Esther 9:12
What does Esther 9:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 9:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 9:12 means
King Ahasuerus informs Esther that the Jews have slain five hundred men in Shushan, along with Haman’s ten sons, and wonders aloud what might have happened across his vast provinces. He then invites Esther to state any further petition or request, promising to grant it. The king’s tone conveys approval of the outcome and readiness to strengthen it. This is not caprice; it reflects his alignment with Mordecai’s policy and Esther’s people. The question about the provinces magnifies the scale of the deliverance, while the open-handed offer gives Esther opportunity to secure complete peace in the capital.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! Now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! Now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the king said to Esther the queen, The Jews have put five hundred men to death in Shushan, as well as the ten sons of Haman: what then have they done in the rest of the kingdom! Now what is your prayer? for it will be given to you; what other request have you? and it will be done.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the king saith to Esther the queen, `In Shushan the palace have the Jews slain and destroyed five hundred men, and the ten sons of Haman; in the rest of the provinces of the king what have they done? and what <FI>is<Fi> thy petition? and it is given to thee; and what thy request again? and it is done.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he said to the queen: The Jews have killed five hundred men in the city of Susan, besides the ten sons of Aman: how many dost thou think they have slain in all the provinces? What askest thou more, and what wilt thou have me to command to be done?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the king said to Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the fortress, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? And what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee; and what is thy request further? and it shall be done.
Context
The royal report (v. 11) leads directly to the king’s engagement with Esther. Verse 12 is pivotal because it authorizes a new request, which Esther immediately makes in verse 13. The focus remains on Shushan, not the provinces—those are already experiencing widespread success. The palace is the political stage, and what happens there will set a public example. After the king’s offer, Esther’s measured request will be granted (v. 14), shaping the sequence of rest and celebration in Shushan (v. 18) and across the empire (vv. 16–17).
v.11On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.
v.12This passage
v.13Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews that are in Shushan to do to-morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 5:6
And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
- Esther 7:2
And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.