For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.

ESTHER 9:15KJV
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Esther 9:15 (KJV)

What does Esther 9:15 mean?

Esther 9:15 describes how the Jews in the city of Shushan gathered together again on the fourteenth day of the month Adar and killed three hundred more men, but they did not take any of the plunder for themselves. The verse highlights both the continued self-defense of the Jews and their restraint in not seizing goods or property from their enemies.

This verse is set during the events following Haman’s plot against the Jews, after Esther and Mordecai had turned the tables through the king’s decree. The Jews of Shushan, the Persian capital, were given an extra day to defend themselves, unlike those in the rest of the empire. The verse shows the seriousness of the threat they faced and their disciplined response.

The Hebrew behind Esther 9:15

  • "together" (נִקְהֲלוּ, niqhalu): This word means to assemble or gather as a group, emphasizing that the Jews acted in unity and with purpose, not as scattered individuals.
  • "prey" (בִּזָּה, bizzah): This term refers to spoil or plunder. The verse specifically notes that the Jews did not lay their hand on the "prey," underscoring their motivation was self-defense, not material gain.
  • "slew" (הָרְגוּ, hargu): This word means to kill or strike down. The use of this term makes clear that the action was decisive and forceful, reflecting the seriousness of the conflict in Shushan.

Why Esther 9:15 matters

  • Esther 9:15 clarifies that the Jews’ actions were defensive and not motivated by greed, since they refrained from taking plunder even when it was allowed by Persian custom.
  • The verse highlights the unique situation in Shushan, where the Jews required an extra day for self-defense, showing the intensity of opposition they faced in the capital.
  • This detail connects to the broader theme of the book: the reversal of fortune for the Jewish people and the importance of restraint and justice in the face of danger.

Where else these words appear

“Adar” Hebrew H143 · used in 8 verses

  • Esther 3:7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
  • Esther 8:12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
  • Esther 9:17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

“prey” Hebrew H961 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 14:14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
  • Ezra 9:7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
  • Esther 9:16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,

“Shushan” Hebrew H7800 · used in 19 verses

  • Nehemiah 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
  • Esther 3:15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
  • Esther 9:11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.

“together” Hebrew H6950 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
  • Numbers 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
  • 1 Chronicles 28:1 And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.