Esther 8:9
Then 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקָּֽרְא֣וּ
called
H7121
וַיִּקָּֽרְא֣וּ
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 43
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
סֹפְרֵֽי
scribes
H5608
סֹפְרֵֽי
scribes
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
2 of 43
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
בָּֽעֵת
at that time
H6256
בָּֽעֵת
at that time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
4 of 43
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הַ֠הִיא
H1931
הַ֠הִיא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
5 of 43
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י
in the third
H7992
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י
in the third
Strong's:
H7992
Word #:
7 of 43
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
הוּא
H1931
הוּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 43
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֣ה
on the three
H7969
בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֣ה
on the three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
11 of 43
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
וַיִּכָּתֵ֣ב
day thereof and it was written
H3789
וַיִּכָּתֵ֣ב
day thereof and it was written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
14 of 43
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
כְּֽכָל
H3605
כְּֽכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 43
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 43
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים
and to the Jews
H3064
הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים
and to the Jews
Strong's:
H3064
Word #:
20 of 43
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
הָאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִֽים
and to the lieutenants
H323
הָאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִֽים
and to the lieutenants
Strong's:
H323
Word #:
22 of 43
a satrap or governor of a main province (of persia)
וְהַפַּחוֹת֩
and the deputies
H6346
וְהַפַּחוֹת֩
and the deputies
Strong's:
H6346
Word #:
23 of 43
a prefect (of a city or small district)
וּמְדִינָה֙
of the provinces
H4082
וּמְדִינָה֙
of the provinces
Strong's:
H4082
Word #:
25 of 43
properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
26 of 43
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
28 of 43
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
שֶׁ֣בַע
and seven
H7651
שֶׁ֣בַע
and seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
30 of 43
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
וּמֵאָה֙
an hundred
H3967
וּמֵאָה֙
an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
32 of 43
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
וּמְדִינָה֙
of the provinces
H4082
וּמְדִינָה֙
of the provinces
Strong's:
H4082
Word #:
33 of 43
properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
וּמְדִינָה֙
of the provinces
H4082
וּמְדִינָה֙
of the provinces
Strong's:
H4082
Word #:
34 of 43
properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
וּמְדִינָה֙
of the provinces
H4082
וּמְדִינָה֙
of the provinces
Strong's:
H4082
Word #:
35 of 43
properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
כִּכְתָבָ֖ם
according to the writing
H3791
כִּכְתָבָ֖ם
according to the writing
Strong's:
H3791
Word #:
36 of 43
something written, i.e., a writing, record or book
וָעָ֖ם
thereof and unto every people
H5971
וָעָ֖ם
thereof and unto every people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
37 of 43
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וָעָ֖ם
thereof and unto every people
H5971
וָעָ֖ם
thereof and unto every people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
38 of 43
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְכִלְשׁוֹנָֽם׃
after their language
H3956
וְכִלְשׁוֹנָֽם׃
after their language
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
39 of 43
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים
and to the Jews
H3064
הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים
and to the Jews
Strong's:
H3064
Word #:
41 of 43
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
Cross References
Esther 1:22For 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.Esther 1:1Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
Historical Context
The two-month gap between decrees allowed initial panic to subside while mobilizing response. Addressing the decree to Jews specifically "according to their writing and language" ensured clear communication to Jewish communities using Hebrew/Aramaic. The empire-wide distribution used the same administrative apparatus that issued Haman's decree, demonstrating how institutions can serve either evil or good depending on leadership. Archaeological evidence from Achaemenid Persia shows multilingual administration, with documents in various languages and scripts. This communication infrastructure, designed for efficient governance, became instrument of deliverance. The eight-month preparation time proved crucial for Jewish communities to organize defense.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the counter-decree's careful formality and comprehensive distribution demonstrate that effective justice requires systematic response matching systemic injustice's scope?
- What does the eight-month preparation time teach about God's providence providing adequate time to prepare for challenges ahead?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then 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. The counter-decree's details mirror the original decree's formality (3:12-14). Issued in Sivan (May-June), about two months after Haman's decree in Nisan (3:12), it gave Jews eight months to prepare for Adar 13. The comprehensive distribution—127 provinces, each in its own language, plus specific Jewish communication—ensured all parties knew Jews had imperial authorization for self-defense. The phrase "according to all that Mordecai commanded" shows his authority and wisdom directing the response. Providence positions the right leader with right knowledge at the right time.