Restored English Translation of Esther: Chapter 3

Today I present my Restored English Translation (RET) of Ester (Esther) chapter 3.  What I call “chapter 3”, you’ll probably know as “chapter 1”; that’s because several chapters of the original Book of Esther have been removed from most translations and relegated to “The Apocrypha”.  See Restored English Translation of Esther: Chapter 1 and The Canon of Scripture, Part 1: The Apocrypha.
As usual, it contains the Hebrew names, with a glossary of them afterwards.  At the end is a list of where the Aleph-Tavs occur, as they are no longer included in the main text.

CHAPTER 3

1 Now it was in the days of Achashverosh (this is Achashverosh who reigned from Hodu even to Kush, over 127 provinces), 2 that in those days, when the King Achashverosh sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 3 in the 3rd year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the power of Paras and Madai, the nobles and princes of the provinces were before him. 4 When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent greatness many days – 180 days. 5 And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a feast for all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both to great and small, a banquet for 7 days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. 6 White linen, scarlet, violet, held fast with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of white marble. The beds were of gold and silver, on a pavement of white marble, and pearl, and black tile. 7 And they gave to drink in vessels of gold (the vessels being different from one another) and royal wine in abundance by the hand of the king. 8 And the drinking was by the law; none did insist. For so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. 9 Also Vashti the Queen made a banquet for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Achashverosh. 10 On the 7th day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he said to Mehuman, Bizta, Charvona, Bigta, and Avagta, Zetar, and Karkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of the King Achashverosh, 11 to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was good to look on. 12 But the Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command which was by his eunuchs’ hand. And the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him. 13 Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for so was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and judgment; 14 and the next to him was Karshena, Shetar, Admata, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memukan, the seven princes of Paras and Madai, who saw the king’s face, and who sat first in the kingdom), 15 “What will we do to Queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the commandment of the King Achashverosh by the hand of the eunuchs?” 16 And Memukan answered before the king and the princes, “Vashti the Queen has not only done wrong to the King, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Achashverosh. 17 For this word of the Queen will go out to all women, and they will despise their husbands in their eyes, in reporting, ‘The King Achashverosh commanded to bring in Vashti the Queen before him, but she did not come.’ 18 And the noble ladies of Paras and Madai will say this day to all the king’s princes, who have heard of the matter of the Queen. And there will be enough contempt and anger. 19 If it is good to the king, let a royal commandment go from his presence, and let it be written among the laws of Paras and Madai, that it be not altered, that Vashti will not come before King Achashverosh; and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she. 20 And the king’s decree which he will make will be announced throughout all his kingdom (for it is great); and all the wives will give honour to their husbands, both to great and small.” 21 And the saying was good in the eyes of the king and the princes. And the king did according to Memukan’s word. 22 For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing of it, and to every people after their language, that every man should rule in his own house, and that it should be announced according to the language of every people.
Glossary
Achashverosh – Ahasuerus
Hodu – India
Kush – Ethiopia (Cush)
Shushan – Susa
Paras – Persia
Madai – Media
Bizta – Biztha
Charvona – Harbona
Bigta – Bigtha
Avagta – Abagtha
Zetar – Zethar
Karkas – Carcas
Karshena – Carshena
Shethar – Shetar
Admata – Admatha
Memukan – Memucan
Where the Aleph-Tavs occur
Verse 4: When he showed את the riches of his glorious kingdom and את the honour of his excellent greatness many days – 180 days.
Verse 11: to bring את Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, to show the people and the princes את her beauty; for she was good to look on.
Verse 15: “What will we do to Queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done את the commandment of the King Achashverosh by the hand of the eunuchs?”
Verse 17: For this word of the Queen will go out to all women, and they will despise their husbands in their eyes, in reporting, ‘The King Achashverosh commanded to bring in את Vashti the Queen before him, but she did not come.’
Verse 18: And the noble ladies of Paras and Madai will say this day to all the king’s princes, who have heard את of the matter of the Queen. And there will be enough contempt and anger.