Bible Strands
Esther 1:10
On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he ordered the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas—
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — King Xerxes, intoxicated on the seventh day of a feast, commands seven named eunuchs to prepare for his next directive. This occurs immediately after Queen Vashti concludes her separate banquet for the women in the royal palace.
The words — The text highlights כְּ/ט֥וֹב (ke./Tov), meaning "when was good," paired with לֵב\־ (lev-), meaning "[the] heart of." These terms describe the physiological condition that precedes the king's order.
The thread — The pattern of a ruler issuing commands while his heart is merry with wine recurs in Judges 16:25 and 2 Samuel 13:28. The eunuch Harbona, named here, later appears in Esther 7:9 to counsel the king during a political crisis.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to observe how alcohol lowers royal restraint and enables the objectification of others. It asks for a clear-eyed assessment of how power operates when judgment is chemically compromised.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
Cross-references
- Judges 16:25 And while their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison to entertain them. And they stationed him between the pillars.
- Esther 7:9 Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said: “There is a gallows fifty cubits high at Haman’s house. He had it built for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king.” “Hang him on it!” declared the king.
- 2 Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom had ordered his young men, “Watch Amnon until his heart is merry with wine, and when I order you to strike Amnon down, you are to kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant!”
- Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
- Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to enter a house of mourning than a house of feasting, since death is the end of every man, and the living should take this to heart.
- Genesis 43:34 When the portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph.
- Daniel 1:18 Now at the end of the time specified by the king, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.
- Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
- 1 Samuel 25:36 When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light.
- Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.