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.

Where else these words appear

“India” Hebrew H1912 · used in 2 verses

  • Esther 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus,(this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

“lieutenants” Hebrew H323 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 8:36 And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
  • Esther 3:12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
  • Esther 9:3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.

“writing” Hebrew H3791 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 28:19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.
  • Nehemiah 7:64 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
  • Esther 8:8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.

“deputies” Hebrew H6346 · used in 27 verses

  • 1 Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
  • Nehemiah 5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
  • Jeremiah 51:57 And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.