Esther 9:2
The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.
Original Language Analysis
הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים
The Jews
H3064
הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים
The Jews
Strong's:
H3064
Word #:
2 of 21
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
בְּעָֽרֵיהֶ֗ם
in their cities
H5892
בְּעָֽרֵיהֶ֗ם
in their cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְדִינוֹת֙
throughout all the provinces
H4082
מְדִינוֹת֙
throughout all the provinces
Strong's:
H4082
Word #:
5 of 21
properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
אֳחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ
Ahasuerus
H325
אֳחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ
Ahasuerus
Strong's:
H325
Word #:
7 of 21
achashverosh (i.e., ahasuerus or artaxerxes, but in this case xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a persian king
לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ
to lay
H7971
לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ
to lay
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
8 of 21
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יָ֔ד
hand
H3027
יָ֔ד
hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 21
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
בִּמְבַקְשֵׁ֖י
on such as sought
H1245
בִּמְבַקְשֵׁ֖י
on such as sought
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
10 of 21
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
וְאִישׁ֙
and no man
H376
וְאִישׁ֙
and no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 21
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָמַ֣ד
could withstand
H5975
עָמַ֣ד
could withstand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
14 of 21
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם
them
H6440
לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם
them
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָפַ֥ל
of them fell
H5307
נָפַ֥ל
of them fell
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
17 of 21
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
פַּחְדָּ֖ם
for the fear
H6343
פַּחְדָּ֖ם
for the fear
Strong's:
H6343
Word #:
18 of 21
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Esther 8:17And 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.Esther 8:11Wherein 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,Psalms 71:13Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.Psalms 71:24My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
Historical Context
The empire-wide nature of the conflict demonstrates both the dispersed Jewish population and the extent of antisemitism. Despite knowing Jews had royal authorization to defend themselves and that Mordecai now held Haman's former position, some Persians still attacked. Their defeat demonstrates that God's providence didn't merely create legal permission but ensured practical victory. Historical precedent shows that diaspora communities facing persecution sometimes achieved unexpected victories when authorities supported them or divine favor granted supernatural advantage. The Jews' victory on this day established Purim as perpetual celebration of deliverance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the fear falling upon the Jews' enemies demonstrate God's supernatural protection beyond human factors?
- What does this teach about how divine favor can create victory beyond natural capabilities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. Jews throughout the empire organized for defense, gathering in their cities to resist attackers. The phrase "no man could withstand them" indicates decisive victory—Jewish forces overwhelmed their enemies. The cause: "the fear of them fell upon all people." This "fear" (pachad, פַּחַד) echoes the fear that fell upon Israel's enemies during the Exodus (Exodus 15:14-16) and Conquest (Joshua 2:9-11). Divine favor creates inexplicable dread in enemies, ensuring victory beyond natural explanation. The fear derived partly from knowing the king and Mordecai supported the Jews (8:15-17; 9:3-4), but also from supernatural terror that accompanies God's protection of His people.