Esther 9 11

Esther 9:11 kjv

On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.

Esther 9:11 nkjv

On that day the number of those who were killed in Shushan the citadel was brought to the king.

Esther 9:11 niv

The number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king that same day.

Esther 9:11 esv

That very day the number of those killed in Susa the citadel was reported to the king.

Esther 9:11 nlt

That very day, when the king was informed of the number of people killed in the fortress of Susa,

Esther 9 verses

Esther 9 11 Meaning

Esther 9:11 reports the precise outcome of the initial day of self-defense for the Jewish people within Susa, the capital city. Specifically, it states that the count of those hostile individuals slain in the citadel of Susa was officially presented to King Ahasuerus. This verse marks a crucial juncture, signifying the immediate completion of a phase of the conflict and providing essential information for the king's next decrees and the further development of the Purim narrative.

Esther 9 11 Context

Esther chapter 9 chronicles the events following the king's decree that permitted the Jewish people to defend themselves against those who sought to destroy them. The original decree, orchestrated by Haman, allowed for the annihilation of all Jews on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. However, through Esther and Mordecai's intercession, King Ahasuerus issued a counter-decree, empowering the Jews to protect their lives and destroy any who attacked them. Esther 9 details how the Jews, far from attacking unprovoked, rose in defense when their enemies attempted to carry out the first decree. This verse, 9:11, specifically isolates the report from Susa, the Persian capital. The focus on Susa is significant because it is the seat of royal power, and events there held greater symbolic and practical weight. The meticulous counting and immediate reporting to the king underscore the formal, official nature of these actions and prepare the narrative for Esther's subsequent requests concerning further action in Susa and the establishment of Purim.

Esther 9 11 Word analysis

• On that day: בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא (ba-yom ha-hu)

  • Meaning: Literally "in the day, the certain one" or "on that very day."
  • Significance: Emphasizes the immediacy and specific timing of the report. The king received the information without delay, suggesting either a pre-arranged communication or the critical importance of the events in the capital. This rapid feedback loop highlights the urgency of the situation and the efficiency of the Persian administrative system.

• the number: מִסְפַּר (mispar)

  • Meaning: Count, enumeration, specific quantity.
  • Significance: Points to a precise accounting. This was not a vague estimate but a confirmed tally, crucial for official records and subsequent royal decisions. Accuracy was paramount in Persian administration. It underscores the weight and finality of the casualties inflicted by the Jewish self-defense.

• of those killed: הֲרוּגֵי (harugey)

  • Meaning: Those who were slain, executed, killed in battle. From the root הָרַג (harag), "to kill, slay."
  • Significance: Denotes death by deliberate action, not accidental or natural causes. These were enemies who attacked the Jews, and were lawfully killed in self-defense according to the king's decree. This term reinforces the defensive yet lethal nature of the engagement.

• in Susa the citadel: שׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה (Shushan ha-bîrâh)

  • Meaning: Susa, the capital city (royal city/fortress).
  • Significance: Locates the specific area of conflict reported. Susa was the administrative and political center of the Persian Empire. The events here were critical due to the king's direct presence and the higher concentration of opposition. The "citadel" refers to the fortified complex containing the palace and government buildings, indicating the intense nature of the confrontation even within this protected core.

• was brought: הֻגַּד (hugad)

  • Meaning: Was told, declared, reported (Hophal stem, passive, from נָגַד nagad "to make known").
  • Significance: Indicates an official and formal communication. It implies that a designated messenger or official presented this information, giving it authoritative status rather than mere rumor. The passive voice suggests the focus is on the report itself, rather than who brought it.

• to the king: לַמֶּלֶךְ (lammelek)

  • Meaning: To the king (Ahasuerus).
  • Significance: The ultimate recipient of the report, the supreme authority. This direct channel of communication highlights the king's immediate involvement and decision-making power. It prepares the reader for the king's subsequent questions and decrees.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "On that day the number of those killed": This phrase emphasizes the precise and immediate accounting of casualties from a specific, intense conflict. It sets a factual, verifiable tone for the report given to the king.
  • "in Susa the citadel was brought to the king": This highlights the immediate communication to the central authority in the very heart of the empire. It shows that events in the capital received direct and swift royal attention, underlining the seriousness and official nature of the events.

Esther 9 11 Bonus section

The swiftness of the report (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא - "on that day") points to the well-oiled administrative machinery of the Persian Empire, which was renowned for its efficiency, especially in communication and record-keeping (e.g., postal system, royal scribes). This level of detail in reporting (numbers and specific location) was typical for a vast empire, ensuring that the central authority was fully informed for governance and future policy-making. Furthermore, the fact that this specific count (500) within Susa is presented separately before a grander report from the wider provinces, and indeed, before Esther's further request concerning Haman's sons, underscores the critical nature and immediate impact of events within the royal city itself, which bore a symbolic significance for the empire's stability.

Esther 9 11 Commentary

Esther 9:11 serves as a critical bridge between the description of the Jewish people's successful self-defense in Susa (Esther 9:6-10) and the king's subsequent response (Esther 9:12ff). The verse is remarkably concise yet packed with administrative detail. It highlights the formality and speed of information flow within the Persian bureaucracy, a contrast to Haman's initially unverified scheme. The specific mention of "Susa the citadel" indicates the importance of the capital, where royal power resided and where any significant disturbance required immediate report to the king. The act of "bringing the number" is crucial: it wasn't mere news, but a verified count, suggesting accountability and precision. This verifiable information enables the king to act decisively and underscores the effectiveness of the king's counter-decree. It's a testament to the Jewish people's restraint—they did not plunder despite the decree allowing it—which further legitimizes their actions in the king's eyes. The numerical specificity also sets the stage for further discussion of Purim, as this data would become part of the historical record that led to the annual celebration.