Lexical Summary shethiyyah: Drinking, drink Original Word: שְׁתִיָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance drinking Feminine of shthiy; potation -- drinking. see HEBREW shthiy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of shethi Definition a drinking NASB Translation drinking (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׁתִיָּה noun feminine drinking (mode or amount) Esther 1:8. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence The noun שְׁתִיָּה appears a single time in Scripture, within the narrative of Esther 1:8. In the Berean Standard Bible the verse reads, “By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, for the king had instructed every wine steward to serve each man what he wished.” The word summarizes the act of drinking that characterized King Ahasuerus’ royal banquet in Susa. Historical and Cultural Context Esther opens with a six-month display of imperial splendor followed by a seven-day feast (Esther 1:4-5). Persian monarchs were renowned for extravagance, and archaeological finds from Persepolis confirm the wealth reflected in the text—golden vessels, ornate hangings, and vast storerooms of wine. In this milieu שְׁתִיָּה conveys more than a casual beverage; it depicts a public statement of opulence, power, and unrestrained indulgence. The free-flowing drink was meant to magnify the king’s generosity, yet it also set the stage for disorder when Vashti refused the summons (Esther 1:10-12). Thus the single occurrence is pivotal, linking royal excess to a chain of providential events that would eventually safeguard the Jewish people. Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty in Ordinary Events: The banquet’s drinking seems merely social, yet behind the scenes God is orchestrating outcomes that will bring Esther to the throne and preserve the covenant line (Esther 2:17; 4:14). A mundane activity becomes a turning point in redemptive history. Comparative Use of Drinking Terminology in Scripture While שְׁתִיָּה is unique to Esther, Scripture employs several related words: The vocabulary spectrum underscores that drinking is morally neutral; its virtue or vice lies in motive, measure, and setting. Implications for Christian Living and Ministry 1. Moderation: The liberty to partake of God’s good gifts (1 Timothy 4:4-5) must be tempered by self-control (Ephesians 5:18). Esther 1:8 illustrates how the absence of restraint can unravel families and nations. Summary שְׁתִיָּה, though a solitary word in Scripture, illuminates principles that reverberate across the canon: God’s sovereignty over secular powers, the perils of excess, and the call to wise stewardship of His gifts. In the sweep of redemptive history, even a cup raised in a pagan court becomes an instrument in the hand of the Lord. Forms and Transliterations וְהַשְּׁתִיָּ֥ה והשתיה vehashshetiYah wə·haš·šə·ṯî·yāh wəhaššəṯîyāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Esther 1:8 HEB: וְהַשְּׁתִיָּ֥ה כַדָּ֖ת אֵ֣ין NAS: The drinking was [done] according to the law, KJV: And the drinking [was] according to the law; INT: the drinking to the law there 1 Occurrence |
    |