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,

ESTHER 9:16KJV
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Esther 9:16 (KJV)

What does Esther 9:16 mean?

Esther 9:16 describes how the Jews living throughout the king’s provinces defended themselves, survived attacks from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of those who threatened them, but they did not take any plunder from their defeated foes. The verse emphasizes both their victory and their restraint in not seizing goods or property.

This verse is part of the story’s conclusion, where the Jewish people, threatened with destruction, are given permission to protect themselves. The king’s decree allowed them to gather together and fight back against those who sought to harm them. The detail that they did not lay hands on the prey (plunder) highlights that their actions were about survival and justice, not personal gain.

The Hebrew behind Esther 9:16

  • "together" (קָהַל, qāhal): This word means to assemble or gather, showing that the Jews acted as a united community rather than as scattered individuals.
  • "rest" (נוֹחַ, nôaḥ): This word is often understood as relief or respite, emphasizing that the Jews were able to find safety and peace after defending themselves.
  • "prey" (בִּזָּה, bizzāh): This word refers to spoil or plunder. The verse’s use of this word, along with the statement that the Jews did not take it, underlines their moral restraint and focus on self-defense rather than material reward.

Why Esther 9:16 matters

  • Esther 9:16 clarifies that the Jews’ actions were defensive and not motivated by greed, as they refrained from taking plunder even after a significant victory.
  • The verse highlights the unity and organization of the Jewish people in the face of danger, which is a key theme in the book of Esther.
  • This detail connects to the broader message of Esther, showing that deliverance and justice can be achieved without resorting to vengeance or exploitation.

Where else these words appear

“rest” Hebrew H5118 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 6:41 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
  • 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.
  • Esther 9:18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, 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 9:15 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.

“other” Hebrew H7605 · used in 25 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 11:8 And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
  • Nehemiah 11:1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
  • Isaiah 11:16 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

“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.