Esther 1:13 - 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;

Generated Verse: Esther 1:13

What does "Esther 1:13" mean?


Let's break down Esther 1:13:

"Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times..." This establishes that King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes I) is seeking advice from a specific group of people. These aren't just any wise men; they are described as those "who knew the times."
"Knew the times" likely refers to their understanding of:
Customs and traditions: They understood the proper protocols and traditions of the Persian court and the empire.
Political climate: They were aware of the current political situation, both within the kingdom and in relation to other nations.
Astrology/omens (possible, but less likely in this context): While ancient cultures often consulted astrologers, the verse connects them more directly to law and judgment.

"...(for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgment..." This explains why the king is consulting this particular group. It was his regular practice to seek counsel from advisors knowledgeable in:
Law: Understanding the laws and legal precedents of the Persian empire.
Judgment: The ability to make wise and fair decisions, applying the law correctly.

In summary, the verse tells us:

King Ahasuerus routinely sought advice from a specific group of wise men.
These wise men were valued for their understanding of Persian customs, traditions, the political situation, law, and their ability to make sound judgments.
The parenthesis emphasizes that this was the king's established way of governing.

The verse sets the stage for the following verses, where the king presents a problem (Queen Vashti's disobedience) and seeks their legal and traditional perspective on how to handle it. It highlights the importance of advisors and the role of law and custom in the king's decision-making process.

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