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,
Wherein the king {H4428} granted {H5414} the Jews {H3064} which were in every city {H5892} to gather themselves together {H6950}, and to stand {H5975} for their life {H5315}, to destroy {H8045}, to slay {H2026}, and to cause to perish {H6}, all the power {H2428} of the people {H5971} and province {H4082} that would assault {H6696} them, both little ones {H2945} and women {H802}, and to take the spoil {H7998} of them for a prey {H962},
The letters said that the king had granted the Jews in every city the right "to assemble and defend their lives by destroying, killing and exterminating any forces of any people or province that would attack them, their little ones or their women or would try to seize their goods as plunder
By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to plunder their possessions.
wherein the king granted the Jews that 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, their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
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Esther 3:13
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. -
Psalms 37:14
The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, [and] to slay such as be of upright conversation. -
Psalms 37:15
Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. -
Psalms 146:6
Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein [is]: which keepeth truth for ever: -
Psalms 146:9
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. -
Ezekiel 39:10
So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down [any] out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD. -
Psalms 137:8
O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy [shall he be], that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
Context of Esther 8:11
Esther 8:11 describes a pivotal moment in the biblical book of Esther, marking a dramatic reversal of fortune for the Jewish people in the Persian Empire. Previously, Haman, a high-ranking official, had secured a royal decree from King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) to annihilate all Jews throughout the kingdom on a specific day. Through the courageous intervention of Queen Esther and the wisdom of Mordecai, Haman's plot was exposed. However, due to the unchangeable nature of Persian law, the original decree could not be revoked. Instead, a new edict was issued, granting the Jews the right to defend themselves, mirroring the terms of the original threat. This verse outlines the specific provisions of this counter-decree, empowering the Jews to protect their lives and families.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish" is a powerful and comprehensive triplet of verbs. It emphasizes the absolute and complete authority granted to the Jews to neutralize any threat. This strong language directly mirrors the terminology used in Haman's original decree (e.g., Esther 3:13), indicating that the Jews were given the same legal power to act defensively as their enemies had been given offensively. The inclusion of "little ones and women" in the context of the assailants further highlights the comprehensive nature of the self-defense granted, reflecting the severity of the original threat which also included these vulnerable groups.
Practical Application
Esther 8:11 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that even in seemingly hopeless situations, God is at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events for the good of His people. It encourages us to stand firm against injustice and oppression, trusting that God can turn curses into blessings and defeat the schemes of the wicked. While believers are called to peace, this passage illustrates that there are times when righteous self-defense is not only permissible but divinely sanctioned, particularly when facing threats to life and community. It reinforces the theme of divine faithfulness and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes over human malice.