Definition: For [this] deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Esther 1:17. It’s a really important and dramatic passage that sets up a huge conflict! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse says: "Because of this particular act of Vashti the Queen, people will be very angry with her husband, King Ahasuerus.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “For this deed of the queen…” : This refers to something very significant – probably a transgression or a mistake Vashti made. “…shall come abroad unto all women…” : Vashti is going to publicly appear in front of everyone . It’s not just a private moment; she's going to be seen by many people. “…so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes…” : This is the core of the message. It means people will start to view her husband – King Ahasuerus – with disgust . It’s not just a little annoyance; it's a strong, negative feeling. They’ll think he’s wrong or that his behavior is unacceptable. “…when it shall be reported…” : This tells us this isn’t a secret thing. The news of Vashti's actions will spread. “The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.” : This is the key part . King Ahasuerus ordered her to come forward. But she didn’t actually appear. This shows a deliberate refusal to face consequences or acknowledge her mistake. What's the bigger picture? This story highlights several important themes: The Importance of Respect: Vashti’s actions were disrespectful and challenged the authority of the king. Consequences for Leaders: The king wasn’t pleased with her behavior, and he took action to address it – which led to this dramatic scene. Moral Responsibility: The verse suggests that leaders must be mindful of their actions and their impact on others. It shows a need for accountability. In short, this verse is about a moment of rebellion and the resulting consequences – a significant shift in how people view a king’s authority. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse further? Connect it to other stories or themes in the Bible?