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 Map from Keyway.ca The Persian Empire covered many areas. It included the modern-day countries of Israel, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkey.
The Persian kings named in the Bible
were Cyrus, Ahasruerus, Artaxerxes, and Darius. |
Esther 8
The order to kill the Jews is reversed.
The Jews' enemy, Haman, was hanged. The same day,
the king gave
everything Haman owned to Esther. Esther told the
king that Mordecai was her cousin. Mordecai came to see the king.
[1] On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews'
enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther
had told what he was unto her.
The king had given his ring to Haman in the
past. Then he took it back. Now, he is giving his ring to Mordecai. Esther
put Mordecai in charge of the things that Haman owned.
[2] And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave
it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
Esther talked to the king again. She got down on
the ground by his feet and begged. She cried and asked him to take away
Haman's evil plan to kill all of the Jews in Persia.
[3] And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet,
and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite,
and his device that he had devised against the Jews.
The king held out his golden sceptre to Esther.
Esther stood up and stood in front of the king. She asked him to
please reverse the order to kill all Jews in Persia.
[4] Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther
arose, and stood before the king,
[5] And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his
sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his
eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of
Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all
the king's provinces:
Esther said she couldn't stand to see her people
and her family killed.
[6] For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or
how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
Then King Ahasuerus talked to Esther and Mordecai.
He said he has given Haman's belongings to Esther. Haman has been hanged
because he tried to kill the Jews.
[7] Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the
Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have
hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
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| This is sealing wax. It
is like the wax that Mordecai used to seal the king's letter
with the new law. He used the king's ring to mark the wax. Then everyone knew the
letter was official from the king. Graphics from www.digbyandiona.com |
He told them to write a new law
about the Jews. They should write it with the king's name and seal it with the
king's ring. Then, no one can reverse the law.
[8] Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and
seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's
name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.
On the 23rd day of the 3rd month (the month named Sivan), the scribes
(secretaries) came to
Mordecai. Mordecai told the scribes the new law that the Jews should not be
killed. The scribes wrote the new law. The law will go to the leaders in all
of the areas of Persia. There are 127 provinces in Persia. There are many
different languages in all of the provinces, so the scribes wrote the law in
the many languages.
[9] Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month,
that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was
written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the
lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from
India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every
province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their
language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their
language.
After they wrote the law in the
king's name, Mordecai sealed it with the king's ring. Messengers took the
letters to all of the provinces. The messengers rode on horses, mules,
camels, and dromedaries (similar to camels).
[10] And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's
ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels,
and young dromedaries:
This was the law that Mordecai wrote. The law said
that on the 13th day of the 12th month (the month named Adar), the Jews should meet
together. They should defend themselves if anyone tries to hurt them. If
anyone tries to hurt them, the Jews can kill them and take everything they
own.
[11] Wherein 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,
[12] Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the
thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
The law was sent to every area
(province) to all of the people. The Jews should be ready on that day. They
should be ready to defend themselves if anyone tries to hurt them.
[13] The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province
was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against
that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
The messengers hurried and traveled to all areas of
Persia. They took the new law to all areas. The law was also given at the palace
in Shushan.
[14] So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened
and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at
Shushan the palace.
Mordecai left the king and went out of the king's
palace. He was wearing royal clothes that were blue, white, and purple. He
wore a gold crown. The people in Shushan were very happy.
[15] And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of
blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine
linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
The Jews were very happy and joyful. They had
honor.
[16] The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
The Jews in all areas were happy when they heard
about the new law. They had a big feast. Many of the people in Persia became
Jews that day. They now were afraid of the Jews.
[17] And 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 9
The Jews kill their enemies and then
celebrate.
On the 13th day of the 12th month (the
month named Adar), the Jews met together. It was the
day that the king's new law took effect. The Jews now ruled over the people
who hated them and wanted to hurt them. The Jews were now powerful because
the other people were afraid of them.
[1] Now in 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;)
[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.
All of the Persian leaders and army officers helped
the Jews. They were afraid of Mordecai.
[3] And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the
deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of
Mordecai fell upon them.
Mordecai was now very powerful. He was famous in
all areas of Persia. Everyone knew he was an important man in the king's
palace.
[4] For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out
throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and
greater.
The Jews killed all of their enemies the same as
their enemies wanted to kill them.
[5] Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and
slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated
them.
In the city of Shushan, the Jews killed 500 men.
[6] And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
They killed Haman's 10 sons. Their names were
Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai,
Aridai, and Vajezatha. They killed all of the sons but they did not take any
of their belongings.
[7] And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,
[8] And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
[9] And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,
[10] The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews,
slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.
That day, the king got the report about the people
who were killed in Shushan. The king told Esther that the Jews had
killed 500 men in the palace at Shushan. Haman's 10 sons were killed. Out in
the other areas of Persia, the Jews had also killed their enemies. The
king asked Esther what she wants to do now.
[11] On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace
was brought before the king.
[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 what is thy
petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and
it shall be done.
Esther said she wanted the Jews to continue to kill
their enemies for another day. She also wanted the king to hang Haman's
sons on the gallows.
[13] Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews
which are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according unto this day's decree,
and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
The king gave the order in Shushan. Then they
hanged Haman's 10 sons.
[14] And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at
Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
On the 14th day of Adar, the Jews in Shushan met
together. They killed 300 men in Shushan. But they do not take any of their
belongings.
[15] For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered 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.
The other Jews that lived in other areas of Persia
also met together. They defended themselves and killed 75,000 of their
enemies. But they did not take any of their belongings.
[16] But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered
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,
The Jews in the other areas of
Persia defended themselves on the
13th day of Adar. On the 14th day, they had a big feast and celebration.
[17] On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of
the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
The Jews in Shushan defended themselves on the 13th
and 14th days of Adar. On the 15th day, they rested and had a feast and
celebration.
[18] But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on 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.
The Jews that lived in the smaller towns made the
14th day of Adar a day for celebration and feasts. They sent food and gifts
to each other.
[19] Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns,
made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting,
and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
Mordecai wrote letters to all of the Jews in
Persia. He said that from now on, they will celebrate this special time
every year. They should celebrate on the 14th and 15th days of Adar. They
will celebrate and remember that these are the days when a sad time turned
into a happy time. They should feast and be joyful. They should send
food and gifts to each other and send gifts to poor people.
[20] And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews
that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
[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,
[22] As the 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.
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| Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar--usually in
March. First, there is a fast (no eating or drinking). Next, someone reads the Book of Esther aloud. When the reader says the name of Haman, everyone makes loud noises. They boo, hiss, stamp their feet, and use noisemakers. They do this to block out the name of Haman. Then they eat, drink, and have parties. They give gifts of food and drinks. They give gifts to people who need help.
A common food at Purim is "hamentaschen". This means "Haman's pockets". They are triangle-shaped cookies. There are also carnivals, plays, and beauty contests during
Purim. |
The Jews did what Mordecai told
them to do. They celebrated because Haman's evil plan did not work.
Haman (his father was named Hammedatha and he was an Agagite) wanted to kill
all of the Jews. He used Pur (cast lots, like a lottery) to pick the day to
kill them all.
[23] And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had
written unto them;
[24] Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the
Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that
is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
But Esther told the king about Haman's plan, and the king killed Haman
and his sons instead.
[25] 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.
They named the special celebration days Purim.
The name Purim comes from the Pur that Haman used. He used the Pur to pick
the day to kill all of the Jews. Every year, the Jews will remember
everything that Haman tried to do. Their descendants and other people who
live with them will always remember this, too. They will celebrate Purim in
every place where the Jews live.
[26] Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore
for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning
this matter, and which had come unto them,
[27] The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon
all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they
would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their
appointed time every year;
[28] And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every
generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these
days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them
perish from their seed.
Esther wanted to make sure that everyone knew that Mordecai worked for the
king. She wanted them all to obey the law he sent in the letter. So she wrote a second letter
and sent it to all of the Jews in the 127 provinces of Persia. She wrote
words of peace and truth. She confirmed that the Jews should celebrate and
fast for Purim every year. They should celebrate Purim from that time on.
The law about Purim was written in the book of laws in Persia.
[29] Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew,
wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.
[30] And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and
seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,
[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 themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and
their cry.
[32] And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was
written in the book.
Esther 10
King Ahasuerus made a new tax on
the areas of Persia and its islands.
[1] And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and
upon the isles of the sea.
The book about the kings of Media and Persia tells about all of the things
Ahasuerus did when he was king. It also tells about Mordecai and how he was
powerful. He was second in power to the king. The Jews honored and respected Mordecai
because he always tried to help them. He wanted peace for all of the Jews.
[2] And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of
the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not
written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?
[3] For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the
Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of
his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
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