Memucan is a figure mentioned in the Book of Esther, which is part of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. He is one of the seven princes of Persia and Media who served under King Ahasuerus, commonly identified with Xerxes I, who reigned from 486 to 465 BC. Memucan's role is primarily advisory, and he is noted for his involvement in a pivotal moment in the narrative of Esther.

Biblical Account

Memucan appears in Esther 1:10-22. During a lavish banquet hosted by King Ahasuerus, Queen Vashti refuses the king's command to appear before him and his guests to display her beauty. This refusal leads to a crisis in the royal court, as it challenges the authority of the king and sets a precedent for other women in the kingdom to disobey their husbands.

In response to this situation, King Ahasuerus consults his advisors, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who "had access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom" (Esther 1:14). Memucan is the last of these advisors to be named, but he is the first to speak. His counsel is recorded in Esther 1:16-20:

"Memucan replied in the presence of the king and his princes: 'Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. For the conduct of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to despise their husbands and say, "King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come." This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in much contempt and wrath. If it pleases the king, let a royal decree be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she. Then the king’s edict, which he will issue, will be heard throughout his vast kingdom, so all women will honor their husbands, from the least to the greatest.'"

Memucan's advice is accepted by the king, leading to Vashti's removal as queen and setting the stage for Esther's rise to prominence. The decree issued as a result of Memucan's counsel emphasizes the importance of male authority within the household and aims to prevent any further insubordination by women in the empire.

Historical and Cultural Context

Memucan's advice reflects the patriarchal values of the Persian Empire, where the authority of the king and the male head of the household was paramount. The fear that Vashti's disobedience could inspire similar actions among other women highlights the societal norms and expectations of the time. The irrevocable nature of the laws of Persia and Media, as mentioned in the text, underscores the seriousness with which such decrees were regarded.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, Memucan's role in the account of Esther illustrates the providential hand of God in the affairs of nations and individuals. Although Memucan's advice is driven by political and social concerns, it inadvertently sets the stage for Esther, a Jewish woman, to become queen and ultimately save her people from destruction. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and His ability to use even the decisions of pagan rulers to fulfill His purposes.

Name and Meaning

The name "Memucan" is of uncertain origin and meaning. Some scholars suggest it may be derived from a Persian word meaning "dignified" or "worthy," which would be fitting for a high-ranking official in the Persian court. However, the exact etymology remains speculative.

In summary, Memucan is a minor yet significant character in the Book of Esther, whose counsel to King Ahasuerus leads to a series of events that are central to the narrative and theological themes of the book.Memucan

impoverished; to prepare; certain; true

Memucan

(dignified), one of the seven princes of Persia in the reign of Ahasuerus, who "saw the king's face," and sat first in the kingdom. (Esther 1:14,16,21)

Dignified, one of the royal counsellors at the court of Ahasuerus, by whose suggestion Vashti was divorced (Esther 1:14, 16, 21). MEMUCAN

me-mu'-kan (memukhan; derivation unknown but probably of Persian origin (Esther 1:14, 16, 21)): One of "the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom." Ahasuerus consults these men, as those "that knew law and judgment," as to the proper treatment of the rebellious Vashti. Memucan is the spokesman of the reply. He recommends Vashti's deposition so that "all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small." This advice is adopted and incorporated into a royal decree-with what success is not said.

4462. Memukan -- a prince of Persia and Media
... Memukan or Momukan. 4463 . a prince of Persia and Media. Transliteration: Memukan
or Momukan Phonetic Spelling: (mem-oo-kawn') Short Definition: Memucan. ... Memucan ...
/hebrew/4462.htm - 6k

Queen Esther's Love for Her People
... In his anger the king said to the wise men, "According to law what shall we do to
Queen Vashti?" Memucan, one of the seven high officials, said before the king ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/queen esthers love for her.htm

Esther, the Queen.
... This pleased the king, and he did as Memucan, the prince, had advised, and he sent
letters into all parts of his empire to people of various languages, that ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxiv esther the queen.htm

Concerning Esther and Mordecai and Haman; and How in the Reign of ...
... So one of them, whose name was Memucan, said that this affront was offered not to
him alone, but to all the Persians, who were in danger of leading their lives ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning esther and.htm

Memucan (3 Occurrences)
... 16, 21). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MEMUCAN. me-mu'-kan ... the rebellious
Vashti. Memucan is the spokesman of the reply. He recommends ...
/m/memucan.htm - 8k

Memu'can (3 Occurrences)
Memu'can. Memucan, Memu'can. Me'my . ... Esther 1:21 And the word pleased the king
and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan; (See RSV) ...
/m/memu'can.htm - 7k

Nobles (71 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:14 and the next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres,
Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the ...
/n/nobles.htm - 33k

Memphis (8 Occurrences)

/m/memphis.htm - 14k

Xerxes (24 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:16 Memucan answered before the king and the princes, "Vashti the queen
has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all ...
/x/xerxes.htm - 14k

Vashti (10 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:16 Memucan answered before the king and the princes, "Vashti the queen
has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all ...
/v/vashti.htm - 12k

Wronged (22 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: 'Vashti the queen
hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to ...
/w/wronged.htm - 13k

Tarshish (24 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:14 and the next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres,
Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the ...
/t/tarshish.htm - 17k

Marse'na (1 Occurrence)
... Esther 1:14 and the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres,
Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the ...
/m/marse'na.htm - 6k

Meres (1 Occurrence)
... Esther 1:14 and the next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres,
Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the ...
/m/meres.htm - 6k

Why did Queen Vashti refuse to appear before Xerxes? | GotQuestions.org

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