Esther 8:13

Esther 8:13 Meaning and Explanation

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.

King James Version (KJV)

Read this verse in context with translation switching:

Read Full Chapter →

The decree is published everywhere so the Jews would be ready to defend themselves on that day.

What Does Esther 8:13 Mean?

The text of the new decree is published in every province, just as Haman's was, so that the Jews might be ready against that day to stand against their enemies. The same public proclamation that once announced their doom now announces their right to live. Hope is broadcast as widely as the threat once was.

This deliberate echo of the earlier publication completes the symmetry. Where all peoples were once told to prepare for the Jews' destruction, now the Jews are told to prepare for their defense. The narrator shows the whole empire, which once awaited their death, now informed of their deliverance. The public square that carried terror now carries the promise of rescue to every corner of the land.

Frequently Asked Questions About Esther 8:13

What does Esther 8:13 mean?

The decree is published everywhere so the Jews would be ready to defend themselves on that day.

Keep Studying Esther 8

Read the whole chapter in KJV, ASV, or WEB, or go deeper with the chapter study guide and key themes.