Esther 8 13

Esther 8:13 kjv

The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

Esther 8:13 nkjv

A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province and published for all people, so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

Esther 8:13 niv

A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

Esther 8:13 esv

A copy of what was written was to be issued as a decree in every province, being publicly displayed to all peoples, and the Jews were to be ready on that day to take vengeance on their enemies.

Esther 8:13 nlt

A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that the Jews would be ready to take revenge on their enemies on the appointed day.

Esther 8 verses

Esther 8 13 Meaning

Esther chapter 8, verse 13 reveals that the new royal decree, countering Haman's original genocidal edict, was to be publicly issued as an authoritative law throughout the Persian Empire. This widespread proclamation ensured that all peoples, including potential attackers, were aware that the Jews were now legally empowered and prepared to defend themselves and take defensive action against any who would attempt to harm them on the appointed day. It transformed the Jews from condemned victims to legally authorized protectors of their own lives and heritage.

Esther 8 13 Context

Esther 8:13 directly follows Mordecai and Esther's urgent plea to King Ahasuerus after Haman's decree mandated the annihilation of all Jews throughout the Persian Empire on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. Since a Persian law, once written and sealed with the king's signet ring, could not be revoked (Esth 1:19; 8:8), Mordecai drafted a new decree. This second decree, sanctioned by the king, did not cancel the first but counteracted its effects by granting the Jews the legal right to assemble, defend themselves, and destroy anyone who attacked them or plundered their property on that same fateful day. This verse specifically details the vital step of publicizing this crucial new law, ensuring its authority and reach across all 127 provinces, thereby transforming the context for the Jews from imminent slaughter to legitimate self-defense and the authorization to punish their aggressors.

Esther 8 13 Word analysis

• A copy (פַּתְשֶׁ֧גֶן - patshegen): Refers to a precise, authorized duplicate of the official decree. Not just any copy, but one carrying full legal weight and authenticity, akin to a certified legal document, enabling widespread distribution without loss of authority.
• of the document: Signifies the formal written edict itself, prepared and sealed with royal authority. This was a direct, actionable legal instrument.
• to be issued as law (דָּת֙ לְהָשִׂים֙ - dat lehasim): Meaning "to set as a decree" or "to establish as law." This denotes that the content of the copy gained the full force and binding power of a royal statute. It established a new legal framework allowing Jewish self-preservation.
• in every province: Emphasizes the universal application across the vast Persian Empire's 127 provinces, ensuring that Jews in all regions were covered by this protective edict.
• being publicly proclaimed (נִגְלֶה - nigleh): Implies being "revealed," "made manifest," or "brought into view." It highlights the requirement for widespread, open declaration, making sure no one could claim ignorance of the new directive. This open proclamation served as a warning to potential aggressors.
• to all peoples (הָֽעַמִּֽים - ha'amim): Stresses the imperial scope, reaching every nationality and ethnic group within the empire, not just the Jewish populace. This was vital for deterrence.
• so that: Connects the preceding action (proclamation) with its ultimate purpose.
• the Jews might be ready (נְכוֹנִ֣ים - nekonim): "Ready" implies prepared, established, firm, or steadfast. It means they should be organized, equipped, and mentally prepared to take necessary actions. This contrasts sharply with their earlier state of fear and despair.
• for that day: Refers to the specific thirteenth day of Adar, originally appointed by Haman for their destruction. The new decree inverted the meaning of this day for the Jews.
• to take vengeance (לְהִנָּקֵ֥ם - lehinnakem): This Hebrew term means "to avenge oneself," "to exact retribution," or "to punish." In this specific context, it is state-sanctioned defensive retribution against those who initiated aggression. It is a legal right to counteract the intended evil, not merely personal revenge. This form of "vengeance" aligns with justice dispensed by an authorized authority (like the king or his agents), much like how civil authorities "bear not the sword in vain" (Rom 13:4) to punish evildoers.
• on their enemies (בְּאֹיְבֵיהֶֽם - be'oyveihem): Clearly identifies the target of the authorized action as those hostile parties who would attempt to execute Haman's original decree and rise against the Jewish people.

• "A copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province": This phrase highlights the critical legal and administrative effectiveness of the counter-decree. It underscores that despite the irrevocability of Persian law, a new, equally valid law could be introduced that provided a legal right to self-defense, effectively neutralizing the original threat within the existing legal framework.
• "being publicly proclaimed to all peoples": This emphasizes the absolute necessity of broad dissemination for such a law to be effective. Transparency was crucial; everyone needed to know that the Jews now had the legal backing of the king. It was a clear message to would-be attackers: proceed at your own peril.
• "so that the Jews might be ready for that day to take vengeance on their enemies": This pivotal segment reveals the decree's objective: empowering the Jewish people to shift from a posture of despair and intended victimhood to one of organized, authorized, and defensive action. "Ready" conveys preparation and readiness for battle, while "take vengeance" signifies the legitimate exercise of defensive force, sanctioned by the crown, against those who had declared war on them. This was a state-authorized retribution against aggressors.

Esther 8 13 Bonus section

The "vengeance" mentioned in Esther 8:13, while striking to modern ears, is distinct from personal revenge. In its original context, it represents a king-sanctioned, authorized act of justice and self-preservation for a specific group of people targeted for extermination. It aligns with the biblical understanding that governing authorities "bear not the sword in vain" (Rom 13:4) but are "ministers of God, avengers who carry out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." The very purpose of this law was not to initiate an offensive, but to allow a legal response to a pre-existing declaration of genocide. This verse further sets the stage for the celebration of Purim, as the reversal of fate and the ensuing triumph required the practical steps outlined here for the Jews to secure their physical survival.

Esther 8 13 Commentary

Esther 8:13 is a testament to the ingenious solution forged by Mordecai and Esther under divine guidance to circumvent a fatal, unchangeable Persian law. This verse marks the profound shift in the Jews' legal status and prospective fate. By proclaiming the new decree empire-wide, King Ahasuerus gave legitimate authorization for the Jews to defend their lives against the declared assault. This wasn't merely permission to fight back, but an official empowerment to take righteous retribution against those who would rise against them, thereby turning the tables on their adversaries. The explicit proclamation "to all peoples" ensured clarity for the Jews, warning for their enemies, and validation of the king's word throughout his vast dominion. It reveals the meticulous providence of God working through secular channels and human ingenuity to secure the deliverance of His covenant people.