Esther 9:6
Esther 9:6 in Multiple Translations
In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men,
And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
And in Shushan the Jews put to death five hundred men.
In the fortress of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.
And at Shushan the palace slewe the Iewes and destroyed fiue hundreth men,
and in Shushan the palace have the Jews slain and destroyed five hundred men;
In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.
And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
Insomuch that even in Susan they killed five hundred men, besides the ten sons of Aman the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews: whose names are these:
Just in Susa alone, the capital city, they killed 500 people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Esther 9:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Esther 9:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/בְ/שׁוּשַׁ֣ן
הַ/בִּירָ֗ה
הָרְג֤וּ
הַ/יְּהוּדִים֙
וְ/אַבֵּ֔ד
חֲמֵ֥שׁ
מֵא֖וֹת
אִֽישׁ
וּ/בְ/שׁוּשַׁ֣ן
Shûwshan
H7800
Susa
Conj | Prep | N-proper
הַ/בִּירָ֗ה
bîyrâh
H1002
palace
Art | N-fs
הָרְג֤וּ
hârag
H2026
to kill
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
הַ/יְּהוּדִים֙
Yᵉhûwdîy
H3064
of Judah
Art | Ngmpa
וְ/אַבֵּ֔ד
ʼâbad
H6
to perish
Conj | V-Piel-Ptc
חֲמֵ֥שׁ
châmêsh
H2568
five
Adj
מֵא֖וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
אִֽישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Esther 9:6
וּ/בְ/שׁוּשַׁ֣ן
Shûwshan
H7800
"Susa"
Conj | Prep | N-proper
Shushan refers to a place in Persia where the Persian kings lived during winter, also meaning lily. It is mentioned in the Bible as the location of important events. The city was located on the river Ulai.
Definition: Shushan or Susa = "lily" the winter residence of the Persian kings; located on the river Ulai or Choaspes Also named: shu.shan.khi (שׁוּשַׁנְכָיֵא "Susa" H7801)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: Shushan. See also: Nehemiah 1:1; Esther 8:14; Daniel 8:2.
הַ/בִּירָ֗ה
bîyrâh
H1002
"palace"
Art | N-fs
The Hebrew word for palace refers to a grand building, like King Solomon's palace in 1 Kings 7:1-12. It is a symbol of wealth and power.
Definition: 1) palace, castle 2) temple Aramaic equivalent: bi.ra (בִּירְתָא "citadel" H1001)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: palace. See also: 1 Chronicles 29:1; Esther 2:5; Daniel 8:2.
הָרְג֤וּ
hârag
H2026
"to kill"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Definition: 1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kill, slay 1a2) to destroy, ruin 1b) (Niphal) to be killed 1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:8; 2 Kings 8:12; Psalms 10:8.
הַ/יְּהוּדִים֙
Yᵉhûwdîy
H3064
"of Judah"
Art | Ngmpa
This term refers to people from the tribe of Judah, including Judah himself, who was the son of Israel and Leah. It is used to describe the descendants of Judah, who are also known as Jews.
Definition: People descended from Judah, living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.35; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); married to Bath-shua (H1323I) and Tamar (H8559); father of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209), Shelah (H7956), Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I) Group of ye.hu.dah (יְהוּדָה "Judah" H3063) § Jew
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: Jew. See also: 2 Kings 16:6; Esther 8:17; Jeremiah 32:12.
וְ/אַבֵּ֔ד
ʼâbad
H6
"to perish"
Conj | V-Piel-Ptc
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Definition: 1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) perish, die, be exterminated 1a2) perish, vanish (fig.) 1a3) be lost, strayed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate 1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.) 1b3) cause to stray, lose 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to destroy, put to death 1c1a) of divine judgment 1c2) object name of kings (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 112:10; Psalms 1:6.
חֲמֵ֥שׁ
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
מֵא֖וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
אִֽישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
Study Notes — Esther 9:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Esther 9:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Esther 9:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Esther 9:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Esther 9:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Esther 9:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Esther 9:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Esther 9:6
- Cambridge Bible on Esther 9:6
- Barnes' Notes on Esther 9:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Esther 9:6
Context — The Jews Destroy Their Enemies
4For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.
5The Jews put all their enemies to the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did as they pleased to those who hated them.
6In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men,
7including Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Esther 3:15 | The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion. |
Esther 9:6 Summary
[The Jews in the citadel of Susa killed and destroyed five hundred men because they were fighting for their lives and defending themselves against their enemies, as allowed by King Ahasuerus in Esther 8:11. This event shows that God is a God of justice and protection, who will defend His people from those who seek to harm them, as seen in Psalm 121:7-8. Just like the Jews in the citadel of Susa, we can trust in God's protection and provision, even in the midst of danger or uncertainty, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Jeremiah 29:11.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Jews in the citadel of Susa kill and destroy five hundred men?
The Jews killed and destroyed their enemies in self-defense, as authorized by King Ahasuerus, as seen in Esther 8:11, which allowed them to protect themselves from those who sought to harm them.
Was the killing of five hundred men in the citadel of Susa an act of revenge?
While it may seem like revenge, the Bible presents this as an act of self-defense, as the Jews were given permission by the king to defend themselves against their enemies, as stated in Esther 9:5, where it says they did as they pleased to those who hated them, in accordance with Esther 8:11.
How does this event relate to the broader story of Esther?
This event is a culmination of the story of Esther, where the Jewish people, through the bravery of Esther and Mordecai, were able to escape the plot of Haman to destroy them, as seen in Esther 3:6 and Esther 7:10.
What can we learn from the fact that the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men in the citadel of Susa?
We can learn that God is a God of justice and protection, who will defend His people from those who seek to harm them, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 121:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- How do you respond when faced with enemies or opposition, and what can you learn from the example of the Jews in the citadel of Susa?
- In what ways can you trust in God's protection and provision, even in the midst of danger or uncertainty, as seen in Esther 9:6 and Psalm 23:4?
- How does the story of Esther and the killing of the five hundred men in the citadel of Susa relate to the broader theme of God's sovereignty and protection, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11?
- What does this event reveal about the character of God, and how can you apply this to your own life and circumstances, as seen in Exodus 14:14 and Isaiah 41:10?
Gill's Exposition on Esther 9:6
And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Esther 9:6
And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Esther 9:6
In Shushan the palace, i.e. in the city so called, as was noted before, ; it not being probable either that they would make such a slaughter in the king’ s palace, or that they would be suffered so to do. Five hundred men; whom by long experience they knew to be their constant and inveterate enemies, and such as would watch all opportunities to destroy them; which also they might possibly now attempt to do. Part of them also might be friends and allies of Haman, and therefore the avowed enemies of Mordecai.
Trapp's Commentary on Esther 9:6
Esther 9:6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.Ver. 6. And in Shushan the palace] One would wonder that any here should offer to stir against the Jews, so much favoured by the king, patronized by Mordecai, and well appointed to withstand them. But they were mad with malice against God’ s people, and ambitious of their own destruction. Haman’ s death still sticks in their stomachs, and they resolve to be revenged, whatever it stands them in. With like stoutness of stomach it was that Jezebel painted her face, and tired her head, when Jehu was come to Jezreel, and looking out at a window, said, Had Zimri peace, &c. Herein certainly she showed her great stoutness, as if she would daunt Jehu, and out brave him in the midst of his pomp and triumph, 2 Kings 9:30-31. Divine vengeance suffereth not wicked people to rest, and to keep in their malice and mischief; but that they must break out and run headlong, like wild beasts into the hunter’ s toil, or upon the spear’ s point, whereby they perish.
Ellicott's Commentary on Esther 9:6
(6) The palace.—Doubtless the whole royal city, rather than the palace strictly so called. It is obvious that even Xerxes would hardly have allowed bloodshed, otherwise than by his direct orders, within the precincts of the palace.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Esther 9:6
Verse 6. And in Shushan] It is strange that in this city, where the king's mind must have been so well known, there should be found five hundred persons to rise up in hostility against those whom they knew the king befriended!
Cambridge Bible on Esther 9:6
6. in Shushan the palace] The word seems to have a somewhat wider sense here than earlier in the Book (see note on Esther 1:2), meaning perhaps royal city. Bloodshed within the palace proper would not have been permitted, and even in the fortress connected with it this number would scarcely have been reached.
Barnes' Notes on Esther 9:6
By “Shushan the palace (or the fort),” is probably meant the whole of the upper town, which occupied an area of more than 100 acres, and contained many residences besides the actual palace.
Whedon's Commentary on Esther 9:6
6. In Shushan the palace the Jews slew… five hundred — Shushan the palace is here evidently to be taken in the sense of the place or city of the palace, equivalent to in or at Shushan, as in Esther 9:15.