Bible Strands
Esther 1:13
Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The king addresses his court immediately after Queen Vashti refuses his command, pausing his anger to seek a legal response. He summons his advisors at this moment to determine the proper procedure for handling her defiance.
The words — The phrase יֹדְעֵי הָ/עִתִּים (yo.de.'Ei ha./'i.Tim) literally renders "those who knew the times." This designation identifies the officials whose function was to interpret precedent and advise on the appropriate course of action.
The thread — The motif of discerning the times appears in 1 Chronicles 12:32 regarding the tribe of Issachar, and the category of foreign wise men is noted in Jeremiah 10:7. These passages track the biblical pattern of rulers relying on specialized knowledge for governance.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader to see that political authority operates through established procedure rather than impulsive decree. It asks the reader to note how institutional consultation functions as a check on royal anger.
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
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 12:32 From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command.
- Jeremiah 10:7 Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.
- Daniel 2:2 So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king,
- Daniel 2:12 This response made the king so angry and furious that he gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
- Daniel 5:7 The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
- Matthew 16:3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times.
- Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,
- Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires.
- Daniel 4:6 So I issued a decree that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me.