Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

ESTHER 1:6KJV
Know the Bible

Esther 1:6 (KJV)

What does Esther 1:6 mean?

Esther 1:6 describes the lavish decorations at King Ahasuerus’s palace during a great feast, highlighting the luxurious fabrics, precious metals, and colorful marble used to impress the guests. The verse paints a picture of extraordinary wealth and splendor, showing the king’s desire to display his riches and power.

This verse is part of the opening scene in the Book of Esther, where King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes) is hosting a grand banquet for nobles and officials in Susa. The detailed description of the hangings, cords, rings, and marble floors sets the stage for the story by emphasizing the opulence of the Persian court and the king’s authority.

The Hebrew behind Esther 1:6

  • The word for “white” is חוּר (ḥur, H2353), which often refers to a bleached or brilliant white fabric, emphasizing purity and luxury in the palace decorations.
  • “Green” is כַּרְפַּס (karpas, H3768), a term that likely refers to a fine, greenish or possibly linen material, suggesting a rare and costly textile.
  • “Blue” is תְּכֵלֶת (tekelet, H8504), a word used for a deep blue or violet dye made from sea snails, reserved for royalty or sacred use, highlighting the exclusivity of the setting.
  • “Marble” is שֵׁשׁ (shesh, H8336), which can refer to white or variegated marble, indicating the floors and pillars were made of or overlaid with this luxurious stone.

Why Esther 1:6 matters

  • Esther 1:6 helps readers visualize the extraordinary wealth and power of the Persian Empire, making the king’s later decisions and the risks Esther takes more dramatic.
  • The verse’s focus on color and material shows the careful planning and extravagance behind royal events, which sets the tone for the entire book.
  • By describing the setting in such detail, the verse invites readers to see the contrast between the king’s world and the challenges faced by Esther and her people.

Where else these words appear

“white” Hebrew H2353 · used in 2 verses

  • Esther 8:15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

“rings” Hebrew H1550 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:34 And the two doors were of fir tree: the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding.
  • Song of Solomon 5:14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

“pavement” Hebrew H7531 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 7:3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
  • Isaiah 6:6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
  • Ezekiel 40:18 And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement.

“linen” Hebrew H948 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 4:21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,
  • 2 Chronicles 2:14 The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)