Esther 9:6

KJV

And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in Shushan {H7800} the palace {H1002} the Jews {H3064} slew {H2026} and destroyed {H6} five {H2568} hundred {H3967} men {H376}.

Complete Jewish Bible

in Shushan the capital, the Jews slaughtered 500 men.

Berean Standard Bible

In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men,

American Standard Version

And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 9:6 details the decisive and comprehensive victory of the Jewish people over their adversaries within Shushan, the capital city of the Persian Empire, on the 13th day of Adar. This verse marks the culmination of a dramatic reversal of fortune, where a decree intended for their annihilation was transformed into a royal mandate for self-defense, resulting in the slaying of five hundred of their enemies in the very heart of the empire. It underscores the severity of the threat faced by the Jews and the magnitude of their divinely orchestrated deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Esther 9:6 is situated at the climax of the book's narrative arc, following the dramatic intercession of Queen Esther and the strategic wisdom of Mordecai. Haman's original genocidal decree, set to be executed on the 13th day of Adar, had plunged the Jewish communities throughout the Persian Empire into despair ([Esther 3:13](/esther/3-13 "Haman's Decree for Annihilation")). However, through Esther's courageous appeal, King Ahasuerus issued a counter-decree, empowering the Jews to assemble, defend themselves, and destroy any who assaulted them, along with their property ([Esther 8:11](/esther/8-11 "King Ahasuerus' Counter-Decree")). This verse describes the immediate and localized outcome of that counter-decree specifically within Shushan, the most critical and concentrated point of threat, setting the stage for the broader victories across the provinces and the subsequent establishment of the feast of Purim.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Esther 9:6 unfold within the vast Achaemenid Persian Empire (c. 550-330 BC), specifically in its winter capital, Shushan (Susa). Persian law, once issued, was irrevocable, necessitating a counter-decree rather than a revocation of Haman's original edict. The 13th of Adar was the date chosen by lot (Pur) for the Jews' destruction, making the events of this day a direct confrontation with the pre-ordained evil. The act of self-defense, sanctioned by the king, was a legal and necessary response to a widespread, state-sanctioned threat. The mention of "Shushan the palace" highlights the central and fortified nature of the location, indicating that even within the seat of imperial power, there were significant adversaries rising against the Jewish population.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent throughout the Book of Esther. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Reversal and Providence**, where what was intended for evil is dramatically turned for good. Though God is never explicitly named, His unseen hand is evident in the precise timing and outcome of events, echoing the principle found in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Words on God's Redemptive Plan"). The verse also highlights **Self-Defense and Justice**, as the Jews, empowered by royal decree, execute justice upon those who sought their unjust annihilation, demonstrating that God's people are not always passive victims. Furthermore, the explicit number "five hundred men" in the capital underscores the **Scale of the Threat and Magnitude of Deliverance**, revealing that the danger was not trivial but a substantial, organized attempt at genocide, making the Jewish victory all the more remarkable and a testament to their deliverance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slew (Hebrew, _harag'_):** This verb signifies "to kill, to slay," often in the context of battle or execution. Its use here emphasizes the direct, intentional, and lethal nature of the Jewish response to their attackers. It implies a decisive action taken against those who actively rose up to carry out the original decree of destruction.
* **Destroyed (Hebrew, _'abad'_):** This verb means "to perish, to be ruined, to cause to perish or destroy." When used in conjunction with "slew," it intensifies the meaning, indicating a complete and thorough neutralization of the threat. It suggests not merely killing, but utterly eliminating the capacity of the enemies to cause further harm, ensuring their demise was comprehensive and final.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in Shushan the palace":** This phrase precisely locates the action within the fortified royal city of Susa, the administrative and political heart of the Persian Empire. The significance of this location is paramount, as it was the very place where Haman's plot originated and where the king's decrees were issued. The fact that the Jews achieved such a decisive victory here underscores the complete reversal of power dynamics.
* **"the Jews":** The subjects of the action are the Jewish people, who, just days prior, were facing imminent annihilation. This highlights their transformation from potential victims to empowered defenders of their lives, acting under the full sanction of the king's counter-decree.
* **"slew and destroyed":** This dual verb construction emphasizes the thoroughness and decisiveness of the Jewish victory. It was not a mere skirmish but a complete and utter defeat of their adversaries, ensuring that the threat they posed was entirely neutralized. This action was a direct fulfillment of the right to self-defense granted by King Ahasuerus.
* **"five hundred men":** This specific number quantifies the extent of the victory within Shushan. It indicates a substantial number of enemies who had risen up against the Jews in the capital, validating the severity of the original threat and the magnitude of the deliverance experienced by the Jewish community in the most critical location.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Esther 9:6 is rich with **Irony** and **Reversal**. The most striking **Irony** is that the very day appointed for the destruction of the Jews (the 13th of Adar) became the day of their triumphant self-defense and the destruction of their enemies. This dramatic **Reversal** of fortune is a central theme throughout the book of Esther, where Haman's gallows are used for his own execution, Mordecai is honored instead of Haman, and the Jews are empowered instead of annihilated. This verse specifically highlights the physical manifestation of this reversal in the capital city, where those who sought to destroy the Jews were themselves destroyed, turning mourning into joy and fasting into feasting.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 9:6 stands as a powerful testament to God's providential care for His people, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned. It demonstrates that divine sovereignty is at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events to protect His covenant people and thwart the plans of their adversaries. The thoroughness of the victory in Shushan underscores the completeness of God's deliverance, turning a day of intended genocide into a day of triumph and justice. This event foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all opposing forces, ensuring that no weapon formed against His chosen people will ultimately prevail.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's Redemptive Purpose in Joseph's Life")
* [Psalm 7:16](/psalms/7-16 "The Wicked's Own Mischief")
* [Isaiah 54:17](/isaiah/54-17 "No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Prosper")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 9:6 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us that even in the face of overwhelming opposition and seemingly insurmountable threats, God's providential hand is at work. Just as the Jews were empowered to defend themselves against those who sought their destruction, believers are called to stand firm in their faith, trusting in God's ultimate victory over spiritual adversaries. This verse encourages us to recognize that God can turn the tables on those who devise evil, transforming situations of despair into opportunities for His glory and our deliverance. It calls us to courage in the face of spiritual warfare, knowing that our ultimate triumph is secured in Christ, and that while our battles are not physical, the assurance of God's protection remains. We are to be vigilant, prayerful, and steadfast, confident that God will ultimately vindicate His people and bring justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "reversal of fortune" in Esther 9:6 encourage your faith when facing seemingly impossible situations?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, "stand firm" and "defend ourselves" against spiritual adversaries today, without resorting to physical violence?**
* **How does the unmentioned yet evident hand of God in Esther strengthen your understanding of His providence in your own life?**

### FAQ
**Was the violence committed by the Jews in Esther 9:6 justified?**

Answer: The violence described in Esther 9:6, and throughout Esther 9, was a direct act of self-defense sanctioned by a royal decree. Haman's original edict called for the indiscriminate annihilation of all Jews throughout the Persian Empire on a specific day ([Esther 3:13](/esther/3-13 "Haman's Genocidal Decree")). In response, King Ahasuerus issued a counter-decree, granting the Jews the legal right to assemble, defend their lives, and destroy any armed groups who attacked them ([Esther 8:11](/esther/8-11 "The King's Counter-Decree Allowing Self-Defense")). Therefore, the actions taken by the Jews were not an act of aggression or revenge, but a necessary and legally authorized measure to protect themselves and their families from a genocidal plot. The text emphasizes that they acted only against "those who hated them" and "those who attacked them," not against the general population.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Esther 9:6 describes a physical deliverance and a temporal victory for the Jewish people, it ultimately points forward to the greater, spiritual deliverance accomplished by Jesus Christ. Just as the Jews faced an enemy bent on their destruction, humanity was enslaved by sin and death, with Satan as the ultimate adversary. The physical slaying and destruction of enemies in Shushan foreshadows Christ's decisive victory over spiritual foes. On the cross, Jesus, the true King, disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Powers and Authorities")). Through His death and resurrection, He destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and set free those who were held in slavery by their fear of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Jesus Destroying the Power of Death")). The victory in Shushan secured the physical survival of the lineage through which the Messiah would come; Christ's victory secures eternal life and spiritual freedom for all who believe, demonstrating the ultimate reversal of humanity's fate through the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John the Baptist Proclaims Jesus as the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Esther 3:15

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.