What Does Esther 1:21 Mean in the King James?

And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

Esther 1:21 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The same Hebrew word names both the saying that pleases the court and the word the king turns into action.

THE MEANING

A word received as good can take shape in what is done; speech does not remain separate from action. The verse lets the reader see counsel pass from approval into the king’s deed.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The belief that words of counsel can be approved and then have no effect is undone here: the accepted word directs the next act.

THE ROOT

דָּבָר

dābār

GROWS FROM

דבר

The verbal root means “speak”; the noun names both a spoken word and a matter or thing.

“saying / word” in this verse is dābār. The Hebrew uses the same word, ⁨דָּבָר⁩ (dābār, word or matter), for the saying that pleases the king and princes and the word Memucan gives. The verse then moves from that word to the king’s action, holding speech and enacted matter together.

ALSO GROWS

dibber: he spoke

דִּבֶּר

This verb from the same root shows the active speech contained in the noun rendered “saying” and “word.”

devarim: words, matters

דְּבָרִים

The plural carries the same root’s range from spoken words to matters or affairs.

THE PATTERN

A word that is received takes visible form in action.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Genesis 1:3 · KJVWhat is spoken is immediately present as an outcome.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Matthew 7:24 · KJVThe saying is received not as sound alone but in the hearer’s doing.

Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Acts 15:22 · KJVThe community finds the proposal good and answers by sending chosen messengers.

THE THREAD

But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Deuteronomy 30:14 · KJV

Both verses join the word to doing: what is spoken or held close becomes something carried into action. Esther shows a king acting according to counsel; Deuteronomy brings the same word-to-action movement close to the reader’s mouth and heart.

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