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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Esther 3:9–13

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.
And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring.
And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 31 ranked passages are available for comparison.

From verse 9

  1. Genesis 23:16Rank 1 from verse 9
    Open

    16And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.

  2. Matthew 18:24Rank 2 from verse 9
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    24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

From verse 10

  1. Genesis 41:42Rank 1 from verse 10
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    42And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

  2. Esther 8:2Rank 2 from verse 10
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    2And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

  3. Esther 7:6Rank 3 from verse 10
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    6And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

  4. Esther 3:1Rank 4 from verse 10
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    1AFTER these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.

  5. Esther 8:8Rank 5 from verse 10
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    8Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.

From verse 11

  1. Jeremiah 26:14Rank 1 from verse 11
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    14As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.

  2. Jeremiah 40:4Rank 2 from verse 11
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    4And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.

  3. Luke 23:25Rank 3 from verse 11
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    25And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

  4. Psalms 73:7Rank 4 from verse 11
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    7Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

From verse 12

  1. 1 Kings 21:8Rank 1 from verse 12
    Open

    8So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.

  2. Esther 1:22Rank 2 from verse 12
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    22For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.

  3. Daniel 6:12Rank 3 from verse 12
    Open

    12Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

  4. Daniel 6:15Rank 4 from verse 12
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    15Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

  5. Daniel 6:8Rank 5 from verse 12
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    8Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

  6. Esther 8:2Rank 6 from verse 12
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    2And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

  7. Esther 8:8–17Rank 7 from verse 12
    Open

    8Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.

    9Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

    10And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:

    11Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,

    12Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

    13The 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.

    14So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.

    15¶ And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

    16The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

    17And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

  8. Esther 9:27Rank 8 from verse 12
    Open

    27The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;

  9. Ezra 8:36Rank 9 from verse 12
    Open

    36¶ And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.

From verse 13

  1. 2 Chronicles 30:6Rank 1 from verse 13
    Open

    6So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.

  2. Esther 9:10Rank 2 from verse 13
    Open

    10The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.

  3. 1 Samuel 15:3Rank 3 from verse 13
    Open

    3Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

  4. Esther 8:10–14Rank 4 from verse 13
    Open

    10And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:

    11Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,

    12Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

    13The 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.

    14So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.

  5. 1 Samuel 22:19Rank 5 from verse 13
    Open

    19And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.

  6. Esther 7:4Rank 6 from verse 13
    Open

    4For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.

  7. Isaiah 10:6Rank 7 from verse 13
    Open

    6I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

  8. James 2:13Rank 8 from verse 13
    Open

    13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

  9. Jeremiah 51:31Rank 9 from verse 13
    Open

    31One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,

  10. Job 9:25Rank 10 from verse 13
    Open

    25Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

  11. Romans 3:15Rank 11 from verse 13
    Open

    15Their feet are swift to shed blood:

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 3:9

COMBINED MEANING

please

↗

Sense 1: To give pleasure or satisfaction to; to be agreeable or acceptable to; to gratify. Sense 2: To choose, desire, will, or see fit.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

written

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

destroyed

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of destroy. Sense 1: Ruined, demolished, consumed, or laid waste. Sense 2: Killed or cut off. Sense 3: Caused a thing's structure, use, activity, or present condition to cease.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

pay

↗

To discharge a debt or obligation; to render what is due, fulfill a promise, reward, or recompense.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

silver

↗

A precious white metal used for money, vessels, ornaments, images, trade, valuation, and refining; by extension, money or wealth reckoned in that metal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

charge

↗

Sense 1: To command, enjoin, or solemnly require; a command or injunction. Sense 2: A duty, trust, care, oversight, or a person or thing entrusted. Sense 3: To impute or accuse; an accusation or liability imputed. Sense 4: To impose a burden, payment, or obligation; a cost or expense. Sense 5: To entrust with or make responsible for a person, duty, or burden.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 3:10

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ring

↗

Sense 1: A circular band or ornament. Sense 2: A circular space or company.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hand

↗

Sense 1: The part of the body at the end of the arm. Sense 2: Figuratively, power, possession, aid, or agency.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

gave

↗

1. Bestowed, delivered, or granted. 2. Caused or appointed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 3:11

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

silver

↗

A precious white metal used for money, vessels, ornaments, images, trade, valuation, and refining; by extension, money or wealth reckoned in that metal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

seemeth

↗

Third-person singular present form of seem, meaning to appear, be regarded, or be fitting.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 3:12

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

called

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of call. Sense 1: To name. Sense 2: To summon or invite. Sense 3: To proclaim or address. Sense 4: To request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

day

↗

Sense 1: Light or the period of light between morning and evening, as distinguished from night. Sense 2: A complete daily cycle. Sense 3: A specified time, occasion, period, age, or season.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

written

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

language

↗

1. An ordered form of speech and words used and understood by a people. 2. A particular tongue, vocabulary, or manner of expression. 3. A people or group sharing a language.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

name

↗

Sense 1: A word, appellation, or designation by which a person or thing is called or known. Sense 2: The person or persons named or represented. Sense 3: Reputation, character, renown, or remembrance. Sense 4: The authority, behalf, or standing represented by a name. Sense 5: As a verb, to call, designate, or mention by name.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

sealed

↗

Closed, secured, authenticated, confirmed, ratified, or marked as belonging to someone.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ring

↗

Sense 1: A circular band or ornament. Sense 2: A circular space or company.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 3:13

COMBINED MEANING

posts

↗

Sense 1: Upright supports or doorposts. Sense 2: Messengers or couriers sent swiftly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

destroy

↗

Sense 1: To ruin, demolish, consume, or lay waste. Sense 2: To kill or cut off. Sense 3: To cause a thing's structure, use, activity, or present condition to cease.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cause

↗

Sense 1: A reason, ground, matter in dispute, or judicial case. Sense 2: As a verb, to make something happen.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

perish

↗

Sense 1: Of a living person or creature, to die, be killed, be destroyed, or be lost. Sense 2: Of a thing, condition, plan, thought, or work, to be ruined, decay, fail, vanish, or come to nothing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

young

↗

1. Early in life or growth. 2. Offspring or young persons or creatures.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

old

↗

1. Advanced in age or existing for a long time. 2. Of the stated or specified age. 3. Ancient, former, previous, or worn.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

day

↗

Sense 1: Light or the period of light between morning and evening, as distinguished from night. Sense 2: A complete daily cycle. Sense 3: A specified time, occasion, period, age, or season.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Adar

↗

Sense 1: Adar, the twelfth month named in Ezra and Esther. Sense 2: The place Adar and the final component of Ataroth-adar in Joshua.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

take

↗

To receive, seize, carry, accept, choose, or lay hold of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

spoil

↗

Sense 1: Goods or captives taken from an enemy. Sense 2: As a verb, to plunder, rob, strip, ruin, or deprive of what is possessed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

prey

↗

1. A person, animal, possession, or spoil seized or pursued to be taken, plundered, or devoured. 2. To seize, plunder, or take by force.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Esther 3:8–15

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

3:8¶ And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.

3:9If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.

Selected passage

3:10And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.

Selected passage

3:11And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

Selected passage

3:12Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring.

Selected passage

3:13And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

Selected passage

3:14The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

3:15The 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.

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