Esther 9

The Jews Destroy Their Enemies

1 Now a in the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, b the time came for the king's command and his decree to be executed. On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves c overpowered those who hated them. 2 The Jews d gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who e sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, f because fear of them fell upon all people. 3 And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and all those doing the king's work, helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king's palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for this man Mordecai g became increasingly prominent. 5 Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did what they pleased with those who hated them. 6 And in h Shushan 1 the 2 citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. 7 Also Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vajezatha - 10 i the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews - they killed; j but they did not lay a hand on the 3 plunder.

11 On that day the number of those who were killed in 4 Shushan the 5 citadel 6 was brought to the king. 12 And the king said to Queen Esther, "The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the citadel, and the ten sons of Haman. What have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now k what is your petition? It shall be granted to you. Or what is your further request? It shall be done." 13 Then Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do again tomorrow l according to today's decree, and let Haman's ten sons m be hanged on the gallows." 14 So the king commanded this to be done; the decree was issued in Shushan, and they hanged Haman's ten sons. 15 And the Jews who were in 7 Shushan n gathered together again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men at Shushan; o but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.

16 The remainder of the Jews in the king's provinces p gathered together and protected their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of their enemies; q but they did not lay a hand on the plunder. 17 This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. And on the fourteenth of 8 the month they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 18 But the Jews who were at 9 Shushan assembled together r on the thirteenth day, as well as on the fourteenth; and on the fifteenth of 10 the month they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages who dwelt in the unwalled towns celebrated the fourteenth day of the month of Adar s with gladness and feasting, t as a holiday, and for u sending presents to one another.

The Feast of Purim Inaugurated

20 And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, 21 to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar, 22 as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of v sending presents to one another and gifts to the w poor.

23 So the Jews accepted the custom which they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them, 24 because Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, x had plotted against the Jews to annihilate them, and had cast Pur (that is, the lot), to consume them and destroy them; 25 but y when 11 Esther came before the king, he commanded by letter that 12 this wicked plot which Haman had devised against the Jews should z return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 So they called these days Purim, after the name 13 Pur. Therefore, because of all the words of a this letter, what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews established and imposed it upon themselves and their descendants and all who would b join them, that without fail they should celebrate these two days every year, according to the written instructions and according to the prescribed time, 28 that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city, that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, and that the memory of them should not perish among their descendants.

29 Then Queen Esther, c the daughter of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this d second letter about Purim. 30 And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews, to e the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, 31 to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had prescribed for them, and as they had decreed for themselves and their descendants concerning matters of their f fasting and lamenting. 32 So the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim, and it was written in the book.

  1. Cross References
    Esther 8:12
    On one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
  2. Cross References
    Esther 3:13
    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.
  3. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:41
    You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me.
  4. Cross References
    Esther 8:11
    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.
    Esther 9:15 - 18
    And the Jews who were in Shushan gathered together again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men at Shushan; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.
  5. Cross References
    Psalms 71:13
    Let them be confounded and consumed Who are adversaries of my life; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor Who seek my hurt.
    Psalms 71:14
    But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
  6. Cross References
    Esther 8:17
    And in every province and city, wherever the king's command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.
  7. Cross References
    2 Samuel 3:1
    Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
    1 Chronicles 11:9
    So David went on and became great, and the LORD of hosts was with him.
    Proverbs 4:18
    But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
  8. Cross References
    Esther 1:2
    In those days when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the citadel.
    Esther 3:15
    The couriers went out, hastened by the king's command; and the decree was proclaimed in Shushan the citadel. So the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed.
    Esther 4:16
    "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!"
  9. Cross References
    Esther 5:11
    Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king.
    Esther 9:7 - 10
    Also Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha.
    Job 18:19
    He has neither son nor posterity among his people, Nor any remaining in his dwellings.
    Job 27:13 - 15
    This is the portion of a wicked man with God, And the heritage of oppressors, received from the Almighty:
    Psalms 21:10
    Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth, And their descendants from among the sons of men.
  10. Cross References
    Esther 8:11
    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.
  11. Cross References
    Esther 5:6
    At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, "What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!
    Esther 7:2
    And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!
  12. Cross References
    Esther 8:11
    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.
    Esther 9:15
    And the Jews who were in Shushan gathered together again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men at Shushan; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.
  13. Cross References
    2 Samuel 21:6
    "let seven men of his descendants be delivered to us, and we will hang them before the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD chose." And the king said, "I will give them."
    2 Samuel 21:9
    And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the LORD. So they fell, all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.
  14. Cross References
    Esther 8:11
    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.
    Esther 9:2
    The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, because fear of them fell upon all people.
  15. Cross References
    Esther 9:10
    The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews - they killed; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.
  16. Cross References
    Esther 9:2
    The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, because fear of them fell upon all people.
  17. Cross References
    Esther 8:11
    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.
  18. Cross References
    Esther 9:11
    On that day the number of those who were killed in Shushan the citadel was brought to the king.
    Esther 9:15
    And the Jews who were in Shushan gathered together again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men at Shushan; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.
  19. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 16:11
    You shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among you, at the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide.
    Deuteronomy 16:14
    And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates.
  20. Cross References
    Esther 8:16
    The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor.
    Esther 8:17
    And in every province and city, wherever the king's command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.
  21. Cross References
    Nehemiah 8:10
    Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
    Nehemiah 8:12
    And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.
    Esther 9:22
    As the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.
  22. Cross References
    Nehemiah 8:10
    Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
    Esther 9:19
    Therefore the Jews of the villages who dwelt in the unwalled towns celebrated the fourteenth day of the month of Adar with gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and for sending presents to one another.
  23. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 15:7 - 11
    If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother.
    Job 29:16
    I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know.
  24. Cross References
    Esther 3:6
    But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus - the people of Mordecai.
    Esther 3:7
    In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, the lot), before Haman to determine the day and the month, until it fell on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
    Esther 9:26
    So they called these days Purim, after the name Pur. Therefore, because of all the words of this letter, what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had happened to them.
  25. Cross References
    Esther 7:4 - 10
    "For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king's loss."
    Esther 8:3
    Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell down at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme which he had devised against the Jews.
    Esther 9:13
    Then Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do again tomorrow according to today's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows.
    Esther 9:14
    So the king commanded this to be done; the decree was issued in Shushan, and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
  26. Cross References
    Esther 7:10
    So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's wrath subsided.
  27. Cross References
    Esther 9:20
    And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
  28. Cross References
    Esther 8:17
    And in every province and city, wherever the king's command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.
    Isaiah 56:3
    Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to the LORD Speak, saying, "The LORD has utterly separated me from His people"; Nor let the eunuch say, "Here I am, a dry tree.
    Isaiah 56:6
    Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants - Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant -
    Zechariah 2:11
    Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
  29. Cross References
    Esther 2:15
    Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her.
  30. Cross References
    Esther 8:10
    And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed it with the king's signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on royal horses bred from swift steeds.
    Esther 9:20
    And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
    Esther 9:21
    To establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar.
  31. Cross References
    Esther 1:1
    Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this was the Ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia).
  32. Cross References
    Esther 4:3
    And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
    Esther 4:16
    "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!"
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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