Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished. New Living Translation By edict of the king, no limits were placed on the drinking, for the king had instructed all his palace officials to serve each man as much as he wanted. English Standard Version And drinking was according to this edict: “There is no compulsion.” For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired. Berean Standard Bible By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired. King James Bible And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. New King James Version In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure. New American Standard Bible But the drinking was done according to the royal law; there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household, that he was to do as each person pleased. NASB 1995 The drinking was done according to the law, there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household that he should do according to the desires of each person. NASB 1977 And the drinking was done according to the law, there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household that he should do according to the desires of each person. Legacy Standard Bible And the drinking was done according to the law; there was no compulsion, for so the king had established it for each official of his household—that he should do according to what pleased each person. Amplified Bible The drinking was carried on in accordance with the law; no one was compelled [to drink], for the king had directed each official of his household to comply with each guest’s wishes. Christian Standard Bible The drinking was according to royal decree: “There are no restrictions.” The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve whatever each person wanted. Holman Christian Standard Bible and no restraint was placed on the drinking. The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve as much as each person wanted. American Standard Version And the drinking was according to the law; none could compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. Contemporary English Version and said to them, "Drink all you want!" Then he told his servants, "Keep their cups full." English Revised Version And the drinking was according to the law; none could compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. GOD'S WORD® Translation The drinking followed this rule: Drink as you please. (The king had ordered all the waiters in his palace to let everyone do as he pleased.) Good News Translation There were no limits on the drinks; the king had given orders to the palace servants that everyone could have as much as they wanted. International Standard Version According to the king's decree the drinking was not compulsory because the king instructed every steward in his house to serve each individual what he desired. Majority Standard Bible By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired. NET Bible There were no restrictions on the drinking, for the king had instructed all of his supervisors that they should do as everyone so desired. New Heart English Bible In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. Webster's Bible Translation And the drinking was according to the law; none constrained: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. World English Bible In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the drinking [is] according to law, none is pressing, for so the king has appointed for every chief one of his house, to do according to the pleasure of man and man. Young's Literal Translation And the drinking is according to law, none is pressing, for so hath the king appointed for every chief one of his house, to do according to the pleasure of man and man. Smith's Literal Translation Giving to drink according to the edict; none compelling, for thus the king appointed to all the multitude of his house to do according to the desire of man and man. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNeither was there any one to compel them to drink that were not willing, but as the king had appointed, who set over every table one of his nobles, that every man might take what he would. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible By ordinance of the king the drinking was unstinted, for he had instructed all the stewards of his household to comply with the good pleasure of everyone. New Revised Standard Version Drinking was by flagons, without restraint; for the king had given orders to all the officials of his palace to do as each one desired. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the drinking was according to the law; none did compel; for so the king had commanded to all the stewards of his household, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the drinking was by the law and there was none who compelled, because thus the King commanded all the Great ones in his house, that they would do the pleasure of every person. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel; for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. Brenton Septuagint Translation And this banquet was not according to the appointed law; but so the king would have it: and he charged the stewards to perform his will and that of the company. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Xerxes' Royal Feast…7Beverages were served in an array of goblets of gold, each with a different design, and the royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty. 8By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired. Cross References Daniel 5:1-4 Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. / Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. / Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. ... Proverbs 31:4-5 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, / lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness. Isaiah 5:11-12 Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine. / At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands. 1 Peter 4:3 For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. Romans 13:13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. 1 Timothy 5:23 Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments. Luke 21:34 But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. Matthew 24:49 And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. Genesis 9:20-21 Now Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. / But when he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and uncovered himself inside his tent. Leviticus 10:9 “You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come. Treasury of Scripture And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. none did compel. Jeremiah 35:8 Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters; Jeremiah 51:7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. Habakkuk 2:15,16 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! … the officers. John 2:8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. Jump to Previous Accordance Allowed Appointed Chief Command Commandment Compel Compelled Compulsion Constrained Constraint Desired Desires Drink Drinking Forced Guest House Household Instructed Keeping King's Law Magnates Officers Official Officials Orders Palace Pleasing Pleasure Pressing Servants Serve Stewards Way Wine WishedJump to Next Accordance Allowed Appointed Chief Command Commandment Compel Compelled Compulsion Constrained Constraint Desired Desires Drink Drinking Forced Guest House Household Instructed Keeping King's Law Magnates Officers Official Officials Orders Palace Pleasing Pleasure Pressing Servants Serve Stewards Way Wine WishedEsther 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. By order of the king This phrase highlights the absolute authority of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), who ruled over the Persian Empire. His decrees were law, reflecting the centralized power typical of ancient Near Eastern monarchies. This authority is reminiscent of the absolute rule seen in other biblical kings, such as Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3:4-6. no limit was placed on the drinking and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired Persons / Places / Events 1. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I)The Persian king who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush. He is hosting a grand banquet for all his officials and servants. 2. Susa (Shushan) The capital city of the Persian Empire where the events of the Book of Esther take place. It is the setting for the king's lavish banquet. 3. The Banquet A significant event hosted by King Ahasuerus, lasting 180 days, followed by a seven-day feast for all people present in the citadel of Susa. 4. The Law of Drinking A unique decree during the banquet where drinking was not compulsory, allowing each guest to drink as much or as little as they desired. 5. Stewards of the Household Servants instructed by the king to serve each guest according to their personal preference, highlighting the king's generosity and the freedom given to the guests. Teaching Points Freedom and ResponsibilityThe freedom given to the guests to drink as they desired reflects a balance between liberty and personal responsibility. As Christians, we are called to exercise our freedoms wisely and in a way that honors God. Generosity and Hospitality King Ahasuerus' instructions to his stewards demonstrate a form of generosity and hospitality. Believers are encouraged to show hospitality and generosity, reflecting God's love to others. Cultural Context and Influence Understanding the cultural context of the Persian Empire helps us see how God's people were called to live distinctively within a foreign culture. Similarly, Christians today are called to live out their faith in diverse cultural settings. Leadership and Influence The king's decree shows his influence over his kingdom. As Christians, we are reminded of the influence we have in our spheres and the importance of leading by example.(8) Law.--Rather ordinance or decree, that is, specially put forth for this occasion. What this means is shown by what follows, namely, that the king had issued special orders to allow all to do as they pleased in the matter of drinking, instead of as usual compelling them to drink. This degrading habit is the more noticeable because the Persians were at first a nation of exceptionally temperate habits.Verse 8. - The drinking was according to the law. Rather, "according to edict" - the edict being the express order given by the king to all the officers of his household. It is implied that the usual custom was different - that the foolish practice prevailed of compelling men to drink. That the Persians were hard drinkers, and frequently drank to excess, is stated by Herodotus (1:133) and Xenophon ('Cyrop.,' 8:8, § 11). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Byכַדָּ֖ת (ḵad·dāṯ) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1881: A royal edict, statute order יִסַּ֣ד (yis·saḏ) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3245: To set, to found, to sit down together, settle, consult of the king, הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king no אֵ֣ין (’ên) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle limit אֹנֵ֑ס (’ō·nês) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 597: To compel, constrain was placed on the drinking, וְהַשְּׁתִיָּ֥ה (wə·haš·šə·ṯî·yāh) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8360: A drinking and every כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every wine steward רַ֣ב (raḇ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7227: Much, many, great was to serve לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6213: To do, make each אִישׁ־ (’îš-) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person man וָאִֽישׁ׃ (wā·’îš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person whatever he desired. כִּרְצ֥וֹן (kir·ṣō·wn) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7522: Goodwill, favor, acceptance, will Links Esther 1:8 NIVEsther 1:8 NLT Esther 1:8 ESV Esther 1:8 NASB Esther 1:8 KJV Esther 1:8 BibleApps.com Esther 1:8 Biblia Paralela Esther 1:8 Chinese Bible Esther 1:8 French Bible Esther 1:8 Catholic Bible OT History: Esther 1:8 In accordance with the law the drinking (Est Esth. 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