Esther 9:1-17
Evangelical Heritage Version
9 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (Adar), the day which the king’s proclamation had specified for his decree to be carried out, the day on which the enemies of the Jews hoped to obtain power over them, the situation was reversed so that the Jews would gain power over those who hated them.
2 The Jews gathered in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes, to strike against those seeking to hurt them. No one opposed them because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon all the people. 3 All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the people who did the work of the king were helping the Jews because the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them, 4 because he was important in the king’s house. His reputation was spreading in all the provinces because this man Mordecai was becoming more and more influential.
5 The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, slaughtering and destroying them. They did whatever they pleased against their enemies.
6 In Susa, the citadel, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, 7 including Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha. 10 They killed the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, who had been persecuting the Jews, but they did not seize any plunder.
11 On that day the number of those killed in Susa, the citadel, was reported to the king. 12 The king said to Queen Esther, “In Susa, the citadel, the Jews have killed five hundred men, including the ten sons of Haman. What have they done in the rest of the provinces of the king? What is your request? It will be granted. What you are still seeking will be done.”
13 Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let permission be given to the Jews who are in Susa to carry out today’s order also tomorrow and that the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows.”
14 The king said that this would be done. The command was given in Susa. The ten sons of Haman were hanged.
15 The Jews in Susa gathered again on the fourteenth day of Adar. In Susa they killed three hundred men, but they did not seize any plunder.
16 The rest of the Jews who were in the provinces of the king also gathered and defended themselves, getting relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them, but they did not seize any plunder. 17 This happened on the thirteenth day of Adar. They rested on the fourteenth and had a day of feasting[a] and joyful celebration.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Esther 9:17 The word translated feasting emphasizes drinking more than eating.
Esther 9:1-17
Lexham English Bible
The Jews Destroy Their Enemies
9 In the twelfth month, that is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, on which the edict of the king arrived and his law was enacted, on the day in which the enemies of the Jews had hoped to gain power over them but was overturned, and the Jews gained power against their enemies, 2 the Jews gathered in their cities in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to strike against[a] those who sought their destruction, and no one could withstand them,[b] as the fear of them fell on all the people. 3 All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, governors, and those who did the work of the king[c] were supporting the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. 4 For Mordecai was high-ranking in the king’s palace[d] and his fame spread throughout all the provinces as Mordecai grew more and more powerful.[e] 5 The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword,[f] killing and destroying them; and they did as they pleased with those that hated them. 6 And in the citadel of Susa the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, 7 and Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Portha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews; but they did not touch[g] the plunder.
11 On that day the number of those being killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to[h] the king. 12 And the king said to Queen Esther, “In the citadel of Susa the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? What is your petition? It will be granted to you. And what further is your request? It will be done.” 13 Esther replied, “If it is good to the king, let tomorrow also be granted to the Jews who are in Susa to do according to the edict of today; and let them hang Haman’s ten sons on the gallows.” 14 And the king said to do so. And a decree was issued in Susa and Haman’s ten sons were hanged. 15 And the Jews were gathered who were in Susa, and on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and they killed in Susa three hundred men, but they did not touch[i] the plunder.
16 The rest of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces gathered and defended their lives[j] and found repose[k] from their enemies. And they killed seventy-five thousand of those that hated them, but they did not touch[l] the plunder. 17 This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. They rested on the fourteenth day and made it a day of feasting and joy.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Esther 9:2 Literally “to send a hand against”
- Esther 9:2 Or “stand in their presence”
- Esther 9:3 Literally “the doers of the work who were for the king”
- Esther 9:4 Literally “house of the king”
- Esther 9:4 Literally “the man Mordecai was going and becoming great”
- Esther 9:5 Literally “the striking of the sword”
- Esther 9:10 Literally “send their hand to”
- Esther 9:11 Literally “came before”
- Esther 9:15 Literally “send their hand to”
- Esther 9:16 Literally “to stand for their lives”
- Esther 9:16 Literally “rested”
- Esther 9:16 Literally “send their hand to”
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.
2012 by Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software