Memucan מְמוּכָן
One of the seven princes of Persia and Media.
Who is Memucan in the Bible?
Memucan was one of the seven princes of Persia and Media who served as a chief advisor to King Ahasuerus in the book of Esther (Esther 1:14). When Queen Vashti refused to appear before the king during a royal banquet, Memucan spoke on behalf of the royal advisors and recommended that the king depose her (Esther 1:16). He argued that Vashti's refusal to obey the king would encourage other women in the kingdom to disrespect their husbands, and he urged the king to issue a decree removing Vashti from her position and selecting a new queen as an example to all women (Esther 1:16, 1:21). The king accepted Memucan's counsel and carried out the deposition, making Memucan's advice a pivotal moment that set the stage for Esther's rise to the throne and the subsequent events of the book.
Biography
Memucan was one of the seven princes of Persia and Media who served as advisors to King Ahasuerus (Est.1.14). When Queen Vashti refused to appear before the king and his guests during a royal feast, Memucan was the one who advised the king on how to handle the situation (Est.1.16). He suggested that Vashti's behavior could set a precedent for other women in the kingdom to disrespect their husbands. Memucan proposed that the king issue a decree deposing Vashti and selecting a new queen, to serve as an example to all women to honor their husbands (Est.1.16,21). The king followed Memucan's advice, and Vashti was removed from her position as queen (Est.1.21).
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEsther 3 verses
- Esther 1:14
"His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom."
Study Esther → - Esther 1:16
"And in the presence of the king and his princes, Memucan replied, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King Xerxes."
Study Esther → - Esther 1:21
"The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so the king did as Memucan advised."
Study Esther →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מְמוּכָן |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) Memucan
n princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom." Ahasuerus consults these men, as those "that knew law and judgment," as to the proper treatment of the rebellious Vashti. Memucan is the spokesman of the reply. He recommends Vashti's deposition so that "all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small." This advice is adopted and incorporated into a royal decree--with what success is not said.
men'-a-hem (menachem, "one who comforts"; Manaem; 2Ki 15:14-22):
1Accession and Reign
Son of Gadi and 16th king of Israel. He reigned 10 years. Menahem w