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In the first month, the month of Nisan (Mar-Apr), in the [a]twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, Haman cast Pur, that is, the lot, cast before him day after day [to find a lucky day to approach the king], month after month, until the twelfth month, the month of Adar (Feb-Mar). Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered [abroad] and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of all other people, and they do not observe the king’s laws. Therefore it is not in the king’s interest to [tolerate them and] let them stay here. If it pleases the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry out the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.” 10 Then the king removed his signet ring from his hand [that is, the special ring which was used to seal his letters] and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 The king said to Haman, “The silver is given to you, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”

12 Then the king’s scribes (secretaries) were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written just as Haman commanded to the king’s satraps (chief rulers), and to the governors who were over each province and to the officials of each people, each province according to its script (writing), each people according to their own language; being written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces to destroy, to kill and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar (March 7, 473 b.c.), and to seize their belongings as plunder. 14 A copy of the edict to be decreed as law in every province was published to all the peoples, so that they would be ready for this day. 15 The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was issued at the citadel in Susa. And while the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was perplexed [by the unusual and alarming decree].

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 3:7 At this time Esther had been queen about four or five years.

In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, [a]Pur, that is the lot, was (A)cast before Haman from day to day and from month to month, [b]until the twelfth month, that is (B)the month Adar. Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; (C)their laws are different from those of all other people and they do not [c]comply with the king’s laws, so it is not in the king’s interest to let them remain. If it is pleasing to the king, let it be [d]decreed that they be eliminated, and I will pay [e]ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry out the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.” 10 Then (D)the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha (E)the Agagite, (F)the enemy of the Jews. 11 And the king said to Haman, “The silver is [f]yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”

12 (G)Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written just as Haman commanded to (H)the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province and to the officials of each people, each province according to its script, each people according to its language, being written (I)in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 13 Letters were sent by (J)couriers to all the king’s provinces (K)to annihilate, kill, and destroy all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, (L)in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to (M)seize their possessions as plunder. 14 (N)A copy of the edict to be [g]issued as law in every province was published to all the peoples so that they would be ready for this day. 15 The couriers went out, speeded by the king’s [h]order while the decree was [i]issued at the citadel in Susa; and while the king and Haman sat down to drink, (O)the city of Susa was agitated.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 3:7 Lit he cast Pur...before
  2. Esther 3:7 LXX and the lot fell on the thirteenth day of
  3. Esther 3:8 Lit do the
  4. Esther 3:9 Lit written
  5. Esther 3:9 About 375 tons or 340 metric tons
  6. Esther 3:11 Lit given to you
  7. Esther 3:14 Lit given
  8. Esther 3:15 Lit word
  9. Esther 3:15 Lit given