Esther 9:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Jews prevail over those who attacked them, exercising the defense the decree allowed.
What Does Esther 9:5 Mean?
The verse states the outcome of the day without flinching. The Jews smite their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and the language is heavy with the weight of battle. These are the very ones who came against them, those who hated them and meant to carry out the first decree of destruction.
The phrase did what they would unto those that hated them describes the freedom the second decree had granted: the legal right to defend themselves fully against attackers. The text presents this as lawful self-defense in a day appointed for their slaughter, the threatened people now able to repel those who rose to kill them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esther 9:5
What does Esther 9:5 mean?
The Jews prevail over those who attacked them, exercising the defense the decree allowed.