Esther 3 15

Esther 3:15 kjv

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.

Esther 3:15 nkjv

The couriers went out, hastened by the king's command; and the decree was proclaimed in Shushan the citadel. So the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed.

Esther 3:15 niv

The couriers went out, spurred on by the king's command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.

Esther 3:15 esv

The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was issued in Susa the citadel. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.

Esther 3:15 nlt

At the king's command, the decree went out by swift messengers, and it was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa fell into confusion.

Esther 3 verses

Esther 3 15 Meaning

Esther 3:15 describes the swift implementation of Haman's genocidal decree against the Jews throughout the Persian Empire, emanating from Shushan the palace. It highlights the efficiency with which the evil edict was dispatched, contrasted sharply with the bewilderment and distress that gripped the common citizens of Shushan upon its announcement. While the perpetrators were secure in their plan, the populace was left confused and dismayed by the unprovoked and arbitrary nature of the death sentence.

Esther 3 15 Context

Esther 3:15 is the culmination of Haman's plot conceived in the preceding verses. Having been elevated by King Ahasuerus and commanded that all should bow before him, Haman became enraged by Mordecai's steadfast refusal. His pride fueled a deep-seated hatred that escalated beyond Mordecai to encompass all Jewish people in the empire. Through deception and a massive bribe, Haman convinced the king to issue a decree authorizing the extermination of Jews on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (Adar). The verse thus describes the immediate action taken to disseminate this horrific, empire-wide death warrant from the royal capital. Historically, the Persian Empire was vast, and royal edicts, once issued and sealed, were legally binding and considered irrevocable, creating immense tension and dread once public.

Esther 3 15 Word analysis

• The posts (הָרָצִים - ha-ra'tsim):

  • Meaning: The runners, the couriers, the swift messengers.
  • Significance: These were not ordinary messengers but specially designated individuals or a corps known for their speed and efficiency, capable of rapidly delivering royal decrees across the vast Persian Empire. Their swift departure indicates the urgent and official nature of the command.

• went out (יָצְאוּ - yats'u):

  • Meaning: They departed, they went forth.
  • Significance: Implies immediate action and dispatch. There was no delay in putting the decree into motion. This underscores the unhindered execution of Haman's evil plan.

• hastened (בְּחִפָּזוֹן - biphzevon):

  • Meaning: With haste, in great urgency, with alarm.
  • Significance: Reinforces the swiftness. The entire operation was conducted with extreme expedition, suggesting the intensity of Haman's resolve and the gravity with which the king's commands were executed. The sense of "alarm" or "fright" might also subtly imply an ominous speed for such a destructive edict.

• by the king's commandment (בִּדְבַר הַמֶּלֶךְ - bidvar hammelech):

  • Meaning: By the word of the king, according to the king's decree.
  • Significance: This phrase highlights the ultimate authority behind the decree. King Ahasuerus's word was absolute law, binding across his dominion. This reinforces the terrifying finality of the edict and Haman's manipulation of that ultimate power.

• and the decree (וְהַדָּת - vehadath):

  • Meaning: And the law, the edict.
  • Significance: Dath refers to a royal edict or law, which was considered unchangeable in the Persian system (cf. Dan 6:8, Esth 8:8). This means the order for extermination was now an unalterable imperial statute.

• was given at Shushan the palace (נִתְּנָה בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה - nitt'nah b'shushan habbirah):

  • Meaning: It was issued/published in Shushan the capital/citadel.
  • Significance: Shushan was the primary royal residence and administrative capital of the Persian Empire. This signifies that the order originated from the very heart of power, adding to its legitimacy and reach. The contrast between the central power and the city's reaction becomes vital.

• and the city Shushan (וְהָעִיר שׁוּשָׁן - veha'ir shushan):

  • Meaning: And the city of Shushan (the populace, the citizens, distinct from the palace where the decree originated).
  • Significance: Differentiates the seat of power (the palace) from the broader population of the capital city. It refers to the common people residing there.

• was perplexed (נָבוֹךְ - navokh):

  • Meaning: Confused, bewildered, dismayed, distressed, astounded, in a quandary.
  • Significance: This is a crucial term. Unlike Haman and the king, who drank in celebratory comfort, the general populace of Shushan was not joyful or even indifferent. They were navokh – not just confused, but genuinely distressed and shocked. Such a violent, sweeping, and seemingly unprovoked decree against an entire group of people was bewildering and disturbing, unsettling the social order and common sense of justice. It indicates that the injustice was palpable even to those not directly targeted, signifying a disruption of peace and order in the city.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "The posts went out, hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given at Shushan the palace": This clause highlights the bureaucratic efficiency and absolute authority of the Persian Empire. An evil, genocidal decree was not only signed but immediately, formally, and speedily disseminated from the very heart of the empire. This efficiency in executing wickedness paints a chilling picture of unbridled power without moral restraint, illustrating how destructive human will, once given free rein, can be.
  • "and the city Shushan was perplexed": This stands in stark contrast to the preceding phrase. While Haman and Ahasuerus revel (implied from the second part of 3:15, "and the king and Haman sat down to drink"), the citizens of the capital city are plunged into confusion and dismay. This highlights the inherent evil and irrationality of the decree, as even the non-Jewish populace found it disturbing. It shows that injustice and impending widespread violence are not welcomed by all, leading to social disruption and fear within the empire's core.

Esther 3 15 Bonus section

• The deliberate juxtaposition of Haman and the king drinking with the city's bewilderment (the second part of the Hebrew verse reads: "and the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed") accentuates the moral bankruptcy of the perpetrators against the common decency of the people. This is a powerful rhetorical device emphasizing the detachment of absolute power from its destructive consequences.
• The word navokh (perplexed) is often used in the Old Testament to describe being "at a loss" or "confused" when confronted with a difficult or impossible situation, sometimes leading to distress. It reflects the community's sudden understanding that their normal life and sense of security were deeply threatened by an arbitrary and cruel ruling, impacting the entire fabric of the capital city, not just the Jewish residents.

Esther 3 15 Commentary

Esther 3:15 provides a stark and poignant contrast, encapsulating the essence of the escalating conflict. The first half describes the cold, efficient machinery of the Persian Empire: messengers dispatched at breakneck speed, driven by the king's unimpeachable command, ensuring the swift and wide promulgation of Haman's cruel edict. The efficiency is chilling; an entire people group is condemned, and the system ensures the message reaches every corner without delay, signifying the devastating potential of centralized power when wielded for malice.

The latter half, "and the city Shushan was perplexed," is profoundly significant. It captures the initial reaction of the broader population, indicating a sense of bewilderment, fear, and dismay, rather than joy or indifference. This points to the unsettling and unjust nature of the decree. Even non-Jewish citizens perceived the decree as an anomaly, an unprovoked assault on an innocent population that disrupted the social fabric and common peace. It highlights the heartlessness of Haman's plot and King Ahasuerus's careless approval, as their celebration contrasts with the city's deep consternation. This verse serves as a turning point, marking the moment Haman's wicked plan moves from conception to active implementation, unleashing chaos and fear, setting the stage for divine intervention.