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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Esther 8:3–6

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.
Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,
And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king’s provinces:
For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

17 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 3

  1. 1 Samuel 25:24Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    24And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.

  2. 2 Kings 4:27Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    27And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

  3. Esther 3:8–15Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    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.

    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.

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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

  4. Esther 7:4Rank 4 from verse 3
    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.

  5. Hebrews 5:7Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

From verse 4

  1. Esther 5:2Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    2And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

  2. Esther 4:11Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    11All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

From verse 5

  1. Esther 7:3Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    3Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

  2. Esther 3:12–13Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    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.

    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.

  3. Esther 5:8Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    8If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

  4. 1 Samuel 20:29Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    29And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.

  5. Esther 2:17Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    17And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

From verse 6

  1. Esther 7:4Rank 1 from verse 6
    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.

  2. Romans 10:1Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    1BRETHREN, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

  3. Romans 9:2–3Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

    3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

  4. Esther 9:1Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    1NOW in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)

  5. Genesis 44:34Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    34For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 8:3

COMBINED MEANING

spake

↗

The past tense of speak: uttered or expressed words, addressed someone, or communicated a matter in words.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

yet

↗

1. Up to or at the present or stated time; still. 2. At some future time. 3. Nevertheless; however. 4. In addition; further.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

again

↗

Another time; once more; back to a former place or condition; or in return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

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

fell

↗

1. Came or went down; dropped, bowed, lay flat, collapsed, or lost an upright or raised place. 2. Was slain, died, was overthrown, or came under another's hand or power. 3. Came upon, seized, or affected someone or something, or entered a stated condition such as sickness, sleep, fear, lusting, or a trance. 4. Attacked or set upon. 5. Happened or came to pass. 6. Joined, yielded, went over, or departed from a person, side, office, or former standing. 7. Was assigned or determined by lot or portion. 8. As the present verb fell, to cut or bring down a tree or other standing thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

tears

↗

Drops of fluid shed from the eyes in weeping, grief, pain, or strong feeling.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

put

↗

To place, set, lay, appoint, bring into a condition, or cause to be.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

devised

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of devise, meaning to form, plan, purpose, design, or contrive in the mind; to arrange means or work for accomplishing an intended end, whether good or evil.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

against

↗

Opposed to, contrary to, facing, toward, or in contact with; in some settings, exposed to or ready for a stated time.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 8:4

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

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

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

held

↗

1. Kept or possessed. 2. Maintained. 3. Restrained. 4. Regarded or accounted.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sceptre

↗

Sense 1: A staff or rod representing royal authority. Sense 2: The ruling power it represents.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

toward

↗

1. In the direction of or in relation to. 2. Approaching. 3. Inclined or ready.

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

COMBINED MEANING

arose

↗

1. Rose, stood up, got up, or moved upward from a lower, lying, seated, fallen, or inactive position. 2. Began, emerged, appeared, came into being, or came forward. 3. Took action, intervened, or undertook the stated work. 4. Rose from death; returned to life.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 8:5

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

favour

↗

Sense 1: Goodwill, approval, acceptance, kindness, mercy, support, or beneficial regard. Sense 2: Pleasing appearance or charm. Sense 3: To regard, support, prefer, or treat kindly.

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

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

sight

↗

1. The act or power of seeing. 2. A thing seen, view, or appearance. 3. Presence or observation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

seem

↗

To appear, be regarded, or be fitting.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

right

↗

1. Correct, just, upright, proper, lawful, fitting, true, or due; also a rightful claim or authority. 2. The direction or side opposite the left. 3. Straight, favourable, skilful, or approved. 4. Very, quite, or fully.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

pleasing

↗

Sense 1: Giving pleasure or satisfaction; agreeable or gaining favour or approval. Sense 2: The act of gratifying or seeking to please.

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

COMBINED MEANING

eyes

↗

The bodily organs of sight; by extension, sight, attention, observation, perception, understanding, desire, judgment, estimation, favour, or the presence and view before which something occurs.

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

devised

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of devise, meaning to form, plan, purpose, design, or contrive in the mind; to arrange means or work for accomplishing an intended end, whether good or evil.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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

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

wrote

↗

Set down, recorded, composed, or communicated in writing; the past tense of write.

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

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 8:6

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

endure

↗

1. To continue, remain, last, or abide. 2. To bear, tolerate, withstand, or undergo. 3. To persevere without giving way.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

see

↗

Sense 1: To perceive or behold with the eyes or in a vision. Sense 2: To observe, examine, discover, ascertain, consider, understand, know, or recognize. Sense 3: To visit, meet, converse with, or be in the presence of. Sense 4: To experience, undergo, endure, or enjoy. Sense 5: To attend to, take care, ensure, or beware.

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

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

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

destruction

↗

The act, result, or state of destroying: ruin, overthrow, death, wasting, or that which brings ruin.

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

COMBINED MEANING

kindred

↗

1. Relatives or a family or clan connected by descent. 2. By extension, a people group of shared lineage.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

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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¶ And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.

Selected passage

4Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,

Selected passage

5And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king’s provinces:

Selected passage

6For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?

Selected passage

7¶ Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.

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