King James Version

What Does Esther 8:9 Mean?

Esther 8:9 in the King James Version says “Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentiet... — study this verse from Esther chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

Esther 8:9 · KJV


Context

7

Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.

8

Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.

9

Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

10

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:

11

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,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. The counter-decree's details mirror the original decree's formality (3:12-14). Issued in Sivan (May-June), about two months after Haman's decree in Nisan (3:12), it gave Jews eight months to prepare for Adar 13. The comprehensive distribution—127 provinces, each in its own language, plus specific Jewish communication—ensured all parties knew Jews had imperial authorization for self-defense. The phrase "according to all that Mordecai commanded" shows his authority and wisdom directing the response. Providence positions the right leader with right knowledge at the right time.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The two-month gap between decrees allowed initial panic to subside while mobilizing response. Addressing the decree to Jews specifically "according to their writing and language" ensured clear communication to Jewish communities using Hebrew/Aramaic. The empire-wide distribution used the same administrative apparatus that issued Haman's decree, demonstrating how institutions can serve either evil or good depending on leadership. Archaeological evidence from Achaemenid Persia shows multilingual administration, with documents in various languages and scripts. This communication infrastructure, designed for efficient governance, became instrument of deliverance. The eight-month preparation time proved crucial for Jewish communities to organize defense.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the counter-decree's careful formality and comprehensive distribution demonstrate that effective justice requires systematic response matching systemic injustice's scope?
  2. What does the eight-month preparation time teach about God's providence providing adequate time to prepare for challenges ahead?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 43 words
וַיִּקָּֽרְא֣וּ1 of 43

called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

סֹפְרֵֽי2 of 43

scribes

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ3 of 43

Then were the king's

H4428

a king

בָּֽעֵת4 of 43

at that time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הַ֠הִיא5 of 43
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

חֹ֣דֶשׁ6 of 43

month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י7 of 43

in the third

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

הוּא8 of 43
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

חֹ֣דֶשׁ9 of 43

month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

סִיוָ֗ן10 of 43

Sivan

H5510

sivan, the third hebrew month

בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֣ה11 of 43

on the three

H7969

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

וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים12 of 43

and twentieth

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

בּוֹ֒13 of 43
H0
וַיִּכָּתֵ֣ב14 of 43

day thereof and it was written

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

כְּֽכָל15 of 43
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר16 of 43
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֣ה17 of 43

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

מָרְדֳּכַ֣י18 of 43

according to all that Mordecai

H4782

mordecai, an israelite

אֶל19 of 43
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים20 of 43

and to the Jews

H3064

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

וְאֶ֣ל21 of 43
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִֽים22 of 43

and to the lieutenants

H323

a satrap or governor of a main province (of persia)

וְהַפַּחוֹת֩23 of 43

and the deputies

H6346

a prefect (of a city or small district)

וְשָׂרֵ֨י24 of 43

and rulers

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וּמְדִינָה֙25 of 43

of the provinces

H4082

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀26 of 43
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מֵהֹ֣דּוּ27 of 43

which are from India

H1912

hodu (i.e., hindustan)

וְעַד28 of 43
H5704

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

כּ֗וּשׁ29 of 43

unto Ethiopia

H3568

cush (or ethiopia), the name of an israelite

שֶׁ֣בַע30 of 43

and seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים31 of 43

and twentieth

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וּמֵאָה֙32 of 43

an hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וּמְדִינָה֙33 of 43

of the provinces

H4082

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

וּמְדִינָה֙34 of 43

of the provinces

H4082

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

וּמְדִינָה֙35 of 43

of the provinces

H4082

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

כִּכְתָבָ֖ם36 of 43

according to the writing

H3791

something written, i.e., a writing, record or book

וָעָ֖ם37 of 43

thereof and unto every people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וָעָ֖ם38 of 43

thereof and unto every people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְכִלְשׁוֹנָֽם׃39 of 43

after their language

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

וְאֶ֨ל40 of 43
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים41 of 43

and to the Jews

H3064

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

כִּכְתָבָ֖ם42 of 43

according to the writing

H3791

something written, i.e., a writing, record or book

וְכִלְשׁוֹנָֽם׃43 of 43

after their language

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,


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 8:9 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 8:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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