Memucan

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

One of the seven princes who "saw the king's face and sat first in the kingdom" ( Esther 1:13-14); "wise men who knew the times and law and judgment." Ahasuerus accordingly consulted them, "what shall we do unto Vashti according to law?" Memucan as president of the council owing to his wisdom and age, or else as an obsequious courtier knowing his master's mind, gave his opinion first, that Vashti should be disgraced; and his counsel the king followed.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

MEMUCAN. One of the seven princes of Persia who had access to the royal presence (  Esther 1:14;   Esther 1:16;   Esther 1:21 ).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Memu'can. (Dignified). One of the seven princes of Persia, in the reign of Ahasuerus, who "saw the king's face," and sat first in the kingdom.  Esther 1:14,16,21).

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Esther 1:14 1:16 1:21Marsena

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

One of the seven princes of Persia,  Esther 1:14. The word means impoverished.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

One of the seven princes of Persia.  Esther 1:14,16,21 .

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Esther 1:14,16,21

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Hebrews Memukan', מְמוּכָן , of unknown but prob. Persian origin; Sept. Μουχαῖος , Vulg. Mamuchan ), the last named of the seven satraps or royal counsellors at the court of Xerxes, and the one at whose suggestion Vashti was divorced ( Esther 1:14;  Esther 1:16;  Esther 1:21). BC. 483. "They were wise men who knew the times' (skilled in the planets, according to Aben-Ezra), and appear to have formed a council of state; Josephus says that one of their offices was that of interpreting the laws (Ant. 11:6,1). This may also be inferred from the manner in which the royal question is put to them when assembled in council; ‘ According to law what is to be done with the queen Vashti?' Memucan was either the president of the council on this occasion, or gave his opinion first in consequence of his acknowledged wisdom, or from the respect allowed to his advanced age. Whatever may have been the cause of this priority, his sentence for Vashti's disgrace was approved by the king and princes, and at once put into execution. The Targum of Esther identifies him with ‘ Haman, the grandson of Agag.' ‘ The reading of the Kethib, or written text, in  Esther 1:16, is מומכן ."

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

mḗ - mū´kan ( ממוּכן , memūkhān  ; derivation unknown but probably of Persian origin (  Esther 1:14 ,  Esther 1:16 ,  Esther 1:21 )): One of "the seven 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.