Esther 9:12 kjv
And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.
Esther 9:12 nkjv
And the king said to Queen Esther, "The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the citadel, and the ten sons of Haman. What have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now what is your petition? It shall be granted to you. Or what is your further request? It shall be done."
Esther 9:12 niv
The king said to Queen Esther, "The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted."
Esther 9:12 esv
And the king said to Queen Esther, "In Susa the citadel the Jews have killed and destroyed 500 men and also the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces! Now what is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what further is your request? It shall be fulfilled."
Esther 9:12 nlt
he called for Queen Esther. He said, "The Jews have killed 500 men in the fortress of Susa alone, as well as Haman's ten sons. If they have done that here, what has happened in the rest of the provinces? But now, what more do you want? It will be granted to you; tell me and I will do it."
Esther 9 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 7:15-16 | He made a pit, and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made... | Divine justice: plotter caught in own trap. |
| Psa 9:16 | The Lord is known by the judgment He executes; The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. | Justice for the wicked and God's intervention. |
| Psa 37:14-15 | The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow... Their sword shall enter their own heart. | Reversal: Evil plans turn back on the wicked. |
| Psa 57:6 | They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down... they have fallen themselves. | Enemies caught in their own snare. |
| Est 4:14 | ...for if you remain completely silent... you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? | God's hidden providence and purpose for Esther. |
| Pro 21:1 | The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. | God's sovereign control over rulers' decisions. |
| Psa 76:10 | Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself. | God using even human wrath for His purposes. |
| Dan 6:8 | Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed... | Immutable nature of Persian decrees, key to Haman's plan and its reversal. |
| Rom 13:1-4 | For there is no authority except from God... For he is God's minister to you for good. | Authority of rulers divinely established. |
| Exod 14:30 | So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians. | Deliverance from national enemies by God's power. |
| Deut 28:7 | The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. | Promise of victory against those who oppose. |
| Isa 41:11-12 | "Behold, all who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced... shall be as nothing." | Ultimate defeat and non-existence of enemies. |
| Psa 21:2 | You have given him his heart's desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips. | Answered prayer and fulfilled petitions. |
| Psa 37:4 | Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. | God's granting of desires for the righteous. |
| John 15:7 | If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. | Power of asking in line with God's will. |
| Psa 37:28 | For the Lord loves justice... But the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off. | Divine judgment includes cutting off the wicked's lineage. |
| Psa 109:12-13 | Let there be none to extend mercy to him... Let his posterity be cut off... | Severe consequence for the wicked: complete end of descendants. |
| Psa 34:19-20 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. | Vindication and deliverance for those who trust God. |
| Psa 37:39-40 | But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. | God is the ultimate source of strength and salvation. |
| 1 Sam 2:7 | The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. | God's sovereignty over status and destiny. |
| Psa 75:7 | But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another. | God's power to abase the proud and exalt the humble. |
| Isa 3:10-11 | "Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them... Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him." | Contrast between destinies of the righteous and the wicked. |
| Rom 12:19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine..." | Context for self-defense: This was state-sanctioned protection, not personal vengeance. |
| Gen 50:20 | But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good... | God's ability to turn evil intentions for good. |
| Neh 4:14-15 | And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan... | Enemies' plots exposed and thwarted by God. |
Esther 9 verses
Esther 9 12 Meaning
The verse details King Ahasuerus's immediate awareness of the extensive self-defense actions taken by the Jews in Shushan, the capital. He informs Queen Esther that the Jewish people have successfully defeated five hundred men and notably eliminated the ten sons of Haman within the palace precincts. His subsequent question concerning the events in other provinces, followed by his open-ended invitation for any further petitions or requests from Esther, signals his continued royal backing and a willingness to grant her whatever is necessary to ensure the complete safety and security of her people. It dramatically illustrates the total reversal of Haman's malicious decree and the king's unwavering favor toward Esther.
Esther 9 12 Context
Esther chapter 9 marks the climax of the book's conflict, detailing the reversal of Haman's decree. The prior decree, issued by King Ahasuerus under Haman's malicious counsel, aimed at the annihilation of all Jews in the empire on the thirteenth day of Adar. However, due to Esther's courageous intercession and Mordecai's wisdom, a second decree was issued, empowering the Jews to gather, defend themselves, and destroy any who assaulted them on that very day. Verse 12 occurs after the first day of defensive action within Shushan itself, specifically highlighting the extensive defeat of those who intended to harm the Jewish people in the capital. The king, aware of the scale of this defensive triumph, now reports to Esther and opens the floor for further action. This interaction highlights the king's transformation from Haman's puppet to Esther's loyal and supportive ally, reflecting the profound shift in the royal court's stance towards the Jewish population.
Esther 9 12 Word analysis
- And the king said: (wa-yomer ha-melech וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ) Emphasizes the immediate, authoritative nature of the king's communication and his active involvement.
- unto Esther the queen: (el-Esther ha-Malkah אֶל-אֶסְתֵּר הַמַּלְכָּה) Reinforces Esther's elevated position and direct access to the monarch, highlighting her unique influence.
- The Jews have slain and destroyed: (ha-Yehudim hargu va-abed הַיְּהוּדִים הָרְגוּ וְאַבֵּד) "Slain" (killed) indicates direct action, while "destroyed" (utterly annihilated) signifies completeness and devastation, portraying a thorough removal of the threat.
- five hundred men: (chamesh me'ot ish חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ) A substantial figure, demonstrating the formidable opposition faced by the Jews in the capital and the scale of their successful self-defense.
- in Shushan the palace: (be-Shushan ha-birah בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה) Specifies the royal city and administrative center, emphasizing the threat and the success of the defense right in the seat of power.
- and the ten sons of Haman: (va-aseret b'nei Haman וַעֲשֶׂרֶת בְּנֵי הָמָן) Given distinct mention, highlighting the total eradication of Haman's lineage, symbolically sealing his complete defeat and preventing any future claims or revenge from his descendants.
- What have they done in the rest of the king's provinces?: (u-vi-sh'ar medinot ha-melech meh asu? וּבִשְׁאָר מְדִינוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ מֶה עָשׂוּ) This is not an accusatory question but one of astounded inquiry, implying the king's readiness to hear about the broader scope of their defensive victories and possibly to extend royal permission.
- now what is thy petition? and what is thy request further?: (u-mah she'elatekh? V'mah bakashatekh 'od? וּמַה שְּׁאֵלָתֵךְ? וּמַה בַּקָּשָׁתֵךְ עוֹד?) A reiterated expression of open-ended generosity, previously seen in the narrative, signifying the king's unwavering favor and preparedness to grant any subsequent or continued wishes. The word "further" implies there is still more the king is willing to do.
Esther 9 12 Bonus section
The repeated emphasis on Haman's ten sons throughout chapter 9 (here, and in verses 10, 13, 14, 25) underscores the completeness of Haman's downfall and the extinguishing of his entire male line. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the destruction of one's posterity was considered the ultimate curse and sign of utter disgrace. This served as a profound vindication for the Jewish people and a stark warning to any who would contemplate similar malicious plots against them. This incident, while demonstrating violent self-defense, is specifically authorized by royal decree as a means of survival against intended genocide, distinguishing it from lawless vengeance. It serves as a key theological lesson on God's sovereignty, where His invisible hand orchestrates events within a seemingly secular framework to protect His covenant people, even when His name is not directly invoked. This historic deliverance remains foundational to the observance of Purim.
Esther 9 12 Commentary
Esther 9:12 is a testament to the dramatic turnaround of events, showcasing the triumph of the Jewish people over their adversaries. King Ahasuerus's communication with Esther signifies not only his full awareness of the events but also his continued alliance and trust in her judgment. The specific mention of "five hundred men" and "the ten sons of Haman" highlights the decisiveness of the Jewish self-defense in the capital, dismantling the direct and immediate threats to their existence. The death of Haman's sons is particularly crucial, ensuring the utter and complete eradication of the plotter's legacy. The king's follow-up question regarding the other provinces, alongside his open offer for any further "petition" or "request," emphasizes his complete authorization and continued support for the Jews to secure their safety across the empire. This exchange is a powerful display of divine providence, where God, through Esther and Mordecai, completely overturned a genocidal plot, turning sorrow into joy and establishing the security of His people through the very governmental structures initially used to threaten them.