And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
Letters were sent by messengers to every province in the king's empire, commanding them to destroy, kill, and wipe out all Jewish people—young and old, little children and women—all in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (called Adar), and to take all their possessions as plunder.
This verse describes the horrific decree sent throughout the Persian Empire ordering the complete extermination of all Jewish people on a single day, along with the seizure of their belongings.
📚 Historical Context
This takes place during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) of Persia around 483-473 BC. Haman, the king's chief official, had manipulated the king into issuing this genocidal decree against the Jewish people after Mordecai (Esther's cousin) refused to bow down to him. The Persian postal system was highly efficient, allowing such decrees to reach the vast empire quickly.
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