Esther 9:25

Authorized King James Version

But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבְבֹאָהּ֮
But when Esther came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#3
הַמֶּלֶךְ֒
the king
a king
#4
אָמַ֣ר
he commanded
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#6
הַסֵּ֔פֶר
by letters
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
#7
יָשׁ֞וּב
should return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#8
מַֽחֲשַׁבְתּ֧וֹ
device
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
#9
הָֽרָעָ֛ה
that his wicked
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#10
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
חָשַׁ֥ב
which he devised
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים
against the Jews
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
#14
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
רֹאשׁ֑וֹ
upon his own head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#16
וְתָל֥וּ
should be hanged
to suspend (especially to gibbet)
#17
אֹת֛וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
בָּנָ֖יו
and that he and his 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
#20
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
הָעֵֽץ׃
on the gallows
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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