Esther 1:13
New International Version
Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times

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

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,

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.

King James Bible
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:

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 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

NASB 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

NASB 1977
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,

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

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—

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.

Holman 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.

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;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the King said to the Wisemen, men who knew the times, because thus was the custom of the King; he would speak before all who knew law and judgment

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to his friends, Thus hast Astin spoken: pronounce therefore upon this case law and judgment.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Baked 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:

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;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now, the king usually asked for advice from all the experts in royal decrees and decisions,

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.

International Standard Version
The king spoke to the wise men who understood the times, for it was the king's custom to consult all those who understood law and justice.

JPS Tanakh 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;

Literal Standard Version
And the king says to wise men, knowing the times—for so [is] the word of the king before all knowing law and judgment,

Majority 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.

New American Bible
He conferred with the sages who understood the times, because the king’s business was conducted in general consultation with lawyers and jurists.

NET Bible
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.

New Revised Standard Version
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,

New Heart English Bible
Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for it was the king's custom to consult those who 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:

World English Bible
Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew 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,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Queen Vashti Deposed
13Then 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. 14His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 12:32
From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command.

Esther 1:12
Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king's command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him.

Jeremiah 10:7
Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.

Daniel 2:2
So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king,


Treasury of Scripture

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:

the wise.

Jeremiah 10:7
Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

Daniel 2:2,12,27
Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king…

Daniel 4:6,7
Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream…

knew.

1 Chronicles 12:32
And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

Matthew 16:3
And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

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Business Conducted Consult Custom Customary Decisions Expert Experts Judgment Justice King's Law Manner Matters Procedure Speak Times Towards Understood Versed Way Wise Word
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Business Conducted Consult Custom Customary Decisions Expert Experts Judgment Justice King's Law Manner Matters Procedure Speak Times Towards Understood Versed Way Wise Word
Esther 1
1. Xerxes makes royal feasts.
10. Vashti, sent for, refuses to come.
13. Xerxes, by the counsel of Memucan, puts away Vashti, and decrees men's sovereignty.














(13) Which knew the times.--That is, who were skilled in precedents, and could advise accordingly.

For so. . . .--Translate, for so was the king's business laid, before . . .

Verse 13. - Then the king said to the wise men. Angry as he was, Ahasuerus had still some power of self-restraint. He was in the presence of his whole court, and of a great assembly of the people. It would not be seemly that he should vent his passion in violent words, imprecations, or threats. His dignity required that he should at any rate seem calm, and, instead of issuing any hasty order, should proceed deliberately to consider what were the next steps to be taken. Xerxes appears to have been rather fond of asking advice (Herod., 7:8, 48, 234; 8:101); and he now, in a sufficiently dignified way, required the opinion of his "wise men" on the practical question, What was to be done to Vashti? (see ver. 15). Which knew the times. i.e. persons who were well acquainted with past times, and knew what it was customary to do on each occasion. For so was the king's manner toward all that ]mew law and judgment. Rather, "For so was the business of the king brought before such as knew law and judgment." Each matter which concerned the king was submitted to learned persons for their opinion before any actual step was taken (compare Herod., 3:31, where Cambyses asks the opinion of the royal judges with respect to his proposed marriage with his sister). It is not a special practice of Ahasuerus, but a general usage of the Persian monarchy, which m noticed.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

consulted
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the wise men
לַחֲכָמִ֖ים (la·ḥă·ḵā·mîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2450: Wise

who knew
יֹדְעֵ֣י (yō·ḏə·‘ê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3045: To know

the times,
הָֽעִתִּ֑ים (hā·‘it·tîm)
Article | Noun - common plural
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

for it was
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

customary
כֵן֙ (ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

for him
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

to confer
דְּבַ֣ר (də·ḇar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

with
לִפְנֵ֕י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the experts
יֹדְעֵ֖י (yō·ḏə·‘ê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3045: To know

in law
דָּ֥ת (dāṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1881: A royal edict, statute

and justice.
וָדִֽין׃ (wā·ḏîn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1779: Judgement, strife


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OT History: Esther 1:13 Then the king said to the wise (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 1:12
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