—for it was the custom of the king to speak before all those who were familiar with law and legal matters—

New American Standard Bible
Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king to speak this way before all who knew Persian law and justice

World English Bible
Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all who knew law and judgment;

Geneva Bible (1587)
Then the King said to the wise men, that knew the times (for so was the Kings maner towards all that knew the law and the iudgement:

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times—for it was the custom of the king thus to speak before all who knew law and justice

Berean Standard Bible
Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice.

Complete Jewish Bible
As was the king's custom, he consulted sages well-versed in matters of law and justice.

Darby Translation
And the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for so was the king's business [conducted] before all that knew law and judgment;

Easy-to-Read Version
It was the custom for the king to ask the advice of the experts about the law and punishments. So King Xerxes spoke with the wise men who understood the laws. They were very close to the king. Their names were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven most important officials of Persia and Media. They had special privileges to see the king. They were the highest officials in the kingdom.

George Lamsa Translation
Then the king spoke to the wise men who knew the times (for this was the kings custom, he discussed matters in the presence of all who knew law and judgment).

Good News Translation
Now it was the king's custom to ask for expert opinion on questions of law and order, so he called for his advisers, who would know what should be done.

Lexham English Bible
And the king said to the wise men, the ones who know the times—for it was the procedure of the king before all those who knew law and rights;

Literal Translation
And the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for so was the king's manner toward all who knew law and judgment;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the kynge spake to ye wyse men that had vnderstondinge in the ordinaunces of the londe (for the kinges matters must be hadled before all soch as haue knowlege of the lawe and iudgment:

American Standard Version
Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment;

Bible in Basic English
And the king said to the wise men, who had knowledge of the times, (for this was the king's way with all who were expert in law and in the giving of decisions:

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the king spake to the wyse men which knewe the times (for so was the kinges maner towardes all that knewe the lawe and the iudgementes:

JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times--for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment;

King James Version (1611)
Then the king saide to the wise men, which knew the times (for so was the Kings maner towards all that knew law, and iudgement:

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And he said to his friends, Thus hast Astin spoken: pronounce therefore upon this case law and judgment.

English Revised Version
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment;

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
whiche bi the `kyngis custom weren euere with hym, and he dide alle thingis bi the counsel of hem, kunnynge the lawis and ritis of grettere men;

Update Bible Version
Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment;

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for so [was] the king's manner towards all that knew law and judgment:

New King James Version
Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king's manner toward all who knew law and justice,

New Living Translation
He immediately consulted with his wise advisers, who knew all the Persian laws and customs, for he always asked their advice.

New Life Bible
Then the king spoke to the wise men who understood the times. For it was the king's way to speak with all who knew law and what was right and fair.

New Revised Standard
Then the king consulted the sages who knew the laws (for this was the king's procedure toward all who were versed in law and custom,

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then said the king unto the wise men having knowledge of the times, - for, so, was the manner of the king before all having knowledge of law and judgment;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Asked the wise men, who according to the custom of the kings, were always near his person, and all he did was by their counsel, who knew the laws, and judgments of their forefathers:

Revised Standard Version
Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times--for this was the king's procedure toward all who were versed in law and judgment,

Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith to wise men, knowing the times -- for so [is] the word of the king before all knowing law and judgment,

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king so to speak before all who knew law and justice

Contextual Overview

¹⁰ By the seventh day, King Xerxes was feeling happy because of so much wine. And he asked his seven personal servants, Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, ¹¹ to bring Queen Vashti to him. The king wanted her to wear her crown and let his people and his officials see how beautiful she was. ¹² The king's servants told Queen Vashti what he had said, but she refused to go to him, and this made him terribly angry. ¹³The king called in the seven highest officials of Persia and Media. They were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were very wise and understood all the laws and customs of the country, and the king always asked them what they thought about such matters. ¹⁵ The king said to them, "Queen Vashti refused to come to me when I sent my servants for her. What does the law say I should do about that?" ¹⁶ Then Memucan told the king and the officials: Your Majesty, Queen Vashti has not only embarrassed you, but she has insulted your officials and everyone else in all the provinces. ¹⁷ The women in the kingdom will hear about this, and they will refuse to respect their husbands. They will say, "If Queen Vashti doesn't obey her husband, why should we?" ¹⁸ Before this day is over, the wives of the officials of Persia and Media will find out what Queen Vashti has done, and they will refuse to obey their husbands. They won't respect their husbands, and their husbands will be angry with them. ¹⁹ Your Majesty, if you agree, you should write for the Medes and Persians a law that can never be changed. This law would keep Queen Vashti from ever seeing you again. Then you could let someone who respects you be queen in her place. ²⁰ When the women in your great kingdom hear about this new law, they will respect their husbands, no matter if they are rich or poor.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the wise: Jeremiah 10:7, Daniel 2:2, Daniel 2:12, Daniel 2:27, Daniel 4:6, Daniel 4:7, Daniel 5:7, Matthew 2:1

knew: 1 Chronicles 12:32, Matthew 16:3

Reciprocal: Daniel 2:21 - he changeth

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then the king said to the wise men that knew the times,.... Astrologers, as Aben Ezra, that knew the fit time for doing anything; or that had knowledge of ancient times, historians, well read in history, and knew things that had happened similar to this:

for so was the king's manner towards all that knew law and judgment; it was customary with him in any case of difficulty to have the opinion and advice of those that were expert in the law, and well understood right and wrong. These are called by Herodotus t the king's judges.

t Thalia, sive, l. 3. c. 14, 31. so in Aelian. Var. Hist. l. 1. c. 34.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wise men ... - Not “astrologers,” who were unknown in Persia; but rather men of practical wisdom, who knew the facts and customs of former times.

For so was the king’s manner - Some render it: “for so was the king’s business laid before all that knew law ...”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 13. To the wise men — Probably the lawyers.