"And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews,…" — Esther 3:13

Esther 3:13 · KJV

“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.”

— Esther 3:13

Verse 12

Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that {were} over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and {to} every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. {scribes: or, secretaries}

Verse 14

The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

Esther 3 — Context

And the king said unto Haman, The silver {is} given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

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.

The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

Cross References

2 Chronicles 30:6

So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. {from: Heb. from the hand}

Esther 9:10

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.

1 Samuel 15:3

Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Esther 8:10-14

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:

Job 9:25

Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

Isaiah 10:6

I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. {tread...: Heb. lay them a treading}

Jeremiah 51:31

One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at {one} end,

Romans 3:15

Their feet {are} swift to shed blood:

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