Esther 9:1
What does Esther 9:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 9:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 9:1 means
The narrative reaches the appointed day—Adar’s thirteenth—when the first decree had scheduled Jewish ruin. Yet what unfolds is the opposite of what enemies expected. The very day meant for Jewish subjugation becomes the day when those who hated them are brought under Jewish power. This reversal did not happen by chance. It flowed from the second decree that gave the Jews legal standing to defend themselves, combined with God’s unseen providence guiding events. The wording emphasizes that expectations were overturned: instead of the Jews being ruled, they “had rule” over their haters. The verse signals that the tide has fully turned and that safety, not slaughter, will mark the day.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now 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),
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now in the twelfth month, that 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, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now 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),
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, when the time came for the king's order to be put into effect, on the very day when the haters of the Jews had been hoping to have rule over them; though the opposite had come about, and the Jews had rule over their haters;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And in the twelfth month--it <FI>is<Fi> the month of Adar--on the thirteenth day of it, in which the word of the king, even his law, hath come to be done, in the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to rule over them, and it is turned that the Jews rule over those hating them--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752So on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which as we have said above is called Adar, when all the Jews were designed to be massacred, and their enemies were greedy after their blood, the case being altered, the Jews began to have the upper hand, and to revenge themselves of their adversaries.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day thereof, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them (but it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had power over them that hated them),
Context
Verse 1 opens the account of the climactic day anticipated since Haman’s decree. Chapter 8 already recorded the counter-decree allowing Jewish self-defense. Now the calendar arrives at the crisis moment. The writer immediately announces the great reversal: the day of expected defeat becomes the day of victory. This sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, which describes the execution of that deliverance across the empire and culminates in the lasting memorial of Purim. What follows explains how this reversal manifests in cities, at court, and in official records.
v.1This passage
v.2the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them was fallen upon all the peoples.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Samuel 22:41
Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me, That I might cut off them that hate me.
- Psalms 30:11
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
- Deuteronomy 32:36
For Jehovah will judge his people, And repent himself for his servants; When he seeth that their power is gone, And there is noneremaining, shut up or left at large.
- Acts 12:11
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
- Esther 3:7
In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
- Isaiah 60:14
And the sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee The city of Jehovah, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.