Esther 3:14
What does Esther 3:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 3:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 3:14 means
A public copy of the decree is issued in every province so all peoples will be ready on the appointed day. The edict is not secret; its force lies in universal knowledge and compliance. This readiness language underscores the normalization of evil under legal cover: citizens are to organize themselves for a day of sanctioned violence. The publication signals that there will be no appeal or delay, and it spreads dread among the targeted people. It also shows how law can catechize a culture, preparing hearts and hands to do what would otherwise be unthinkable.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published unto all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published unto all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949A copy of the writing, to be made public in every part of the kingdom, was sent out to all the peoples, so that they might be ready when that day came.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862a copy of the writing to be made law in every province and province is revealed to all the peoples, to be ready for this day.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the contents of the letters were to this effect, that all provinces might know and be ready against that day.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890That the decree might be given in every province, a copy of the writing was published to all peoples, that they should be ready against that day.
Context
Coming immediately after the decree’s content (v. 13), this verse describes its empire-wide publication and the expectation of readiness. It sets up the final verse’s contrast between the rulers’ calm and the city’s distress. The chapter’s flow moves from personal affront to policy to public mobilization, building suspense for the response that will follow in the next chapter.
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.
v.14This passage
v.15The posts went forth in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given out in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 8:13
A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published unto all the peoples, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.