📖 Esther — Chapter 9 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Esther 9:1 Now Rin the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
Esther 9:2 The Jews Rgathered 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.
Esther 9:3 And all Rthe rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and Tofficers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.
Esther 9:4 For Mordecai Rwas great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
Esther 9:5 Thus the Jews Rsmote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did Twhat they would unto those that hated them.
Esther 9:6 And in RShushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
Esther 9:7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,
Esther 9:8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
Esther 9:9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,
Esther 9:10 The Rten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.
Esther 9:11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace Twas brought before the king.
Esther 9:12 And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? now Rwhat is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.
Esther 9:13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also Raccording unto this day’s decree, and Tlet Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
Esther 9:14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.
Esther 9:15 For the Jews that were in Shushan Rgathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.
Esther 9:16 But the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces Rgathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,
Esther 9:17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day RTof the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
Esther 9:18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together Ron the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
Esther 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of Rgladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
Esther 9:20 And Mordecai Rwrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
Esther 9:21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
Esther 9:22 As Rthe days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
Esther 9:23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
Esther 9:24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, Rthe enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to Tconsume them, and to destroy them;
Esther 9:25 But RTwhen 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.
Esther 9:26 Wherefore Rthey called these days Purim after the name of TPur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,
Esther 9:27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, Rand upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not Tfail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;
Esther 9:28 And that these days should be Rremembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not Tfail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them Tperish from their seed.
Esther 9:29 Then Esther the queen, Rthe daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all Tauthority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.
Esther 9:30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to Rthe hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,
Esther 9:31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for Tthemselves and for their seed, the matters of Rthe fastings and their cry.
Esther 9:32 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Esther 9:1–16 — The threatened day and its reversal
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Jews gather against those seeking their harm, and the officials help them. The chapter records extensive killing and Haman's sons' deaths, while repeatedly stating that the Jews do not take the spoil. These severe events describe deliverance within this ancient crisis, not a mandate for readers to use violence or collective punishment today.
Key Truth: Read deliverance with attention to the serious human cost of conflict.
Check What You Remember
1. In which month did the threatened day arrive? (Esther 9:1)
Find it in Esther 9:1 (KJV).
2. Who helped the Jews among the authorities? (Esther 9:3)
Find it in Esther 9:3 (KJV).
3. Did the Jews take the spoil according to the repeated statement? (Esther 9:10)
Find it in Esther 9:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Esther 9:17–22 — Rest remembered with generosity
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The people rest after the conflict, and Mordecai instructs them to remember the days annually. Mourning has turned to joy, and the observance includes sharing portions and giving to the poor. The memory of survival becomes an occasion for generosity rather than merely private enjoyment.
Key Truth: Let remembered mercy produce generosity toward others.
Check What You Remember
1. On which day did the Jews outside Shushan rest? (Esther 9:17)
Find it in Esther 9:17 (KJV).
2. On which day did those at Shushan rest? (Esther 9:18)
Find it in Esther 9:18 (KJV).
3. To whom were gifts to be given? (Esther 9:22)
Find it in Esther 9:22 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Esther 9:23–32 — Purim established for future generations
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The chapter explains the name Purim from the lot Haman cast and records the commitment to remember the reversal. Esther and Mordecai confirm the observance with letters of peace and truth. The record carries the memory beyond those who personally experienced the danger. A community can preserve its history through truthful remembrance and shared practice.
Key Truth: Pass on remembered history with peace and truth.
Check What You Remember
1. From what word did Purim take its name? (Esther 9:26)
Find it in Esther 9:26 (KJV).
2. Which queen confirmed the observance with Mordecai? (Esther 9:29)
Find it in Esther 9:29 (KJV).
3. What characterized the letters sent? (Esther 9:30)
Find it in Esther 9:30 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Deuteronomy 15:11 — The law calls for an open hand toward the poor.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How could remembering help you have received lead to a gift or act of care for someone else?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the opening describe the reversal on the threatened day?
2. What restraint is repeated after accounts of killing?
3. Why do the commemorative dates differ for Shushan and other places?
4. How does the observance join celebration with generosity?
5. How is the memory intended to continue?
Notes
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