2060. Vashti
Lexical Summary
Vashti: Vashti

Original Word: וַשְׁתִּי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Feminine
Transliteration: Vashtiy
Pronunciation: VASH-tee
Phonetic Spelling: (vash-tee')
KJV: Vashti
NASB: Vashti
Word Origin: [of Persian origin]

1. Vashti, the queen of Xerxes

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Vashti

Of Persian origin; Vashti, the queen of Xerxes -- Vashti.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
queen of Pers.
NASB Translation
Vashti (10).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
וַשְׁתִּי proper name, feminine (= Persian (Zend) vahista, best, compare JustiHdb. d. Zendsprache, 272) queen of Ahasuerus (Xerxes) king of Persia, Esther 1:9,11,12,15,16,17,19; Esther 2:1,4,17.

Topical Lexicon
Name and Identity

Vashti is introduced in Esther as the principal wife of King Ahasuerus of Persia (commonly identified with Xerxes I). She appears solely in Esther 1–2, yet her actions set the entire narrative of Esther in motion.

Biblical Narrative and Usage

Ten verses name Vashti (Esther 1:9, 1:11, 1:12, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:19, 2:1, 2:4, 2:17). Her account unfolds in three movements:

1. Royal Position: “Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus” (Esther 1:9).
2. Refusal and Dethronement: Summoned to display her beauty before a banquet of officials, she refuses, provoking the king’s wrath and a council that strips her of the crown (Esther 1:12–19).
3. Aftermath: Her deposition opens the way for the search that leads to Esther’s rise (Esther 2:1–4, 17).

Historical and Cultural Context

Persian custom placed high value on royal honor and the irrevocable nature of royal edicts (Esther 1:19). In a setting where decree and protocol shaped the empire’s stability, Vashti’s refusal was perceived as a threat to societal order, especially marital hierarchy (Esther 1:17). The event reflects Near-Eastern court life, where queens wielded influence yet remained subject to the king’s absolute authority.

Character and Controversy

Vashti’s motives are unstated. Some see principled modesty; others view proud insubordination. Scripture preserves her silence, focusing instead on divine providence. Her refusal, whatever its impetus, serves God’s larger purpose of positioning Esther for Israel’s deliverance.

Theological Significance

1. Providence: Human choices—even the defiant ones—advance God’s redemptive plan (compare Genesis 50:20).
2. Irrevocable Decree versus Sovereign Mercy: A Persian law removed Vashti permanently, yet God later used Esther to issue a counter-decree that saved the Jews (Esther 8:8–17), highlighting the Lord’s superiority over human legislation.
3. Reversal Theme: Vashti’s fall and Esther’s rise prefigure the biblical pattern of God exalting the humble and bringing down the proud (Luke 1:52).

Lessons for Leadership and Marriage

• Authority and Accountability: Ahasuerus’s impulsive command cautions leaders against rash decisions under social pressure.
• Marital Respect: The royal couple’s public conflict illustrates how private discord can ripple into national crisis, encouraging Christ-honoring harmony in marriage (Ephesians 5:33).
• Influence of Counsel: The king followed advisors whose advice prioritized public image over justice, reminding believers to seek godly counsel (Proverbs 15:22).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Women’s Gatherings: Vashti hosting a women’s banquet (Esther 1:9) affirms the place of gender-specific ministry settings when conducted with purity and purpose.
• Youth Education: Her account opens dialogue on courage, consequences, and God’s sovereignty for students navigating peer pressure.
• Preaching Perspective: Vashti serves as a springboard to contrast worldly power with divine providence, preparing congregants to trace God’s invisible hand in everyday events.

Relation to the Larger Canon

Esther’s drama echoes earlier accounts where a deposed queen makes way for covenant advancement, reminiscent of Pharaoh’s daughter rescuing Moses (Exodus 2:5–10). It anticipates the Church’s call to replace an unfaithful bride motif with a faithful one, culminating in the “bride of Christ” (Revelation 19:7–8).

Legacy in Jewish and Christian Tradition

In Jewish midrash Vashti is sometimes portrayed negatively, emphasizing Israel’s triumph over oppressive power. Christian commentators from Augustine to modern expositors view her chiefly as a foil to Esther, magnifying God’s orchestration. Contemporary applications often highlight women’s dignity and moral courage.

Key References

Esther 1:9; Esther 1:11–19; Esther 2:1–4; Esther 2:17.

Forms and Transliterations
וַשְׁתִּ֑י וַשְׁתִּ֗י וַשְׁתִּ֣י וַשְׁתִּ֧י וַשְׁתִּֽי׃ וַשְׁתִּי֙ ושתי ושתי׃ vashTi waš·tî waštî
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Esther 1:9
HEB: גַּ֚ם וַשְׁתִּ֣י הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה עָשְׂתָ֖ה
NAS: Queen Vashti also gave
KJV: Also Vashti the queen made
INT: also Vashti Queen gave

Esther 1:11
HEB: לְ֠הָבִיא אֶת־ וַשְׁתִּ֧י הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה לִפְנֵ֥י
NAS: to bring Queen Vashti before the king
KJV: To bring Vashti the queen before
INT: to bring Vashti Queen before

Esther 1:12
HEB: וַתְּמָאֵ֞ן הַמַּלְכָּ֣ה וַשְׁתִּ֗י לָבוֹא֙ בִּדְבַ֣ר
NAS: But Queen Vashti refused to come
KJV: But the queen Vashti refused to come
INT: refused Queen Vashti to come command

Esther 1:15
HEB: לַּעֲשׂ֔וֹת בַּמַּלְכָּ֖ה וַשְׁתִּ֑י עַ֣ל ׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר
NAS: with Queen Vashti, because
KJV: unto the queen Vashti according to law,
INT: is to be done Queen Vashti and after

Esther 1:16
HEB: לְבַדּ֔וֹ עָוְתָ֖ה וַשְׁתִּ֣י הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה כִּ֤י
NAS: Queen Vashti has wronged
KJV: and the princes, Vashti the queen
INT: only has wronged Vashti Queen for

Esther 1:17
HEB: לְהָבִ֨יא אֶת־ וַשְׁתִּ֧י הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה לְפָנָ֖יו
NAS: Queen Vashti to be brought
KJV: commanded Vashti the queen
INT: commanded to be brought Vashti Queen to his presence

Esther 1:19
HEB: לֹֽא־ תָב֜וֹא וַשְׁתִּ֗י לִפְנֵי֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
NAS: be repealed, that Vashti may no
KJV: that it be not altered, That Vashti come
INT: may no come Vashti the presence of King

Esther 2:1
HEB: זָכַ֤ר אֶת־ וַשְׁתִּי֙ וְאֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־
NAS: he remembered Vashti and what
KJV: he remembered Vashti, and what she had done,
INT: Ahasuerus remembered Vashti and what had done

Esther 2:4
HEB: תִּמְלֹ֖ךְ תַּ֣חַת וַשְׁתִּ֑י וַיִּיטַ֧ב הַדָּבָ֛ר
NAS: in place of Vashti. And the matter
KJV: be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing
INT: be queen place of Vashti be accepted and the matter

Esther 2:17
HEB: וַיַּמְלִיכֶ֖הָ תַּ֥חַת וַשְׁתִּֽי׃
NAS: and made her queen instead of Vashti.
KJV: and made her queen instead of Vashti.
INT: and made instead of Vashti

10 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2060
10 Occurrences


waš·tî — 10 Occ.

2059
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