Esther 9:5
What does Esther 9:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 9:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 9:5 means
The Jews decisively defeat those who hate them, employing the sword and bringing their enemies’ designs to nothing. The expression that they did “what they would” to their haters emphasizes complete reversal of power within the bounds of the decree. This is not vindictive excess but firm justice against active hostility. The text underscores that the conflict was targeted: it was aimed at “their enemies,” those intent on Jewish harm. The violence reflects the severity of the threat previously posed by Haman’s edict. Now that the legal balance is reset, those who would carry out the earlier plan find themselves facing a prepared and protected people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they would unto them that hated them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they would unto them that hated them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So the Jews overcame all their attackers with the sword and with death and destruction, and did to their haters whatever they had a desire to do.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the Jews smite among all their enemies--a smiting of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction--and do with those hating them according to their pleasure,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752So the Jews made a great slaughter of their enemies, and killed them, repaying according to what they had prepared to do to them:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword and slaughter and destruction, and did what they would to those that hated them.
Context
After describing the fear and official backing (vv. 2–4), verse 5 reports the sweeping success of Jewish self-defense. It generalizes the outcome before moving to specifics in Shushan the palace (vv. 6–10) and then to developments before the king (vv. 11–14). This structure—broad report, capital city details, royal response—helps readers see both the local and imperial dimensions of the deliverance. The next verses will provide numbers and names, illustrating the completeness of the victory and connecting it directly to Haman’s collapsed house.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 18:47
Even the God that executeth vengeance for me, And subdueth peoples under me.
- Jeremiah 18:21
Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and give them over to the power of the sword; and let their wives become childless, and widows; and let their men be slain of death, and their young men smitten of the sword in battle.
- Psalms 20:7
Some trustin chariots, and some in horses; But we will make mention of the name of Jehovah our God.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6
if so be that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you,
- Psalms 149:6
Letthe high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand;
- Psalms 18:34
He teacheth my hands to war; So that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.