Esther 3:15

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

At the king's order the runners went out quickly, and the decree was issued in Shushan the capital. Then the king and Haman sat down for a drink together, but the city of Shushan was thrown into confusion.

Berean Standard Bible:

The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The posts^{H7323} went out^{H3318}, being hastened^{H1765} by the king's^{H4428} commandment^{H1697}, and the decree^{H1881} was given^{H5414} in Shushan^{H7800} the palace^{H1002}. And the king^{H4428} and Haman^{H2001} sat down^{H3427} to drink^{H8354}; but the city^{H5892} Shushan^{H7800} was perplexed^{H943}.

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Commentary for Esther 3:15

Esther 3:15 is a verse set within the biblical book of Esther, which recounts the story of a Jewish woman named Esther who becomes queen of Persia and thwarts a plan to commit genocide against her people. The historical context of the book is generally believed to be the Achaemenid Empire, during the reign of King Ahasuerus, traditionally identified with Xerxes I (reigned 486–465 BCE).

In this particular verse, the text describes the swift action taken after Haman, a high-ranking official in the king's court, convinces King Ahasuerus to issue a decree authorizing the annihilation of all Jews throughout the empire. The verse states, "The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace." This indicates that messengers were dispatched quickly to spread the edict across the vast Persian territory, with Shushan (Susa), the capital, being the starting point for this dire command.

The verse concludes with a stark contrast: "And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed." While the king and Haman, the architect of the genocidal plan, are depicted as casually drinking, oblivious or indifferent to the turmoil they have just unleashed, the city of Shushan is filled with confusion and dread. This juxtaposition highlights the gravity of the situation for the Jews and sets the stage for the subsequent events where Esther and her cousin Mordecai will work to reverse the decree and save their people.

The themes present in this verse include the precariousness of minority populations within an empire, the dangers of capricious rulers and courtly intrigue, and the silent anxiety of a community facing imminent threat. The narrative of Esther, including this verse, also underscores the courage and resourcefulness of individuals who, despite great personal risk, take a stand against injustice and oppression. The story of Esther is celebrated annually in the Jewish festival of Purim, which commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's plot.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7323
   There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּץ
   Transliteration: rûwts
   Pronunciation: roots
   Description: a primitive root; to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush); break down, divide speedily, footman, guard, bring hastily, (make) run (away, through), post.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1765
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּחַף
   Transliteration: dâchaph
   Pronunciation: daw-khaf'
   Description: a primitive root; to urge, i.e. hasten; (be) haste(-ned), pressed on.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1881
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּת
   Transliteration: dâth
   Pronunciation: dawth
   Description: of uncertain (perhaps foreign) derivation; a royal edict or statute; commandment, commission, decree, law, manner.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7800
   There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּשַׁן
   Transliteration: Shûwshan
   Pronunciation: shoo-shan'
   Description: the same as שׁוּשַׁן; Shushan, a place in Persia; Shushan.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1002
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בִּירָה
   Transliteration: bîyrâh
   Pronunciation: bee-raw'
   Description: of foreign origin; a castle or palace; palace.
   
10. Strong's Number: H2001
    There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: הָמָן
    Transliteration: Hâmân
    Pronunciation: haw-mawn'
    Description: of foreign derivation; Haman, a Persian vizier; Haman.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3427
    There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָשַׁב
    Transliteration: yâshab
    Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
    
12. Strong's Number: H8354
    There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁתָה
    Transliteration: shâthâh
    Pronunciation: shaw-thaw'
    Description: a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively); [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of שָׁקָה.)
    
13. Strong's Number: H5892
    There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עִיר
    Transliteration: ʻîyr
    Pronunciation: eer
    Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
    
14. Strong's Number: H943
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בּוּךְ
    Transliteration: bûwk
    Pronunciation: book
    Description: a primitive root; to involve (literally or figuratively); be entangled, (perplexed).