The Prince of the Seven
Carshena is named in the Book of Esther as one of the seven highest-ranking Princes of Persia and Media who had direct, privileged access to the vast empire’s throne. Like his contemporary, Carcas, his existence documents the immense power and political structure of the empire that held God’s people in captivity, yet ultimately served God’s sovereign plan.
The Seven Counselors to the King
Carshena appears in the Book of Esther at the beginning of the narrative, identified as one of the seven men who saw the king’s face and were the first in the kingdom:
“And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom.)” (Esther 1:14, KJV)
These seven princes were more than just officials; they were the King’s cabinet, privy council, and legal interpreters. Their role was critical because the laws of the Medes and Persians were considered unchangeable. Therefore, the interpretation and recommendation of these seven men carried enormous weight.
Carshena and the Law of the Empire
Carshena and the other princes were called upon when King Ahasuerus was enraged by the disobedience of Queen Vashti. The question before them was not just what to do with Vashti, but how to set a legal precedent for the entire empire.
The counsel given by the princes, specifically articulated by Memucan, led to the famous decree establishing male authority in every household—a decree based on “the law of the Medes and Persians.” Carshena, by his very presence and consent, was instrumental in establishing this vast imperial law:
- Establishing the Crisis: By advising on the law regarding Vashti, the princes unknowingly created the vacancy in the queen’s position.
- Paving the Way for Esther: This legal vacancy was the providential opening for Esther, a Jewess, to be elevated to the throne, placing God’s people in a position of authority just before the genocidal plot of Haman was enacted.
The Prophetic Role of the Persian Court
The repeated mention of the seven princes and seven chamberlains (like Carcas and Carshena) in the opening chapter of Esther highlights the detailed accuracy of Scripture and provides a political map of the greatest world power of that era.
In the context of your work, the existence of men like Carshena illustrates the following principles:
- Human Authority is Limited: Despite their supreme rank as “the first in the kingdom,” these men were ultimately pawns in a much grander drama controlled by the Almighty God. Their own legal decisions (like the law of the Medes and Persians) could not thwart the divine plan to preserve the seed of Abraham.
- The Control of the World System: The vast empire, symbolized by its rigid legal structure overseen by men like Carshena, represents a world system that appears unshakeable. Yet, God demonstrates that He is sovereignly working within that system—using its own laws, customs, and officials—to protect His people and secure the lineage of the Lord’s Return.
Carshena is a powerful reminder that every ruler, every prince, and every law of the world stands under the ultimate, unseen authority of the King of Kings.