King James Version

What Does Esther 3:13 Mean?

Esther 3:13 in the King James Version says “And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews,...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Esther 3:13 · KJV

Salvation

Context

11

And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

12

Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. scribes: or, secretaries

13

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.

14

The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

15

The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Genocidal decree: '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'. The decree orders complete annihilation of all Jews empire-wide on a specific date, authorizing plunder of their property. The threefold description ('destroy, kill, cause to perish') emphasizes total extermination. This represents Satan's attempt to destroy the covenant people and prevent Messiah's coming. The specific date (Adar 13) gave Jews time to discover the plot and Esther opportunity to intervene, demonstrating God's providence providing space for deliverance even in crisis.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient genocide (called herem or 'devotion to destruction' in Hebrew) appears in Scripture and ancient Near Eastern texts. Haman's decree authorized empire-wide pogrom, providing legal cover for Jew-hatred. The eleven-month delay between decree and execution date (Esther 3:7, 12-13) seems strange but proved providentially crucial—it allowed time for Mordecai to inform Esther, Esther to approach the king, and events to unfold leading to the Jews' deliverance. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Near Eastern kingdoms issued imperial decrees reaching all provinces through efficient postal systems, making the threat immediate and comprehensive.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the comprehensive nature of this genocidal decree illustrate Satan's attempt to destroy God's covenant people?
  2. What does the timing (specific future date) teach about God's providence creating space for deliverance even when destruction appears decreed?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וְנִשְׁל֨וֹחַ1 of 31

“were sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

סְפָרִ֜ים2 of 31

“And the letters”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

בְּיַ֣ד3 of 31

“by”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הָֽרָצִים֮4 of 31

“posts”

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

אֶל5 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל6 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מְדִינ֣וֹת7 of 31

“provinces”

H4082

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

הַמֶּלֶךְ֒8 of 31

“into all the king's”

H4428

a king

לְהַשְׁמִ֡יד9 of 31

“to destroy”

H8045

to desolate

לַֽהֲרֹ֣ג10 of 31

“to kill”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

וּלְאַבֵּ֣ד11 of 31

“and to cause to perish”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

אֶת12 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל13 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַ֠יְּהוּדִים14 of 31

“all Jews”

H3064

a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)

מִנַּ֨עַר15 of 31

“both young”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

וְעַד16 of 31
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

זָקֵ֨ן17 of 31

“and old”

H2205

old

טַ֤ף18 of 31

“little children”

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

וְנָשִׁים֙19 of 31

“and women”

H802

a woman

בְּי֣וֹם20 of 31

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶחָ֔ד21 of 31

“in one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֥ה22 of 31

“even upon the thirteenth”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

עָשָׂ֛ר23 of 31
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

חֹ֣דֶשׁ24 of 31

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

שְׁנֵים25 of 31

“day of the twelfth”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂ֖ר26 of 31
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

הוּא27 of 31
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

חֹ֣דֶשׁ28 of 31

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

אֲדָ֑ר29 of 31

“Adar”

H143

adar, the 12th hebrew month

וּשְׁלָלָ֖ם30 of 31

“and to take the spoil”

H7998

booty

לָבֽוֹז׃31 of 31

“of them for a prey”

H962

to plunder

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Esther. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Esther 3:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Esther 3:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 30:6Esther 9:101 Samuel 15:3Esther 8:10-14Romans 3:15James 2:13

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