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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 3:13 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/esther/3-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/17_Est_03_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Esther 3:13 - Haman Plots Against the Jews" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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'; 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This was scheduled to happen on March 7 of the next year. The property of the Jews would be given to those who killed them. <a href="/esv/esther/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. <a href="/bsb/esther/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</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="/kjv/esther/3.htm">King James Bible</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="/nkjv/esther/3.htm">New King James Version</a> And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions. <a href="/nasb_/esther/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces to annihilate, kill, and destroy all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to seize their possessions as plunder. <a href="/nasb/esther/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> Letters were sent by couriers to all the king&#8217s 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 Adar, and to seize their possessions as plunder. <a href="/nasb77/esther/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And 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 Adar, and to seize their possessions as plunder. <a href="/lsb/esther/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And letters were sent by the hand of couriers to all the king’s provinces to destroy, to kill, and to cause all the Jews to perish, both young and old, little ones and women, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to plunder their spoil. <a href="/amp/esther/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> 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. <a href="/csb/esther/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces telling the officials to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jewish people—young and old, women and children—and plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month. <a href="/hcsb/esther/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces telling the officials to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jewish people—young and old, women and children—and plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month. <a href="/asv/esther/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> And letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to slay, 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="/cev/esther/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The letters were taken by messengers to every part of the kingdom, and this is what was said in the letters: On the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month, all Jewish men, women, and children are to be killed. And their property is to be taken. <a href="/erv/esther/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> And letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to slay, 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="/gwt/esther/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Messengers were sent with official documents to all the king's provinces. [The people were ordered] to wipe out, kill, and destroy all the Jews-young and old, women and children-on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Their possessions were also to be seized. <a href="/gnt/esther/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> Runners took this proclamation to every province of the empire. It contained the instructions that on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, all Jews--young and old, women and children--were to be killed. They were to be slaughtered without mercy and their belongings were to be taken. <a href="/isv/esther/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Letters were sent by couriers to all of the king's provinces to annihilate, to kill, and to destroy all the Jewish people, both young and old, women and children, and to confiscate their goods on a single day—the thirteenth day of the twelfth month of Adar. <a href="/net/esther/3.htm">NET Bible</a> Letters were sent by the runners to all the king's provinces stating that they should destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews, from youth to elderly, both women and children, on a particular day, namely the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), and to loot and plunder their possessions. <a href="/nheb/esther/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Letters were sent by couriers 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 on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to plunder their possessions. <a href="/wbt/esther/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</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.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/esther/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</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="/web/esther/3.htm">World English Bible</a> Letters were sent by couriers 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 on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to plunder their possessions. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/esther/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and letters to be sent by the hand of the runners to all provinces of the king, to cut off, to slay, and to destroy all the Jews, from young even to old, infant and women, on one day, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month—it [is] the month of Adar—and to seize their spoil, <a href="/ylt/esther/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and letters to be sent by the hand of the runners unto all provinces of the king, to cut off, to slay, and to destroy all the Jews, from young even unto old, infant and women, on one day, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month -- it is the month of Adar -- and their spoil to seize, <a href="/slt/esther/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the letters were sent by the hand of the runners to all the king's provinces, to cut off, to kill and to destroy, all the Jews, from the youth and even to the old man, the little ones and women, in one day, in the thirteenth to the twelfth month, (this the month Adar) and their spoil for plunder.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/esther/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Were sent by the king's messengers to all provinces, to kill and destroy all the Jews, both young and old, little children, and women, in one day, that is, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is called Adar, and to make a spoil of their goods. <a href="/cpdv/esther/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 5:13>These were sent by the king’s messengers to all the provinces, so as to kill and destroy all the Jews, from children all the way to the elderly, even little children and women, on one day, that is, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is called Adar, and to plunder their goods, even their necessities. <V 6:1>And this was the text of the letter: “Artaxerxes, the great king from India all the way to Ethiopia, to the leaders and generals of the one hundred twenty-seven provinces, which are subject to his authority, greetings. <V 6:2>Although I have reigned over many nations and subjugated the whole world under my realm, I was by no means willing to abuse the greatness of this power, but to govern my subjects with clemency and leniency, so that they would settle into a quiet life, apart from any terror, and delight in peace, as all mortals would choose to do. <V 6:3>Yet, in asking my counselors how this might be able to be accomplished, one who excelled the others in wisdom and fidelity, and who was second after the king, named Haman, <V 6:4>explained to me that there was a people, scattered throughout the whole world, that used strange laws, and, acting against the customs of all peoples, despised the commandments of kings and violated the harmony of all nations with their dissension. <V 6:5>When we had learned this, seeing one nation rebellious against all mankind, having overthrown the usefulness of laws, and going against our orders, and disturbing the peace and harmony of the provinces subject to us, <V 6:6>we commanded that whomever Haman, who is chief over all the provinces, and second after the king, and whom we honor in the place of a father, whomever he would point out should be destroyed by their enemies, with their wives and children, and that no one may take pity on them, on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year, <V 6:7>so that these guilty men, all on one day, may go down to the underworld, restoring to our empire the peace that they had disturbed.” <a href="/nabre/esther/3.htm">New American Bible</a> Letters were sent by couriers to all the royal provinces, to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, including women and children in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, and to seize their goods as spoil. <a href="/nrsvce/esther/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces, giving orders to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/esther/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the letters were sent by couriers to 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 their wealth for a prey. In the same day on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar they were written. <a href="/hpbt/esther/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the letters were sent by runners to all the cities of the King to destroy and to kill and to destroy all Jews, from the young men and unto the old, and children and the women in one day on the thirteenth of the month Adar, and to loot their riches in one day in the month of Adar; on the thirteenth day it was written.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/esther/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to slay, 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="/sep/esther/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the message was sent by posts throughout the kingdom of Artaxerxes, to destroy utterly the race of the Jews on the first day of the twelfth month, which is Adar, and to plunder their goods. <a href="/parallel/esther/3-13.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=736" 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/3.htm">Haman Plots Against the Jews</a> …12On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring. 13<a href="/hebrew/5612.htm" title="5612: sə·p̄ā·rîm (N-mp) -- A missive, document, writing, book. Or ciphrah; from caphar; properly, writing; by implication, a book.">And the letters</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: wə·niš·lō·w·aḥ (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-InfAbs) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">were sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yaḏ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">by</a> <a href="/hebrew/7323.htm" title="7323: hā·rā·ṣîm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To run. A primitive root; to run.">couriers</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</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.">each</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">of the royal</a> <a href="/hebrew/4082.htm" title="4082: mə·ḏî·nō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- A province. From diyn; properly, a judgeship, i.e. Jurisdiction; by implication, a district; generally, a region.">provinces</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.">with the order to destroy,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: la·hă·rōḡ (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/3064.htm" title="3064: hay·yə·hū·ḏîm (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Jewish. Patronymically from Yhuwdah; a Jehudite, or descendant of Jehudah.">the Jews—</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: min·na·‘ar (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">young</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: wə·‘aḏ- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: zā·qên (Adj-ms) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">old,</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.">women</a> <a href="/hebrew/2945.htm" title="2945: ṭap̄ (N-ms) -- Children. From taphaph; a family.">and children—</a> <a href="/hebrew/962.htm" title="962: lā·ḇō·wz (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To spoil, plunder. A primitive root; to plunder.">and to plunder</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.">their possessions</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">on a single</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bə·yō·wm (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">day,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: biš·lō·wō·šāh (Prep-b:: Number-ms) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">the thirteenth</a> <a href="/hebrew/6240.htm" title="6240: ‘ā·śār (Number-ms) -- Ten. For eser; ten, i.e. -teen; also -teenth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/143.htm" title="143: ’ă·ḏār (N-proper-fs) -- The twelfth month in the Jewish calendar. Probably of foreign derivation; perhaps meaning fire; Adar, the 12th Hebrew month.">day of Adar,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nêm- (Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">the twelfth</a> <a href="/hebrew/6240.htm" title="6240: ‘ā·śār (Number-ms) -- Ten. For eser; ten, i.e. -teen; also -teenth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū- (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2320.htm" title="2320: ḥō·ḏeš (N-msc) -- New moon, a month. From chadash; the new moon; by implication, a month.">month.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2320.htm" title="2320: lə·ḥō·ḏeš (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- New moon, a month. From chadash; the new moon; by implication, a month."></a> 14A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready on that day.…<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/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11-12</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. / The single day appointed throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. <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="/daniel/6-7.htm">Daniel 6:7-9</a> All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions. / Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” / Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. <a href="/daniel/3-6.htm">Daniel 3:6</a> And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.” <a href="/1_samuel/19-1.htm">1 Samuel 19:1</a> Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David, <a href="/2_kings/11-1.htm">2 Kings 11:1</a> When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs. <a href="/exodus/1-16.htm">Exodus 1:16</a> “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.” <a href="/exodus/17-14.htm">Exodus 17:14</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” <a href="/deuteronomy/25-19.htm">Deuteronomy 25:19</a> When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget! <a href="/psalms/83-4.htm">Psalm 83:4</a> saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.” <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Matthew 2:16</a> When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. <a href="/acts/9-1.htm">Acts 9:1-2</a> Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest / and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. <a href="/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1-3</a> About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. / He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. / And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. <a href="/revelation/12-17.htm">Revelation 12:17</a> And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. <a href="/revelation/13-7.htm">Revelation 13:7</a> Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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 on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.by posts.<a href="/esther/8-10.htm">Esther 8:10,14</a> And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: … <a href="/2_chronicles/30-6.htm">2 Chronicles 30:6</a> So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.<a href="/job/9-25.htm">Job 9:25</a> Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.both young.<a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a> Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.<a href="/1_samuel/22-19.htm">1 Samuel 22:19</a> And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.in one day.<a href="/esther/8-12.htm">Esther 8:12-14</a> Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar… <a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a> For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.the spoil.<a href="/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11</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="/esther/9-10.htm">Esther 9:10</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/3-7.htm">Adar</a> <a href="/esther/1-18.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-24.htm">Children</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/30-10.htm">Couriers</a> <a href="/esther/3-9.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/esther/3-10.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-10.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/esther/3-12.htm">King's</a> <a href="/esther/1-22.htm">Letters</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-2.htm">Little</a> <a href="/esther/3-12.htm">Month</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-8.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm">Plunder</a> <a href="/ezra/10-8.htm">Possessions</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-11.htm">Posts</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/esther/3-8.htm">Provinces</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/esther/3-12.htm">Thirteenth</a> <a href="/esther/3-7.htm">Twelfth</a> <a href="/esther/2-19.htm">Women</a> <a href="/esther/2-13.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/esther/8-12.htm">Adar</a> <a href="/esther/5-5.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/esther/5-11.htm">Children</a> <a href="/esther/3-15.htm">Couriers</a> <a href="/esther/4-7.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/esther/4-3.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/esther/8-11.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/esther/3-15.htm">King's</a> <a href="/esther/8-5.htm">Letters</a> <a href="/job/4-12.htm">Little</a> <a href="/esther/8-9.htm">Month</a> <a href="/esther/4-14.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/esther/8-11.htm">Plunder</a> <a href="/esther/8-11.htm">Possessions</a> <a href="/esther/3-15.htm">Posts</a> <a href="/esther/9-10.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/esther/4-11.htm">Provinces</a> <a href="/esther/8-11.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/esther/8-12.htm">Thirteenth</a> <a href="/esther/8-12.htm">Twelfth</a> <a href="/esther/4-4.htm">Women</a> <a href="/esther/4-4.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Esther 3</div>1. <a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Haman, advanced by the king, and despised by Mordecai, seeks revenge upon the Jews.</a> 7. <a href="/esther/3-7.htm">He casts lots.</a> 8. <a href="/esther/3-8.htm">He obtains by false accusations a decree of the king to put the Jews to death.</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/3.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/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces This phrase highlights the vastness of the Persian Empire, which stretched from India to Ethiopia, encompassing 127 provinces. The use of couriers indicates an advanced communication system, crucial for maintaining control over such a large territory. This system is also mentioned in <a href="/esther/8-10.htm">Esther 8:10</a>, where Mordecai uses it to counteract Haman's decree. The efficiency of this network underscores the seriousness and urgency of the decree.with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children The triplet "destroy, kill, and annihilate" emphasizes the totality and brutality of the intended genocide. This echoes the Amalekite threat in <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a>, where Saul was commanded to completely destroy the Amalekites, a task he failed to complete. Haman, an Agagite, is seen as a descendant of the Amalekites, continuing the ancient enmity against the Jews. This decree is a stark reminder of the persistent threat against God's chosen people throughout history.and to plunder their possessions The inclusion of plundering indicates not only a desire for extermination but also for economic gain. This mirrors the actions of the enemies of Israel in other parts of the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/2_chronicles/20-25.htm">2 Chronicles 20:25</a>, where the spoils of war are collected. The plundering aspect also highlights the greed and malice behind Haman's plot, contrasting with the later reversal in <a href="/esther/9-10.htm">Esther 9:10</a>, where the Jews do not lay hands on the plunder.on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month The specificity of the date underscores the premeditated nature of the plot. The thirteenth day of Adar becomes significant in Jewish history as the day before Purim, a festival celebrating the deliverance of the Jews from this decree. The choice of a single day for the execution of the plan suggests an attempt to prevent any escape or resistance. This date, chosen by casting lots (<a href="/esther/3-7.htm">Esther 3:7</a>), ironically becomes a day of victory and celebration for the Jews, demonstrating God's providence and sovereignty over human affairs.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/h/haman.htm">Haman</a> A high-ranking official in the Persian Empire, Haman is the antagonist in the Book of Esther. He harbors a deep hatred for the Jewish people, particularly Mordecai, and devises a plan to annihilate them. 2. <a href="/topical/m/mordecai.htm">Mordecai</a> A Jew living in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, and the cousin of Queen Esther. Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman, which incites Haman's wrath and leads to the decree against the Jews. 3. <a href="/topical/e/esther.htm">Esther</a> The Jewish queen of Persia, who is unaware of the decree at this point. Her role becomes crucial as the account unfolds, highlighting her bravery and faith. 4. <a href="/topical/s/susa.htm">Susa</a> The capital city of the Persian Empire, where the events of the Book of Esther take place. It is the setting for the unfolding drama between Haman, Mordecai, and Esther. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_decree.htm">The Decree</a> A royal edict issued by King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) at Haman's instigation, calling for the destruction of all Jews in the empire on a single day.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_pride_and_hatred.htm">The Danger of Pride and Hatred</a> Haman's pride and hatred lead to his downfall. Believers are reminded to guard their hearts against these destructive sins. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_protection.htm">God's Sovereignty and Protection</a> Despite the dire circumstances, God is in control. This encourages believers to trust in God's plan, even when it is not immediately visible. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_intercession.htm">The Power of Intercession</a> Esther's eventual intercession for her people is a powerful example of standing in the gap for others, encouraging believers to pray and act on behalf of those in need. <a href="/topical/c/courage_in_the_face_of_injustice.htm">Courage in the Face of Injustice</a> Mordecai and Esther's courage inspire believers to stand firm in their faith and convictions, even when facing societal pressures or threats. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_identity.htm">The Importance of Identity</a> Esther's Jewish identity plays a crucial role in the account. Believers are encouraged to embrace their identity in Christ and live it out boldly.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_esther_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Esther 3</a> <a href="/q/how_did_esther_save_the_jews.htm">How did Esther save the Jews from Haman's plot?</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/which_bible_verse_is_the_longest.htm">Which Bible verse is the longest?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_esther_10_align_with_other_ot_texts.htm">Esther 10 (entire) – How can the brief mention of King Ahasuerus’s acts reconcile with other Old Testament texts depicting Persian rule differently?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/esther/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) Posts.--Literally, the runners. (See Note on <a href="/esther/1-22.htm" title="For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.">Esther 1:22</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/esther/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 13. - And the letters were sent by posts. The Persian system of posts is thus described by Xenophon, who attributes its introduction to Cyrus: - "Stables for horses are erected along the various lines of route, at such a distance one from another as a horse can accomplish in a day. All the stables are provided with a number of horses and grooms. There is a post-master to preside over each, who receives the despatches along with the tired men and horses, and sends them on by fresh horses and fresh riders. Sometimes there is no stoppage in the conveyance even at night; since a night courier takes up the work of the day courier, and continues it. It has been said that these posts outstrip the flight of birds, which is not altogether true; but beyond a doubt it is the most rapid of all methods of conveyance by land" ('Cyrop.,' 8:6, § 17). To destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish. The writer quotes from the edict, which appears to have had as many surplus words as a modern English law paper. Young and old, little children and women. "To take the father's life and spare the child's" was thought to be an act of folly in ancient times. Wives and children of criminals were, as a matter of course, put to death with them. This was anciently even the Jewish practice (<a href="/joshua/7-24.htm">Joshua 7:24, 25</a>; <a href="/2_kings/9-26.htm">2 Kings 9:26</a>; <a href="/2_kings/14-6.htm">2 Kings 14:6</a>), and was quite an established usage in Persia (Herod., 3:119). The thirteenth day. The Septuagint has "the fourteenth day" in its professed copy of the decree, but confirms the Hebrew text here by making the thirteenth the actual day of the struggle (<a href="/esther/9-1.htm">Esther 9:1</a>). The fourteenth and fifteenth are the days now kept by the Jews; but it is suspected that an alteration has been made in order to assimilate the Purim to the passover feast, which began on the 14th of Nisan. <a href="/commentaries/esther/3-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And the letters סְפָרִ֜ים (sə·p̄ā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5612.htm">Strong's 5612: </a> A missive, document, writing, book were sent וְנִשְׁל֨וֹחַ (wə·niš·lō·w·aḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out by בְּיַ֣ד (bə·yaḏ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand couriers הָרָצִים֮ (hā·rā·ṣîm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7323.htm">Strong's 7323: </a> To run to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to each כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every of the royal הַמֶּלֶךְ֒ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king provinces מְדִינ֣וֹת (mə·ḏî·nō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4082.htm">Strong's 4082: </a> A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a region with the order to destroy, לְהַשְׁמִ֡יד (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, לַהֲרֹ֣ג (la·hă·rōḡ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> To smite with deadly intent and annihilate וּלְאַבֵּ֣ד (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 Jews— הַ֠יְּהוּדִים (hay·yə·hū·ḏîm) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3064.htm">Strong's 3064: </a> Jews -- Jewish young מִנַּ֨עַר (min·na·‘ar) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> A boy, lad, youth, retainer and וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while old, זָקֵ֜ן (zā·qên) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> Old women וְנָשִׁים֙ (wə·nā·šîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female and children— טַ֤ף (ṭap̄) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2945.htm">Strong's 2945: </a> A family and to plunder לָבֽוֹז׃ (lā·ḇō·wz) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_962.htm">Strong's 962: </a> To spoil, plunder their possessions 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 on a single אֶחָ֔ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first day, בְּי֣וֹם (bə·yō·wm) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day the thirteenth בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֥ה (biš·lō·wō·šāh) Preposition-b | Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> Three, third, thrice day of Adar, אֲדָ֑ר (’ă·ḏār) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_143.htm">Strong's 143: </a> The twelfth month in the Jewish calendar the twelfth שְׁנֵים־ (šə·nêm-) Number - md <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) month. לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ (lə·ḥō·ḏeš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2320.htm">Strong's 2320: </a> The new moon, a month <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/esther/3-13.htm">OT History: Esther 3:13 Letters were sent by couriers into all (Est Esth. Es) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/esther/3-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Esther 3:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Esther 3:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/esther/3-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Esther 3:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Esther 3:14" /></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>