King James Version

What Does Esther 9:16 Mean?

Esther 9:16 in the King James Version says “But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had re...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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,”

Esther 9:16 · KJV

Context

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,

17

On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. of the same: Heb. in it

18

But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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, Throughout the provinces (outside Shushan), Jews defended themselves, killing 75,000 enemies. The large number demonstrates both the extent of antisemitism (75,000 attackers despite knowledge Jews had imperial authorization) and the comprehensive Jewish victory. The repeated phrase "but they laid not their hands on the prey" (third occurrence: v. 10, 15, 16) emphasizes that Jewish motive was survival, not enrichment. This restraint distinguished righteous defense from greedy violence. The phrase "had rest from their enemies" echoes conquest language (Joshua 21:44; 23:1), connecting this deliverance to Israel's earlier redemptive history.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 75,000 casualties throughout the provinces, combined with 800 in Shushan (v. 6, 15), totaled 75,800 enemies killed. These numbers indicate both widespread attacks on Jews and decisive Jewish victory. That 75,000 Persians attacked despite knowing Jews had royal authorization demonstrates deep-seated antisemitism and greed (hoping to plunder Jewish property despite the risk). The Jews' consistent refusal of plunder distinguished them from attackers and demonstrated righteousness. Historical precedent shows that civil conflicts in multi-ethnic empires could create enormous casualties. The rest from enemies fulfilled the promise that God would give His people rest from threats (Deuteronomy 12:10; Joshua 1:13).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the consistent refusal of plunder despite legal authorization demonstrate that righteousness requires purity of motive and restraint in victory?
  2. What does the 'rest from enemies' language teach about how God fulfills His covenant promises of protection across generations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וּשְׁאָ֣ר1 of 21

“But the other”

H7605

a remainder

הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים2 of 21

“Jews”

H3064

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

אֲשֶׁר֩3 of 21
H834

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

בִּמְדִינ֨וֹת4 of 21

“provinces”

H4082

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

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ5 of 21

“that were in the king's”

H4428

a king

נִקְהֲל֣וּ׀6 of 21

“gathered themselves together”

H6950

to convoke

וְעָמֹ֣ד7 of 21

“and stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עַל8 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נַפְשָׁ֗ם9 of 21

“for their lives”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וְנ֙וֹחַ֙10 of 21

“and had rest”

H5118

quiet

מֵאֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם11 of 21

“from their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

וְהָרֹג֙12 of 21

“and slew”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

בְּשֹׂ֣נְאֵיהֶ֔ם13 of 21

“of their foes”

H8130

to hate (personally)

חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה14 of 21

“and five”

H2568

five

וְשִׁבְעִ֖ים15 of 21

“seventy”

H7657

seventy

אָ֑לֶף16 of 21

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וּבַ֨בִּזָּ֔ה17 of 21

“on the prey”

H961

booty

לֹ֥א18 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָֽׁלְח֖וּ19 of 21

“but they laid”

H7971

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

אֶת20 of 21
H853

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

יָדָֽם׃21 of 21

“not their hands”

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

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 9:16 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 9:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 8:11Esther 9:2Leviticus 26:7-8

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