Esther 3:13
"And 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."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And the letters were sent by post into all the king's provinces,.... Or by the runners (x); by which it seems as if these letters were carried by running footmen, men swift of foot; or rather they were running horses, on which men rode post with letters, and which the Persians called Angari; a scheme

invented by Cyrus, for the quick dispatch of letters from place to place, by fixing horses and men to ride them at a proper distance, to receive letters one from another, and who rode night and day (y), as our mail men do now; and nothing could be swifter, or done with greater speed; neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor night, could stop their course, we are told (z): the purport of these letters was: 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; see Est 3:7 . The orders were to destroy, by any means whatsoever, all the Jews, of every age and sex, all in one day, in all the provinces which are here named, that they might be cut off with one blow: and to take the spoil of them for a prey; to be their own booty; which was proposed to engage them in this barbarous work, to encourage them in it to use the greater severity and dispatch. (x) "in manu cursorum", Montanus; so the Tigurine version, Drusius, V. L. Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. (y) Xenophon. Cyropaedia, l. 8. c. 43. (z) Herodot. Urania, sive, l. 8. c. 98.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (31 words)

H7971 שָׁלַח
Definition:

18 +; Aramaicשְׁלַךְ,, SoBuhlBaEs 41compare Arabic(r = l),send forth, drivecattle to pasture,send messenger, etc., but then different √ for I.שֶׁלַךְ, Arabic,weapon; Assyrian probablyšalû(send, hurl?) 18 +; Aramaicשְׁלַךְ,, SoBuhlBaEs 41compare Arabic(r = l),send forth, drivecattle to pasture,send messenger, etc., but then different √ for I.שֶׁלַךְ, Arabic,weapon; Assyrian probablyšalû(send, hurl?)

H5612 סֵפֶר
Definition:

11missive, document, writing, book(probably ancient loan-word from Assyrianšipru,missive,messageDlHWB 683, Tel Amarnašipru, šipirtu,id.WklTA Gloss; √šâpâru, send, send message or letterDlHWB 683, Wkll 11missive, document, writing, book(probably ancient loan-word from Assyrianšipru,missive,messageDlHWB 683, Tel Amarnašipru, šipirtu,id.WklTA Gloss; √šâpâru, send, send message or letterDlHWB 683, Wkll

Possible Meanings:
  • secretary (semantic_range)
  • scribe (semantic_range)
H3027 יָד
Definition:

26+ often (masculineExodus 17:12see Di; onיִרְמּוּ יָדַיִם2 Samuel 4:1;Zephaniah 3:16; 2Chronicles 15:7;Nehemiah 6:9, see Ges§ 145, 7 a, R. 1)hand(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיְדָא,; ZinjirliידDHMSendsch.G 26+ often (masculineExodus 17:12see Di; onיִרְמּוּ יָדַיִם2 Samuel 4:1;Zephaniah 3:16; 2Chronicles 15:7;Nehemiah 6:9, see Ges§ 145, 7 a, R. 1)hand(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיְדָא,; ZinjirliידDHMSendsch.G

Possible Meanings:
  • power (semantic_range)
H7323 רוּץ
Definition:

7; 2masculine singularרַצְתָּהJeremiah 12:5, etc.;ImperfectיָרוּץHabakkuk 2:2+,יָרֻץJob 16:14,וַיָּ֫רָץGenesis 18:2+,וַיָּר֑ץ2 Samuel 18:21.; 1singular suffixארוצםJeremiah 50:44Kt (but < Qr. Hiph`il, 7; 2masculine singularרַצְתָּהJeremiah 12:5, etc.;ImperfectיָרוּץHabakkuk 2:2+,יָרֻץJob 16:14,וַיָּ֫רָץGenesis 18:2+,וַיָּר֑ץ2 Samuel 18:21.; 1singular suffixארוצםJeremiah 50:44Kt (but < Qr. Hiph`il,

Possible Meanings:
  • run (semantic_range)
  • run (semantic_range)
  • the runners (semantic_range)
  • out-runners (semantic_range)
  • runner (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H4082 מְדִינָה
Definition:

128t.; pluralמְדִינוֺת1 Kings 20:1423t.; — a district of an empire,1districts of realm of Ahab withשׂריםover them1 Kings 20:14,15,17,19.2of the Babylonian empire:Ezekiel 19:8;Daniel 8:2(of Elam);שָׂרָ 128t.; pluralמְדִינוֺת1 Kings 20:1423t.; — a district of an empire,1districts of realm of Ahab withשׂריםover them1 Kings 20:14,15,17,19.2of the Babylonian empire:Ezekiel 19:8;Daniel 8:2(of Elam);שָׂרָ

Possible Meanings:
  • province (semantic_range)
H4428 מֶלֶךְ
Definition:

4המלכן; Phoenicianמלך; ZinjirliמלךDHMSendsch. 60; Assyrianmaliku,malku,prince(Assyrianšarru=king); Arabicking(original Hebrew *מַלִחinferred, LagBN 73BaNB § 112WMMAs. u. Europ.76); SabeanמלכןSabDenkmN 4המלכן; Phoenicianמלך; ZinjirliמלךDHMSendsch. 60; Assyrianmaliku,malku,prince(Assyrianšarru=king); Arabicking(original Hebrew *מַלִחinferred, LagBN 73BaNB § 112WMMAs. u. Europ.76); SabeanמלכןSabDenkmN

Possible Meanings:
  • counsel (semantic_range)
  • advice (semantic_range)
H8045 שָׁמַד
Definition:

12+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשָּׁמֵIsaiah 48:19;Proverbs 14:11; 2masculine pluralתִּשָּׁמֵד֑וּןDeuteronomy 4:26;InfinitiveabsoluteהִשָּׁמֵדDeuteronomy 4:26; construct suffixהִשָּׁמֶדְךָDeut 12+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשָּׁמֵIsaiah 48:19;Proverbs 14:11; 2masculine pluralתִּשָּׁמֵד֑וּןDeuteronomy 4:26;InfinitiveabsoluteהִשָּׁמֵדDeuteronomy 4:26; construct suffixהִשָּׁמֶדְךָDeut

Possible Meanings:
  • destroy (semantic_range)
H2026 הָרַג
Definition:

244t.,הָרָ֑ג2 Samuel 14:72t.,וְהָרַגconsecutiveIsaiah 27:1; suffixוַהֲרָגָ֑נִיconsecutive1 Samuel 16:22t.;הֲרָגוֺGenesis 4:25; etc.;ImperfectיַהֲרֹגPsalm 10:84t.;יַהֲרָגֿJob 5:2;וַיַּהֲרֹגExodus 13:15 244t.,הָרָ֑ג2 Samuel 14:72t.,וְהָרַגconsecutiveIsaiah 27:1; suffixוַהֲרָגָ֑נִיconsecutive1 Samuel 16:22t.;הֲרָגוֺGenesis 4:25; etc.;ImperfectיַהֲרֹגPsalm 10:84t.;יַהֲרָגֿJob 5:2;וַיַּהֲרֹגExodus 13:15

Possible Meanings:
  • slaughter (semantic_range)
H0006 אָבַד
Definition:

30+;אָֽבְדוּPsalm 10:16+ (+Ezekiel 6:3ᵐ5Co) etc.;ImperfectיאֹבַדJob 3:3;Jeremiah 4:9;יאֹבֵ֑דּJob 20:72t.; 3 feminine singularתּאֹבַדDeuteronomy 22:34t.;תּאֹבֵ֑דJob 8:133t.;יאֹבְדוּJudges 5:313t.;יאֹבֵ 30+;אָֽבְדוּPsalm 10:16+ (+Ezekiel 6:3ᵐ5Co) etc.;ImperfectיאֹבַדJob 3:3;Jeremiah 4:9;יאֹבֵ֑דּJob 20:72t.; 3 feminine singularתּאֹבַדDeuteronomy 22:34t.;תּאֹבֵ֑דJob 8:133t.;יאֹבְדוּJudges 5:313t.;יאֹבֵ

Possible Meanings:
  • perish (semantic_range)
  • they shall perish (semantic_range)
  • destroy (semantic_range)
  • be destroyed (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H3064 יְהוּדִי
Definition:

23; pluralאֲנָשִׁים יְהוּדִיםJewish menJeremiah 43:9;Esther 2:5; .as substantiveJeremiah 34:9;Esther 3:4;הַיְהוּדִיthe JewEsther 5:13;Esther 6:10;Esther 8:7;Esther 9:29,31;Esther 10:3; feminineהַיְּהֻ 23; pluralאֲנָשִׁים יְהוּדִיםJewish menJeremiah 43:9;Esther 2:5; .as substantiveJeremiah 34:9;Esther 3:4;הַיְהוּדִיthe JewEsther 5:13;Esther 6:10;Esther 8:7;Esther 9:29,31;Esther 10:3; feminineהַיְּהֻ

H5288 נַעַר
Definition:

16, but text corrupt, see We Now.Topical LexiconGeneral Sense and Range of Meaningנַעַר designates a male from infancy through early adulthood, emphasizing vitality, teachability, and subordinate stat 16, but text corrupt, see We Now.Topical LexiconGeneral Sense and Range of Meaningנַעַר designates a male from infancy through early adulthood, emphasizing vitality, teachability, and subordinate stat

Possible Meanings:
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • early life (semantic_range)
H5704 עַד
Definition:

20,24;Psalm 104:23;Psalm 147:6;Job 7:4;Job 20:5, and inעֲדֵי עַדIsaiah 26:4;Isaiah 65:18;Psalm 83:18;Psalm 92:8;Psalm 132:12;Psalm 132:14:compareאֱלֵי,עֲלֵי),prepositionas far as, even to, up to, unti 20,24;Psalm 104:23;Psalm 147:6;Job 7:4;Job 20:5, and inעֲדֵי עַדIsaiah 26:4;Isaiah 65:18;Psalm 83:18;Psalm 92:8;Psalm 132:12;Psalm 132:14:compareאֱלֵי,עֲלֵי),prepositionas far as, even to, up to, unti

Possible Meanings:
  • until (semantic_range)
H2205 זָקֵן
Definition:

430t. (on distinction from verb see above); constructזְקַןGenesis 24:2; pluralזְקֵנִיםGenesis 18:1144t.;זְקֵנוֺתZechariah 8:4; constructזִקְנֵיGenesis 50:785t.; suffixזְקֵנַיLamentations 1:19,זְקֵנֶיך 430t. (on distinction from verb see above); constructזְקַןGenesis 24:2; pluralזְקֵנִיםGenesis 18:1144t.;זְקֵנוֺתZechariah 8:4; constructזִקְנֵיGenesis 50:785t.; suffixזְקֵנַיLamentations 1:19,זְקֵנֶיך

Possible Meanings:
  • old age (semantic_range)
H2945 טַף
Definition:

1611t.;טָ֑ףJeremiah 40:75t.; suffixטַמֵּנוּGenesis 43:85t.;טַמְּכֶםGenesis 45:1910t.;טַמָּםGenesis 34:296t.; never construct and never plural (inGenesis 47:24omitted byᵐ5, compare Di); —children, litt 1611t.;טָ֑ףJeremiah 40:75t.; suffixטַמֵּנוּGenesis 43:85t.;טַמְּכֶםGenesis 45:1910t.;טַמָּםGenesis 34:296t.; never construct and never plural (inGenesis 47:24omitted byᵐ5, compare Di); —children, litt

Possible Meanings:
  • quick (semantic_range)
  • tripping (semantic_range)
H0802 אִשָּׁה
Definition:

33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal 33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal

Possible Meanings:
  • an offering made by fire (semantic_range)
H3117 יוֹם
Definition:

5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo 5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo

H0259 אֶחָד
Definition:

5#NAME?אַחַ֫דGenesis 21:15+; so even before preposition1 Samuel 9:3and elsewhere see Dr; feminine absoluteאַחַ֫תGenesis 2:21+;אֶחָ֑תGenesis 11:1+; constructאַחַ֫תDeuteronomy 13:13+; plural masculineאֲ 5#NAME?אַחַ֫דGenesis 21:15+; so even before preposition1 Samuel 9:3and elsewhere see Dr; feminine absoluteאַחַ֫תGenesis 2:21+;אֶחָ֑תGenesis 11:1+; constructאַחַ֫תDeuteronomy 13:13+; plural masculineאֲ

Possible Meanings:
  • one (semantic_range)
  • one (semantic_range)
  • each (semantic_range)
  • every (semantic_range)
  • a certain (semantic_range)
H7969 שָׁלוֹשׁ
Definition:

890t., also constructשְׁלשׁGenesis 18:665t. (butGenesis 38:24read perhapsשְׁלשֶׁתSamaritan, compare Di and others),שְׁלָשֿׁExodus 21:11;feminineשְׁלשָׁה(וֺשָׁה- rare, chiefly late), withnoun masculine 890t., also constructשְׁלשׁGenesis 18:665t. (butGenesis 38:24read perhapsשְׁלשֶׁתSamaritan, compare Di and others),שְׁלָשֿׁExodus 21:11;feminineשְׁלשָׁה(וֺשָׁה- rare, chiefly late), withnoun masculine

H6240 עָשָׂר
Definition:

1eleven:a.אַחַד עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Genesis 32:232t.b.אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה(with feminine noun)2 Kings 23:367t.; also =eleventh1 Kings 6:38;2 Kings 9:29.c.עַשְׁתֵּי עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Numbers 1eleven:a.אַחַד עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Genesis 32:232t.b.אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה(with feminine noun)2 Kings 23:367t.; also =eleventh1 Kings 6:38;2 Kings 9:29.c.עַשְׁתֵּי עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Numbers

Possible Meanings:
  • a ten (semantic_range)
H2320 חֹדֶשׁ
Definition:

11(feminineᵑ0Genesis 38:24butmasculineSam Di)(newness), new moon, month(on formation compare LgBN 144; on usage, names, etc., Muss-ArnJBL 1892, 72 ff., 160 ff.) —׳חabsoluteGenesis 7:11+; construct (ra 11(feminineᵑ0Genesis 38:24butmasculineSam Di)(newness), new moon, month(on formation compare LgBN 144; on usage, names, etc., Muss-ArnJBL 1892, 72 ff., 160 ff.) —׳חabsoluteGenesis 7:11+; construct (ra

H8147 שְׁנַיִם
Definition:

768noun masculine and feminine dualtwo(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianאשנם(and׳שנsecond), PunicשנםLzb380; Arabic; SabeanתֿניHomChr 47, Aramaicתְּרֵין,(תִּנְיָנָא,second); Nabataeanתרין, Palmyrene feminineת 768noun masculine and feminine dualtwo(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianאשנם(and׳שנsecond), PunicשנםLzb380; Arabic; SabeanתֿניHomChr 47, Aramaicתְּרֵין,(תִּנְיָנָא,second); Nabataeanתרין, Palmyrene feminineת

H6240 עָשָׂר
Definition:

1eleven:a.אַחַד עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Genesis 32:232t.b.אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה(with feminine noun)2 Kings 23:367t.; also =eleventh1 Kings 6:38;2 Kings 9:29.c.עַשְׁתֵּי עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Numbers 1eleven:a.אַחַד עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Genesis 32:232t.b.אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה(with feminine noun)2 Kings 23:367t.; also =eleventh1 Kings 6:38;2 Kings 9:29.c.עַשְׁתֵּי עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Numbers

Possible Meanings:
  • a ten (semantic_range)
H1931 הוּא
Definition:

23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both 23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both

H2320 חֹדֶשׁ
Definition:

11(feminineᵑ0Genesis 38:24butmasculineSam Di)(newness), new moon, month(on formation compare LgBN 144; on usage, names, etc., Muss-ArnJBL 1892, 72 ff., 160 ff.) —׳חabsoluteGenesis 7:11+; construct (ra 11(feminineᵑ0Genesis 38:24butmasculineSam Di)(newness), new moon, month(on formation compare LgBN 144; on usage, names, etc., Muss-ArnJBL 1892, 72 ff., 160 ff.) —׳חabsoluteGenesis 7:11+; construct (ra

H0143 אֲדָר
Definition:

7,12;Esther 8:12;Esther 9:1,15,17,19,21; compare Palmyrene, NabataeanאדרVog8EutNab 24.אֲדָר(K§ 57 a)proper name12th month(Biblical Hebrewid.); —Ezra 6:15.Topical LexiconMeaning and ChronologyAdar desi 7,12;Esther 8:12;Esther 9:1,15,17,19,21; compare Palmyrene, NabataeanאדרVog8EutNab 24.אֲדָר(K§ 57 a)proper name12th month(Biblical Hebrewid.); —Ezra 6:15.Topical LexiconMeaning and ChronologyAdar desi

Possible Meanings:
  • threshing-floor (semantic_range)
H7998 שָׁלָל
Definition:

16prey, spoil, plunder, booty; — absolute׳שׁGenesis 49:27+; constructשְׁלַלJudges 5:30+, suffixשְׁלָלֵךְZechariah 14:1,שְׁלַלְכֶםIsaiah 33:4, etc.; —1prey, of Benjamin as wolfGenesis 49:27(poem in J; 16prey, spoil, plunder, booty; — absolute׳שׁGenesis 49:27+; constructשְׁלַלJudges 5:30+, suffixשְׁלָלֵךְZechariah 14:1,שְׁלַלְכֶםIsaiah 33:4, etc.; —1prey, of Benjamin as wolfGenesis 49:27(poem in J;

H0962 בִּזז
Definition:

19; 3pluralבָּֽזְַזוּNumbers 31:537t.;בָּזָ֑זוּNumbers 31:9; suffixוּבְזָזוּםconsecutiveJeremiah 20:5; 1pluralבָּזַזְנוּDeuteronomy 2:35;בַּזּוֺנוּDeuteronomy 3:7;Imperfect2masculine singularתָּבֹזDeu 19; 3pluralבָּֽזְַזוּNumbers 31:537t.;בָּזָ֑זוּNumbers 31:9; suffixוּבְזָזוּםconsecutiveJeremiah 20:5; 1pluralבָּזַזְנוּDeuteronomy 2:35;בַּזּוֺנוּDeuteronomy 3:7;Imperfect2masculine singularתָּבֹזDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • spoil (semantic_range)
  • plunder (semantic_range)
  • spoil (semantic_range)
  • be spoiled (semantic_range)
  • plundered (semantic_range)

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

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