Esther 1:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →After the long display, the king hosts a seven-day feast for everyone in Shushan, great and small alike.
What Does Esther 1:5 Mean?
Having impressed the powerful, the king now opens a feast to the whole city, from the highest official to the lowliest servant. The garden court becomes a vast banqueting ground. It is generosity on a royal scale, and it is also theater, meant to bind every level of society to the king's pleasure.
The phrase both unto great and small reminds us that this empire holds the small as well as the great. Among the small, unnamed here, are the exiles of Judah. The king feasts the city without knowing that the fate of one people gathered at his table will one day shake his whole reign.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esther 1:5
What does Esther 1:5 mean?
After the long display, the king hosts a seven-day feast for everyone in Shushan, great and small alike.