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Esther 3:14

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Esther 3:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published unto all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published unto all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day.
Esther 3:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Esther 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
12Then were the king`s scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof; and there was written according to all that Haman commanded unto the king`s satraps, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was sealed with the king`s ring.
13And 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.
14A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published unto all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day.
15The posts went forth in haste by the king`s commandment, and the decree was given out in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.
← Esther 3:13Esther 3:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The copy of the writing, for a commandment to be given in every province, was published unto all people, etc.] Not only letters were sent to the governors, but a copy, or the sum of the contents of them, was published by heralds, or stuck up as with us, in various places, that it might be publicly known by the common people everywhere: that they should be ready against that day; and fall upon the people of the Jews, and slay them, and seize on their goods as a prey.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:14-15 This decree carried the full weight of Xerxes’ royal authority. • The foolish king and wicked Haman celebrated this occasion, but the people of the fortress of Susa were perplexed, bewildered, and confused at such a ruthless and unjust decree.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“The copy: Est 8:13, Est 8:14 Esther 3:15”
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Related study paths

Read Esther 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification