13 And the letters H5612 were sent H7971 by H3027 posts H7323 into all the king's H4428 provinces, H4082 to destroy, H8045 to kill, H2026 and to cause to perish, H6 all Jews, H3064 both young H5288 and old, H2205 little children H2945 and women, H802 in one H259 day, H3117 even upon the thirteenth H7969 H6240 day of the twelfth H8147 H6240 month, H2320 which is the month H2320 Adar, H143 and to take the spoil H7998 of them for a prey. H962
So the posts H7323 went H3212 with the letters H107 from H3027 the king H4428 and his princes H8269 throughout all Israel H3478 and Judah, H3063 and according to the commandment H4687 of the king, H4428 saying, H559 Ye children H1121 of Israel, H3478 turn again H7725 unto the LORD H3068 God H430 of Abraham, H85 Isaac, H3327 and Israel, H3478 and he will return H7725 to the remnant H7604 of you, that are escaped H6413 out of the hand H3709 of the kings H4428 of Assyria. H804
And he wrote H3789 in the king H4428 Ahasuerus' H325 name, H8034 and sealed H2856 it with the king's H4428 ring, H2885 and sent H7971 letters H5612 by H3027 posts H7323 on horseback, H5483 and riders H7392 on mules, H7409 camels, H327 and young H1121 dromedaries: H7424 Wherein the king H4428 granted H5414 the Jews H3064 which were in every city H5892 to gather themselves together, H6950 and to stand H5975 for their life, H5315 to destroy, H8045 to slay, H2026 and to cause to perish, H6 all the power H2428 of the people H5971 and province H4082 that would assault H6696 them, both little ones H2945 and women, H802 and to take the spoil H7998 of them for a prey, H962 Upon one H259 day H3117 in all the provinces H4082 of king H4428 Ahasuerus, H325 namely, upon the thirteenth H7969 H6240 day of the twelfth H8147 H6240 month, H2320 which is the month H2320 Adar. H143 The copy H6572 of the writing H3791 for a commandment H1881 to be given H5414 in every province H4082 was published H1540 unto all people, H5971 and that the Jews H3064 should be ready H6264 H6259 against that day H3117 to avenge H5358 themselves on their enemies. H341 So the posts H7323 that rode H7392 upon mules H7409 and camels H327 went out, H3318 being hastened H926 and pressed on H1765 by the king's H4428 commandment. H1697 And the decree H1881 was given H5414 at Shushan H7800 the palace. H1002
And Nob, H5011 the city H5892 of the priests, H3548 smote H5221 he with the edge H6310 of the sword, H2719 both men H376 and women, H802 children H5768 and sucklings, H3243 and oxen, H7794 and asses, H2543 and sheep, H7716 with the edge H6310 of the sword. H2719
For we are sold, H4376 I and my people, H5971 to be destroyed, H8045 to be slain, H2026 and to perish. H6 But if H432 we had been sold H4376 for bondmen H5650 and bondwomen, H8198 I had held my tongue, H2790 although the enemy H6862 could not countervail H7737 the king's H4428 damage. H5143
Now my days H3117 are swifter H7043 than a post: H7323 they flee away, H1272 they see H7200 no good. H2896
I will send H7971 him against an hypocritical H2611 nation, H1471 and against the people H5971 of my wrath H5678 will I give him a charge, H6680 to take H7997 the spoil, H7998 and to take H962 the prey, H957 and to tread them down H7760 H4823 like the mire H2563 of the streets. H2351
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Esther 3
Commentary on Esther 3 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 3
A very black and mournful scene here opens, and which threatens the ruin of all the people of God. Were there not some such dark nights, the light of the morning would not be so welcome.
Est 3:1-6
Here we have,
Est 3:7-15
Haman values himself upon that bold and daring thought, which he fancied well became his great spirit, of destroying all the Jews-an undertaking worthy of its author, and which he promised himself would perpetuate his memory. He doubts not but to find desperate and bloody hands enough to cut all their throats if the king will but give him leave. How he obtained leave, and commission to do it, we are here told. He had the king's ear, let him alone to manage him.