Esther 3:12
What does Esther 3:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 3:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 3:12 means
Scribes are summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month to write exactly what Haman commands, addressed to satraps, governors, and princes throughout the empire, in every script and language. The document bears the name of king Ahasuerus and the seal of his ring, granting it full authority. The verse highlights the Persian administrative machine—swift, multilingual, and comprehensive. Evil here is not chaotic; it is organized and officially certified. The timing suggests haste after authorization. The breadth of recipients shows there will be no misunderstanding: every level of government is enlisted to carry out the decree.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then were the king’s scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof; and there was written according to all that Haman commanded unto the king’s satraps, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was sealed with the king’s ring.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then were the king’s scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof; and there was written according to all that Haman commanded unto the king’s satraps, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was sealed with the king’s ring.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then on the thirteenth day of the first month, the king's scribes were sent for, and they put in writing Haman's orders to all the king's captains and the rulers of every division of his kingdom and the chiefs of every people: for every division of the kingdom in the writing commonly used there, and to every people in the language which was theirs; it was signed in the name of King Ahasuerus and stamped with the king's ring.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And scribes of the king are called, on the first month, on the thirteenth day of it, and it is written according to all that Haman hath commanded, unto lieutenants of the king, and unto the governors who <FI>are<Fi> over province and province, and unto the heads of people and people, province and province, according to its writing, and people and people according to its tongue, in the name of the king Ahasuerus it hath been written and sealed with the signet of the king,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the king's scribes were called in the first month Nisan, on the thirteenth day of the same mouth: and they wrote, as Aman had commanded, to all the king's lieutenants, and to the judges of the provinces, and of divers nations, as every nation could read, and hear according to their different languages, in the name of king Assuerus: and the letters, sealed with his ring,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then were the king's scribes called, in the first month, on the thirteenth day of the [month], and there was written according to all that Haman commanded unto the king's satraps, and to the governors over every province, and to the princes of every people; to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people according to their language: in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
Context
This verse follows the king’s grant of authority (vv. 10–11) and shows its bureaucratic expression. The imperial network is mobilized to enact Haman’s will as if it were the king’s own. Next, verse 13 will disclose the content: total destruction of the Jews on a set day, with permission to plunder. The wide distribution and official seal ensure obedience throughout the realm, elevating personal hatred to public policy.
v.11And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
v.12This passage
v.13And letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to slay, 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 8:36
And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s satraps, and to the governors beyond the River: and they furthered the people and the house of God.
- Daniel 6:15
Then these men assembled together unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no interdict nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.
- 1 Kings 21:8
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, and that dwelt with Naboth.
- Esther 8:8
Write ye also to the Jews, as it pleaseth 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.
- Esther 1:22
for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and should speak according to the language of his people.
- Esther 9:27
the Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so that it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to the writing thereof, and according to the appointed time thereof, every year;