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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Esther 8:11 By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to plunder their possessions.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/esther/8-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/17_Est_08_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Esther 8:11 - The Decree of Xerxes" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to plunder their possessions." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/esther/8-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/esther/8-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/esther/">Esther</a> > <a href="/esther/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/esther/8-10.htm" title="Esther 8:10">◄</a> Esther 8:11 <a href="/esther/8-12.htm" title="Esther 8:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/esther/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/esther/8.htm">New International Version</a> The king&#8217s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. <a href="/nlt/esther/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies. <a href="/esv/esther/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> saying that the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods, <a href="/bsb/esther/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to plunder their possessions. <a href="/kjv/esther/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, <a href="/nkjv/esther/8.htm">New King James Version</a> By these letters the king permitted the Jews who were in every city to gather together and protect their lives—to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them, both little children and women, and to plunder their possessions, <a href="/nasb_/esther/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> In the letters the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right to assemble and to defend their lives, to destroy, kill, and eliminate the entire army of any people or province which was going to attack them, including children and women, and to plunder their spoils, <a href="/nasb/esther/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> In them the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right to assemble and to defend their lives, to destroy, to kill and to annihilate the entire army of any people or province which might attack them, including children and women, and to plunder their spoil, <a href="/nasb77/esther/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> In them the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right to assemble and to defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate the entire army of any people or province which might attack them, including children and women, and to plunder their spoil, <a href="/lsb/esther/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> In them the king gave the Jews who were in each and every city the right to assemble and to make a stand for their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish the entire military force of any people or province which would act as their adversaries, including little ones and women, and to plunder their spoil, <a href="/amp/esther/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> In it the king granted the Jews who were in every city the right to assemble and to defend their lives; to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force that might attack them, their little children, and women; and to take the enemies’ goods as plunder, <a href="/csb/esther/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The king’s edict gave the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every ethnic and provincial army hostile to them, including women and children, and to take their possessions as spoils of war. <a href="/hcsb/esther/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The king&#8217s edict gave the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every ethnic and provincial army hostile to them, including women and children, and to take their possessions as spoils of war. <a href="/asv/esther/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> wherein the king granted the Jews that were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, <a href="/erv/esther/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, <a href="/gwt/esther/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> that the king had given permission for the Jews in every city to assemble, to defend themselves, to wipe out, to kill, and to destroy every armed force of the people and province that is hostile to them, even women and children, and to seize their goods. <a href="/gnt/esther/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> These letters explained that the king would allow the Jews in every city to organize for self-defense. If armed men of any nationality in any province attacked the Jewish men, their children, or their women, the Jews could fight back and destroy the attackers; they could slaughter them to the last man and take their possessions. <a href="/isv/esther/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> What the king granted the Jewish people in every town was the right to assemble and defend themselves, to annihilate, kill, and destroy every armed force of a people or a province that was hostile to them, including children and women, and to plunder their property. <a href="/msb/esther/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to plunder their possessions. <a href="/net/esther/8.htm">NET Bible</a> The king thereby allowed the Jews who were in every city to assemble and to stand up for themselves--to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any army of whatever people or province that should become their adversaries, including their women and children, and to confiscate their property. <a href="/nheb/esther/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> In those letters, the king granted the Jews who were in every city to gather themselves together, and to defend their life, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to plunder their possessions, <a href="/wbt/esther/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> In which the king granted the Jews who were in every city to assemble, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, <a href="/web/esther/8.htm">World English Bible</a> In those letters, the king granted the Jews who were in every city to gather themselves together and to defend their lives—to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to plunder their possessions, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/esther/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> that the king has given to the Jews who [are] in each and every city, to be assembled, and to stand for their life, to cut off, to slay, and to destroy the whole force of the people and province who are distressing them, infants and women, and their spoil to seize. <a href="/ylt/esther/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> that the king hath given to the Jews who are in every city and city, to be assembled, and to stand for their life, to cut off, to slay, and to destroy the whole force of the people and province who are distressing them, infants and women, and their spoil to seize. <a href="/slt/esther/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Which the king gave to the Jews which were in every city and city to gather together, and to stand for their soul, to cut off, and to kill and to destroy all the power of the people and province pressing upon them, little ones and women, and their spoil for booty,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/esther/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the king gave orders to them, to speak to the Jews in every city, and to command them to gather themselves together, and to stand for their lives, and to kill and destroy all their enemies with their wives and children and all their houses, and to take their spoil. <a href="/cpdv/esther/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 12:11>The king commanded them to bring together the Jews throughout each city, and to instruct them to join together, so as to make a stand for their lives, and to execute and destroy all their enemies, with their wives and children and their entire houses, and to plunder their spoil. <a href="/nabre/esther/8.htm">New American Bible</a> In these letters the king authorized the Jews in each and every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every armed group of any nation or province that might attack them, along with their wives and children, and to seize their goods as spoil <a href="/nrsvce/esther/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> By these letters the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to assemble and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, with their children and women, and to plunder their goods<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/esther/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> In these letters the king permitted the Jews who were in every city to gather themselves together and to defend their lives, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish every one that might oppress them, both little ones and women, and to take their goods for spoil. <a href="/hpbt/esther/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> The letters that the King wrote for the Jews who were in every city, to assemble and to stand up for their lives and to use the sword and to kill and to destroy everyone who distresses them, and the children and the women and their property were for spoil<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/esther/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> that the king had granted the Jews that were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, and to slay, and to cause to perish, all the forces of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, <a href="/sep/esther/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> wherein he charged them to use their own laws in every city, and to help each other, and to treat their adversaries, and those who attacked them, as they pleased, <a href="/parallel/esther/8-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRosJDhNG-8?start=1620" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/esther/8.htm">The Decree of Xerxes</a> …10Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes and sealed it with the royal signet ring. He sent the documents by mounted couriers riding on swift horses bred from the royal mares. 11<a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">By these letters</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nā·ṯan (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">permitted</a> <a href="/hebrew/3064.htm" title="3064: lay·yə·hū·ḏîm (Prep-l, Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Jewish. Patronymically from Yhuwdah; a Jehudite, or descendant of Jehudah.">the Jews</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">in each</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘îr- (N-fsc) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">and every city</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: wā·‘îr (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6950.htm" title="6950: lə·hiq·qā·hêl (Prep-l:: V-Nifal-Inf) -- To gather as an assembly or congregation. A primitive root; to convoke.">the right to assemble</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">and defend</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: wə·la·‘ă·mōḏ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">themselves,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8045.htm" title="8045: lə·haš·mîḏ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be exterminated or destroyed. A primitive root; to desolate.">to destroy,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: wə·la·hă·rōḡ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">kill,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6.htm" title="6: ū·lə·’ab·bêḏ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To perish. A primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. Lose oneself; by implication to perish.">and annihilate</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: ḥêl (N-msc) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">the forces</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am (N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">of any people</a> <a href="/hebrew/4082.htm" title="4082: ū·mə·ḏî·nāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- A province. From diyn; properly, a judgeship, i.e. Jurisdiction; by implication, a district; generally, a region.">or province</a> <a href="/hebrew/6696.htm" title="6696: haṣ·ṣā·rîm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To confine, bind, besiege. A primitive root; to cramp, i.e. Confine.">hostile to them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: wə·nā·šîm (Conj-w:: N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">including women</a> <a href="/hebrew/2945.htm" title="2945: ṭap̄ (N-ms) -- Children. From taphaph; a family.">and children,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7998.htm" title="7998: ū·šə·lā·lām (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- A prey, spoil, plunder, booty. From shalal; booty.">and to plunder</a> <a href="/hebrew/962.htm" title="962: lā·ḇō·wz (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To spoil, plunder. A primitive root; to plunder.">their possessions.</a> 12The single day appointed throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13</a> And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month. <a href="/esther/9-1.htm">Esther 9:1-2</a> On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them. / In each of the provinces of King Xerxes, the Jews assembled in their cities to attack those who sought to harm them. No man could withstand them, because the fear of them had fallen upon all peoples. <a href="/esther/9-5.htm">Esther 9:5-10</a> The Jews put all their enemies to the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did as they pleased to those who hated them. / In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, / including Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, ... <a href="/esther/9-13.htm">Esther 9:13-14</a> Esther replied, “If it pleases the king, may the Jews in Susa also have tomorrow to carry out today’s edict, and may the bodies of Haman’s ten sons be hanged on the gallows.” / So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they hanged the ten sons of Haman. <a href="/esther/9-16.htm">Esther 9:16</a> The rest of the Jews in the royal provinces also assembled to defend themselves and rid themselves of their enemies. They killed 75,000 who hated them, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder. <a href="/esther/9-22.htm">Esther 9:22</a> as the days on which the Jews gained rest from their enemies and the month in which their sorrow turned to joy and their mourning into a holiday. He wrote that these were to be days of feasting and joy, of sending gifts to one another and to the poor. <a href="/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13-14</a> When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword. / But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a> Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” <a href="/2_kings/10-11.htm">2 Kings 10:11</a> So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab, as well as all his great men and close friends and priests, leaving him without a single survivor. <a href="/2_kings/11-14.htm">2 Kings 11:14-16</a> And she looked out and saw the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!” / And Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.” / So they seized Athaliah as she reached the horses’ entrance to the palace grounds, and there she was put to death. <a href="/nehemiah/4-13.htm">Nehemiah 4:13-14</a> So I stationed men behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows. / After I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” <a href="/psalms/149-6.htm">Psalm 149:6-9</a> May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands, / to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, / to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with shackles of iron, ... <a href="/daniel/6-25.htm">Daniel 6:25-28</a> Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language throughout the land: “May your prosperity abound. / I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end. / He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” ... <a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38-39</a> You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ / But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; <a href="/luke/22-36.htm">Luke 22:36</a> “Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,to gather.<a href="/esther/9-2.htm">Esther 9:2-16</a> The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people… to destroy.<a href="/psalms/37-14.htm">Psalm 37:14,15</a> The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation… <a href="/psalms/68-3.htm">Psalm 68:3</a> But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.<a href="/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8</a> O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.and to take the spoil.<a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13</a> And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.<a href="/esther/9-10.htm">Esther 9:10,15,16</a> The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand… <a href="/isaiah/10-6.htm">Isaiah 10:6</a> I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/7-8.htm">Assault</a> <a href="/esther/6-9.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/esther/6-11.htm">City</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-6.htm">Defend</a> <a href="/esther/8-5.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/esther/4-16.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/esther/7-2.htm">Granted</a> <a href="/esther/8-9.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/esther/8-10.htm">Letters</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-19.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/esther/7-4.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Plunder</a> <a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Possessions</a> <a href="/esther/1-4.htm">Power</a> <a href="/esther/8-9.htm">Province</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-10.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/esther/5-9.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/esther/3-2.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/esther/5-12.htm">Together</a> <a href="/esther/5-11.htm">Wherein</a> <a href="/esther/7-4.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/7-20.htm">Assault</a> <a href="/job/2-3.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/esther/8-15.htm">City</a> <a href="/esther/9-16.htm">Defend</a> <a href="/esther/9-24.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/job/11-10.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/esther/9-12.htm">Granted</a> <a href="/esther/8-12.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/esther/9-16.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/esther/9-20.htm">Letters</a> <a href="/job/3-14.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/esther/9-28.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/esther/9-10.htm">Plunder</a> <a href="/job/1-3.htm">Possessions</a> <a href="/esther/9-1.htm">Power</a> <a href="/esther/8-13.htm">Province</a> <a href="/job/9-23.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/esther/9-10.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/job/4-4.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/esther/8-13.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/esther/9-2.htm">Together</a> <a href="/esther/9-22.htm">Wherein</a> <a href="/job/2-10.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Esther 8</div>1. <a href="/esther/8-1.htm">Mordecai is advanced.</a> 3. <a href="/esther/8-3.htm">Esther makes suit to reverse Haman's letters.</a> 7. <a href="/esther/8-7.htm">Xerxes grants to the Jews to defend themselves.</a> 15. <a href="/esther/8-15.htm">Mordecai's honor, and the Jews' joy.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/esther/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/esther/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/esther/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city This phrase highlights the authority of the king's decree, which was a reversal of the earlier edict that allowed for the destruction of the Jews. The king's letters were sent throughout the Persian Empire, which was vast, stretching from India to Ethiopia. This demonstrates the extensive reach of the Persian administration and the importance of written decrees in maintaining order across such a large territory. The use of letters signifies the formal and legal nature of the decree, ensuring that it was recognized and enforced throughout the empire.the right to assemble and defend themselves The right to assemble was crucial for the Jews, as it allowed them to organize and prepare for their defense. This was a significant shift from their previous position of vulnerability. The ability to defend themselves was a matter of survival, as the earlier decree had left them exposed to attack. This self-defense was not just a physical necessity but also a moral and legal right granted by the king, reflecting a change in their status within the empire.to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them This phrase underscores the severity of the threat against the Jews and the comprehensive nature of their authorized response. The language mirrors that of the original decree against them, emphasizing the complete reversal of their fortunes. The terms "destroy, kill, and annihilate" indicate the seriousness of the situation and the extent to which the Jews were permitted to go in defending themselves. This reflects the biblical principle of justice and retribution, where the punishment matches the intended harm.including women and children The inclusion of women and children in the decree highlights the totality of the threat faced by the Jews. In ancient warfare, entire families could be targeted, and this provision ensured that the Jews could protect all members of their community. This aspect of the decree also reflects the harsh realities of ancient conflicts, where non-combatants were often caught in the crossfire. It underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for comprehensive protection.and to plunder their possessions The permission to plunder the possessions of their enemies was a common practice in ancient warfare, serving as both a deterrent and a means of recompense for the victors. For the Jews, this provision not only allowed them to defend themselves but also to gain materially from their victory, which could help to restore what they had lost or been threatened with losing. This aspect of the decree aligns with the biblical theme of divine justice, where the righteous are ultimately rewarded and the wicked are punished.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/esther.htm">Esther</a> A Jewish queen of Persia who played a crucial role in saving her people from destruction. 2. <a href="/topical/m/mordecai.htm">Mordecai</a> Esther's cousin and guardian, who became a prominent figure in the Persian court and was instrumental in the Jews' deliverance. 3. <a href="/topical/k/king_ahasuerus.htm">King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I)</a> The Persian king who issued the edict allowing the Jews to defend themselves. 4. <a href="/topical/h/haman.htm">Haman</a> The antagonist who plotted to destroy the Jews, leading to the need for this edict. 5. <a href="/topical/s/susa.htm">Susa</a> The capital of the Persian Empire, where much of the account unfolds.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_providence.htm">Divine Providence</a> God's hand is evident in the reversal of the Jews' fate. Trust in God's timing and sovereignty, even when circumstances seem dire. <a href="/topical/r/righteous_defense.htm">Righteous Defense</a> The edict highlights the legitimacy of self-defense. Christians are called to protect the innocent and stand against injustice. <a href="/topical/c/courage_and_leadership.htm">Courage and Leadership</a> Esther and Mordecai's actions demonstrate the impact of courageous leadership. Believers are encouraged to step up in times of crisis. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_unity.htm">Community and Unity</a> The Jews were granted the right to assemble, underscoring the strength found in unity. The church today should strive for unity in purpose and action. <a href="/topical/m/moral_responsibility.htm">Moral Responsibility</a> While the edict allowed for plundering, the focus was on defense. Believers must discern between just actions and personal gain.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_esther_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Esther 8</a> <a href="/q/does_esther_9_10_conflict_with_accountability.htm">Esther 9:10: Does executing Haman’s sons conflict with any biblical principles on individual accountability or moral responsibility?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_esther_8_8_override_persian_law.htm">How does Esther 8:8 reconcile with the supposed irrevocability of Persian law if a second decree effectively overrules the first? </a> <a href="/q/why_allow_more_killing_in_esther_9_13-15.htm">Esther 9:13–15: Why would an additional day of killing be sanctioned, and does this align with other biblical teachings on mercy and restraint? </a> <a href="/q/are_there_records_of_75,000_deaths.htm">Esther 9:16: Are there historical or archaeological records confirming the death of 75,000 enemies throughout the Persian Empire in such a short time? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/esther/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) To stand for their life.--It will be noticed that, so far at any rate as the edict authorises, the Jews are not permitted to take the initiative, but merely to stand on the defensive. As it was, it was risking civil war in all the cities of the empire, though the results were considerably lessened by numbers of people taking the hint obviously presented by the second edict. "Many of the people of the land became Jews, for the fear of the Jews came upon them."Take the spoil of them.--We find that when the storm actually came, the Jews declined to take advantage of this part of the edict.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/esther/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - Wherein the king granted. Rather, "that the king granted." Mordecai sent "letters," which said "that the king granted to the Jews to gather themselves together," etc. To gather themselves together. Union is strength. If all the Jews of a province were allowed to collect and band themselves together, they would at once be a formidable body. Scattered in the various towns and villages, they might easily have been overpowered. To stand for their life. The Jews have sometimes been spoken of as the aggressors on the actual 13th of Adar, but there is no evidence to support this view. The edict clearly only allowed them to stand on the defensive. Of course, when fighting once began, both sides did their worst. In repelling attack the Jews had the same liberty to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish as their adversaries (<a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13</a>). Little ones. Rather, "families." Take the spoil of them for a prey. i.e. "seize their property." The earlier edict had given the same permission to the Jews' enemies (<a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13</a>). <a href="/commentaries/esther/8-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>By these letters אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the king הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king permitted נָתַ֨ן (nā·ṯan) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set the Jews לַיְּהוּדִ֣ים ׀ (lay·yə·hū·ḏîm) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3064.htm">Strong's 3064: </a> Jews -- Jewish in each בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every and every city עִיר־ (‘îr-) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement the right to assemble לְהִקָּהֵל֮ (lə·hiq·qā·hêl) Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6950.htm">Strong's 6950: </a> To gather as an assembly or congregation and defend עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against themselves, נַפְשָׁם֒ (nap̄·šām) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion to destroy, לְהַשְׁמִיד֩ (lə·haš·mîḏ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8045.htm">Strong's 8045: </a> To be exterminated or destroyed kill, וְלַהֲרֹ֨ג (wə·la·hă·rōḡ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> To smite with deadly intent and annihilate וּלְאַבֵּ֜ד (ū·lə·’ab·bêḏ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6.htm">Strong's 6: </a> To wander away, lose oneself, to perish all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the forces חֵ֨יל (ḥêl) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2426.htm">Strong's 2426: </a> An army, an intrenchment of any people עַ֧ם (‘am) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock or province וּמְדִינָ֛ה (ū·mə·ḏî·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4082.htm">Strong's 4082: </a> A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a region hostile to them, הַצָּרִ֥ים (haṣ·ṣā·rîm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6696.htm">Strong's 6696: </a> To confine, bind, besiege including women וְנָשִׁ֑ים (wə·nā·šîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female and children, טַ֣ף (ṭap̄) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2945.htm">Strong's 2945: </a> A family and to plunder וּשְׁלָלָ֖ם (ū·šə·lā·lām) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7998.htm">Strong's 7998: </a> A prey, spoil, plunder, booty their possessions. לָבֽוֹז׃ (lā·ḇō·wz) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_962.htm">Strong's 962: </a> To spoil, plunder <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/esther/8-11.htm">OT History: Esther 8:11 In those letters the king granted (Est Esth. Es) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/esther/8-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Esther 8:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Esther 8:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/esther/8-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Esther 8:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Esther 8:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>