Esther 8:12
What does Esther 8:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 8:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 8:12 means
The decree sets the defense for a single appointed day—the thirteenth of Adar, the twelfth month—matching the very day Haman selected for Jewish destruction. This timing turns the enemy’s chosen moment into the hour of deliverance. By fixing one day, the law avoids open-ended violence and ensures order. It also signals confidence that preparation and unity under the new decree will suffice. The careful dating shows the sovereignty working through human plans: the calendar once threatened becomes a tool for salvation. What was meant for annihilation is redirected into a lawful day of defense and, ultimately, triumph.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949On one day in every division of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, that is, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862In one day, in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month--it <FI>is<Fi> the month of Adar--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And one day of revenge was appointed through all the provinces, to wit, the thirteenth of the twelfth month Adar.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, upon the thirteenth of the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
Context
Verse 12 pinpoints the date of action after verse 11’s permissions. Aligning with Haman’s scheduled day underscores the reversal theme running through the chapter. The following verse (13) ensures that a copy is published empire-wide so all peoples know the Jews’ rights and readiness to act. Then verses 14–15 describe the urgency of distribution and the immediate effects in Shushan, preparing for the joy and honor experienced by the Jews in verses 16–17.
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,
v.12This passage
v.13A 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 3:13
And 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.
- Esther 9:1
Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them (whereas it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them),
- Judges 1:6
But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.
- Exodus 15:9
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.