Esther 9:13

Authorized King James Version

Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֶסְתֵּר֙
Esther
ester, the jewish heroine
#3
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#4
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
the king
a king
#6
ט֔וֹב
If it please
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#7
יִנָּתֵ֣ן
let it be granted
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#8
גַּם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#9
מָחָ֗ר
to morrow
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
#10
לַיְּהוּדִים֙
to the Jews
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
#11
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
בְּשׁוּשָׁ֔ן
which are in Shushan
shushan, a place in persia
#13
לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת
to do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#14
כְּדָ֣ת
decree
a royal edict or statute
#15
הַיּ֑וֹם
also according unto this day's
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#16
וְאֵ֛ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת
ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#18
בְּנֵֽי
sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#19
הָמָ֖ן
and let Haman's
haman, a persian vizier
#20
יִתְל֥וּ
be hanged
to suspend (especially to gibbet)
#21
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#22
הָעֵֽץ׃
upon the gallows
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Esther, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Esther.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Esther Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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