Esther 1:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Memucan claims the published decree will restore the honor of husbands across the whole empire.
What Does Esther 1:20 Mean?
The decree is meant to be broadcast through the whole empire, for it is great, so that every wife from the greatest to the smallest will honor her husband. Memucan promises that a single law can engineer respect across millions of homes. It is an astonishing faith in legislation to manufacture the heart's loyalty.
Yet honor commanded by edict is not honor at all. The plan reveals the emptiness at the center of this court: it can decree obedience but cannot create love or trust. The reader senses already that real devotion, the kind Esther and Mordecai will show one another and their people, springs from somewhere no royal decree can reach.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esther 1:20
What does Esther 1:20 mean?
Memucan claims the published decree will restore the honor of husbands across the whole empire.