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.
Then on the thirteenth day of the first month, the king's scribes were called together. They wrote down everything Haman had commanded and sent letters to all the king's officials, governors of every province, and rulers of every people group. The letters were written in the script and language of each province and people group. Everything was written in King Ahasuerus's name and sealed with the king's official ring.
This verse describes the official process of sending out Haman's evil decree to destroy the Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire, giving it the full authority of the king.
📚 Historical Context
This took place in the Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I, around 486-465 BC). The Persian Empire was vast, spanning from India to Ethiopia with many different languages and peoples. Royal decrees sealed with the king's ring carried absolute authority and could not be revoked, making this moment particularly dire for the Jewish people.
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