Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

ESTHER 8:9KJV
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Esther 8:9 (KJV)

What does Esther 8:9 mean?

Esther 8:9 describes how the king’s scribes were summoned to write new orders, as instructed by Mordecai, on the twenty-third day of the third month (Sivan). These orders were written in every language and script used throughout the vast empire, so that all the officials, peoples, and especially the Jews could understand them.

This verse takes place after Queen Esther and Mordecai have been given authority to act on behalf of the Jews. The king’s scribes are called to officially record and distribute Mordecai’s commands across all 127 provinces, stretching from India to Ethiopia. The careful mention of languages and scripts shows the Persian Empire’s diversity and the importance of making sure everyone, including the Jews, received and understood the new decree.

The Hebrew behind Esther 8:9

  • סִפְרֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ (siphrē ha-melekh, "king's scribes"): This phrase refers to the official record-keepers or secretaries of the Persian court. Their involvement shows that the decree was formal and authoritative.
  • סִיוָן (Sivan): Naming the month Sivan (the third month in the Jewish calendar) pinpoints the timing, which is important because it shows how quickly action was taken after the earlier crisis.
  • כָּתוּב (kathuv, "written") and מִכְתָּב (mikhtav, "writing"): The use of these words emphasizes the importance of written communication in the empire, and that the message was carefully prepared for each province and people group.
  • לְשׁוֹן (lashon, "language"): This highlights the empire’s diversity and the effort made to communicate clearly with every group, not just the Jews.

Why Esther 8:9 matters

  • Esther 8:9 shows the scale and organization of the Persian Empire, reminding readers how far-reaching the events of Esther were.
  • The verse highlights the urgency and thoroughness with which Mordecai’s decree was spread, contrasting with the earlier decree against the Jews.
  • By specifying that the orders were written in every language and script, the verse underscores the inclusiveness and seriousness of the new decree, ensuring no one was left out or uninformed.