Esther 8:10
What does Esther 8:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 8:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 8:10 means
Mordecai issues the decree in the king’s name, sealing it with the royal ring for full legal force. The letters are sent by royal couriers on the fastest horses from the king’s own stud, underscoring urgency and authority. This is not a casual memo but an empire-wide directive backed by the sovereign’s seal and speed. Every logistical advantage is used so the Jews will have time to prepare. The verse shows wisdom in administration: truth and justice must be paired with timely delivery. A righteous decree still needs swift feet, and the king’s resources now run in service of protecting those previously marked for destruction.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he wrote in the name of king Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, riding on swift steeds that were used in the king’s service, bred of the stud:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he wrote in the name of king Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, riding on swift steeds that were used in the king’s service, bred of the stud:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The letters were sent in the name of King Ahasuerus and stamped with his ring, and they were taken by men on horseback, going on the quick-running horses used for the king's business, the offspring of his best horses:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he writeth in the name of the king Ahasuerus, and sealeth with the signet of the king, and sendeth letters by the hand of the runners with horses, riders of the dromedary, the mules, the young mares,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And these letters which were sent in the king's name, were sealed with his ring, and sent by posts: who were to run through all the provinces, to prevent the former letters with new messages.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he wrote in the name of king Ahasuerus, and sealed [it] with the king's ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback riding on coursers, horses of blood reared in the breeding studs:
Context
After the decree is drafted (verse 9), verse 10 shows its official issuance and dispatch. The emphasis on the seal and swift horses underscores the decree’s authenticity and speed. Next, verses 11–13 will disclose the decree’s content and timing, ensuring that recipients understand both their rights and the day appointed. The narrative keeps highlighting parallels to Haman’s earlier letters, stressing that the counter-edict matches or exceeds the authority, scope, and urgency of the original threat.
v.9Then were the king’s scribes called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the three and twentiethday thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
v.10This passage
v.11wherein the king granted the Jews that were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 9:25
Now my days are swifter than a post: They flee away, they see no good.
- 1 Kings 4:28
Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
- Jeremiah 51:21
and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider;
- Daniel 4:1
Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you.
- 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 Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant that are escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
- Ecclesiastes 8:4
For the king’s word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?