Teks -- Esther 1:19 (NET)

1:19 If the king is so inclined, let a royal edict go forth from him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media that cannot be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king convey her royalty to another who is more deserving than she.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

JFB: Est 1:13-19 - Then the king said to the wise men

These were probably the magi, without whose advice as to the proper time of doing a thing the Persian kings never did take any step whatever; and the persons named in Est 1:14 were the "seven counsellors" (compare Ezr 7:14) who formed the state ministry. The combined wisdom of all, it seems, was enlisted to consult with the king what course should be taken after so unprecedented an occurrence as Vashti's disobedience of the royal summons. It is scarcely possible for us to imagine the astonishment produced by such a refusal in a country and a court where the will of the sovereign was absolute. The assembled grandees were petrified with horror at the daring affront. Alarm for the consequences that might ensue to each of them in his own household next seized on their minds; and the sounds of bacchanalian revelry were hushed into deep and anxious consultation what punishment to inflict on the refractory queen. But a purpose was to be served by the flattery of the king and the enslavement of all women. The counsellors were too intoxicated or obsequious to oppose the courtly advice of Memucan was unanimously resolved, with a wise regard to the public interests of the nation, that the punishment of Vashti could be nothing short of degradation from her royal dignity. The doom was accordingly pronounced and made known in all parts of the empire.

Clarke: Est 1:19 - That it be not altered

That it be not altered - Let it be inserted among the permanent laws, and made a part of the constitution of the empire. Perhaps the Persians affected such a degree of wisdom in the construction of their laws, that they never could be amended, and should never be repeated. And this we may understand to be the ground of the saying, The laws of the Medes and Persians, that change not.

Defender: Est 1:19 - be not altered

The Persians considered their laws to be so perfect - an opinion probably justified in most cases - that once enacted, they could be neither repealed nor revised. Vashti thus lost her position as queen, but was presumably still in the harem (Dan 6:13)."

TSK: Est 1:19 - it please the king // from him // it be not altered // another // that is better

it please the king : Heb. it be good with the king, Est 1:21, Est 3:9, Est 8:5

from him : Heb. from before him

it be not altered : Heb. it pass not away, Est 8:8; Dan 6:8-15, Dan 6:17; Let it be inserted among the permanent laws, and be made a part of the constitution of the empire. The Persians seem to have affected such a degree of wisdom in the construction of their laws, that they never could be amended, and should never be repealed; and this formed the ground of the saying, ""The laws of the Medes and Persians that change not."

another : Heb. her companion

that is better : 1Sa 15:28; 1Ki 3:28

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Est 1:19 - If it please the king // That it be not altered

If it please the king which this cunning politician knew it would do.

That it be not altered which caution was necessary for his own security; for if the queen should recover her state and the king’ s favour, he was most likely to fall into his displeasure.

Haydock: Est 1:19 - Altered

Altered. This regarded the more solemn acts, signed by the counsellors, Daniel vi. 17. (Grotius) ---

Some decrees were neglected or changed, chap. viii. 9., and 1 Esdras iv. 5, 21., and vi. 1. (Calmet)

Gill: Est 1:19 - If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him // and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and 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

If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him,.... Not only a proclamation made, but a law enacted and published by royal authority:

and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and Medes that it be not altered; for so it was, that when a law was made, and signed, and sealed, and registered among the laws of the kingdom, it remained unalterable, Dan 6:8, this precaution Memucan took for his own safety; for had the king acted upon his advice, without passing it into a law in such form, he might change his mind, and recall Vashti, who would not fail of venting her wrath upon the counsellor, and so he be in danger of losing his life for it:

that Vashti come no more before King Ahasuerus; but be entirely divorced, never to be received any more:

and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she; or "to her companions" ^z; that was with her in the house of the women in the seraglio; one that was fairer, as the Targum, or of a better disposition than her; let her be made queen, and enjoy all the honour, and dignity, and marks of royalty Vashti did; her throne, her crown, and royal apparel, as it is interpreted in an ancient Jewish writing ^a.