And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
And when the king's decree that he will make is announced throughout his entire kingdom (which is very large), all wives will show respect to their husbands, whether they are important or ordinary people.
The king's advisors believed that making a public decree would ensure all wives throughout the empire would respect their husbands.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Esther, which is set in the ancient Persian Empire during the reign of King Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I), the king holds a grand feast and commands his queen, Vashti, to appear before his guests, but she refuses. This leads to a decree aimed at preserving the king's authority and social order, declaring that wives should honor their husbands to reinforce patriarchal norms. The story reflects the hierarchical society of Persia, where royal decrees influenced family and cultural practices to maintain stability.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.