Esther 1:20

20 Et hoc in omne (quod latissimum est) provinciarum tuarum divulgetur imperium, et cunctae uxores tam maiorum, quam minorum deferant maritis suis honorem.

Esther 1:20 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 1:20

And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be
published throughout all his empire
As it was proper it should, since the report of the queen's deed would be made everywhere: for it is great;
the empire consisting of one hundred and twenty seven provinces, ( Esther 1:1 ) , Aben Ezra and Abendana interpret it, "though" it is great, yet the decree should be published throughout; the latter observes, that this may respect the king's decree; and so the Targum is,

``for his decree is great;''

it respecting a matter of great importance, and relating to a great personage, and would have great effect on the minds of persons, when it was observed that one so great was treated in this manner: and therefore all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and
small;
speaking respectfully to them, yielding a ready and cheerful obedience to all their commands; which would be done to princes and peasants, to high and low, to every rank of men.

Esther 1:20 In-Context

18 Atque hoc exemplo omnes principum coniuges Persarum atque Medorum, parvipendent imperia maritorum: unde regis iusta indignatio.

19 Si tibi placet, egrediatur edictum a facie tua, et scribatur iuxta legem Persarum atque Medorum, quam praeteriri illicitum est, ut nequaquam ultra Vasthi ingrediatur ad regem, sed regnum illius, altera, quae melior illa, accipiat.

20 Et hoc in omne (quod latissimum est) provinciarum tuarum divulgetur imperium, et cunctae uxores tam maiorum, quam minorum deferant maritis suis honorem.

21 placuit consilium eius regi, et principibus: fecitque rex iuxta consilium Mamuchan,

22 et misit epistolas ad universas provincias regni sui, ut quaeque gens audire et legere poterat, diversis linguis et litteris, esse viros principes ac maiores in domibus suis: et hoc per cunctos populos divulgari.