King James Version

What Does Esther 9:14 Mean?

Esther 9:14 in the King James Version says “And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.” — study this verse from Esther chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.”

Esther 9:14 · KJV

Context

12

And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.

13

Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. let Haman's: Heb. let men hang, etc

14

And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.

15

For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.

16

But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. The king's immediate compliance—"commanded it so to be done" (vayomer hamelekh l'he'asot ken, וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ לְהֵעָשׂוֹת כֵּן)—demonstrates Esther's complete influence over Ahasuerus. What began with Esther's fearful approach (4:11, 16) has resulted in the king granting her every request. The phrase emphasizes the king's authority making Esther's petition official royal policy.

The note that "the decree was given at Shushan" (vatinatein hadat b'Shushan, וַתִּנָּתֵן הַדָּת בְּשׁוּשָׁן) indicates formal legal authorization, not merely verbal permission. The word dat (דָּת) again emphasizes official decree status. This formalization mattered—it made the additional day's defensive actions legally authorized rather than potentially prosecutable violence. Persian bureaucratic culture required proper documentation even for actions the king verbally approved.

The execution of the decree—"they hanged Haman's ten sons" (vayitlu et-aseret b'nei-Haman, וַיִּתְלוּ אֶת־עֲשֶׂרֶת בְּנֵי־הָמָן)—completes the reversal. Haman's attempt to destroy Mordecai and all Jews results in his own family's destruction. The public display warns others while vindicating the Jewish community. The terse statement reflects the narrative's focus on facts rather than emotions—this is historical record, not glorification of violence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The second day of conflict in Shushan (Adar 14) resulted in 300 additional enemy casualties (v. 15), bringing the capital's total to 800—far more than any other single location. This concentration of opposition in Shushan likely reflected the capital's concentration of Haman's supporters, associates, and those who had invested in his agenda. Government centers often have vested interests in existing policies that other regions don't share.

The formal decree authorizing the additional day followed Persian legal requirements. Even when the king verbally approved Esther's request, official documentation was necessary for legal protection. This bureaucratic detail demonstrates the narrative's accuracy regarding Persian administrative culture. The Persepolis fortification tablets show similar patterns—verbal royal commands followed by written documentation for official implementation and archival purposes.

The public hanging of Haman's sons served pedagogical purposes in ancient justice systems. Without modern mass communication, visual displays of judgment communicated legal and moral lessons to populations. The bodies hanging where everyone could see warned against similar treason while demonstrating that royal justice executed what it decreed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the bureaucratic formality even in granting defensive rights teach about the importance of working through legitimate legal channels?
  2. What does the complete reversal of Haman's plans teach about the futility of fighting against God's purposes and people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 12

“commanded”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙2 of 12

“And the king”

H4428

a king

לְהֵֽעָשׂ֣וֹת3 of 12

“it so to be done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כֵּ֔ן4 of 12
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

וַתִּנָּתֵ֥ן5 of 12

“was given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

דָּ֖ת6 of 12

“and the decree”

H1881

a royal edict or statute

בְּשׁוּשָׁ֑ן7 of 12

“at Shushan”

H7800

shushan, a place in persia

וְאֵ֛ת8 of 12
H853

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

עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת9 of 12

“ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

בְּנֵֽי10 of 12

“sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הָמָ֖ן11 of 12

“Haman's”

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

תָּלֽוּ׃12 of 12

“and they hanged”

H8518

to suspend (especially to gibbet)

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 9:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Places in This Verse

SusaSettlement · Modern: Shush · 32.19°N, 48.26°E20 verses across 4 books
View all places in Esther 9 →

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