This verse from Esther 8:13 is a pivotal point in the story of Esther and describes the public announcement of the new decree reversing the earlier one that authorized the destruction of the Jews. Let's break down its meaning:
"A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province...": This emphasizes the widespread distribution of the revised royal decree. The importance of publicizing the decree throughout the vast Persian empire is that everyone should be made aware of the change, so that no one should be able to claim ignorance of the new law.
"...was published to all the peoples...": It was made clear to all the people in the provinces the change had come from the king.
"...that the Jews should be ready for that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.": This is the most significant part. The new decree now granted the Jews permission to defend themselves and, if necessary, retaliate against those who sought to harm them. Instead of being victims, they were now empowered to become active participants in their own defense. The phrase "avenge themselves" implies that they could inflict harm upon those who planned to destroy them.
In Essence:
This verse announces that the King's decree was distributed everywhere so that Jews now had legal authorization to defend themselves on the appointed day against those who planned to attack them, turning the tables on their enemies. It sets the stage for the events of the following chapters, where the Jews successfully defended themselves and even defeated their enemies.
This verse from Esther 8:13 is a pivotal point in the story of Esther and describes the public announcement of the new decree reversing the earlier one that authorized the destruction of the Jews. Let's break down its meaning:
"A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province...": This emphasizes the widespread distribution of the revised royal decree. The importance of publicizing the decree throughout the vast Persian empire is that everyone should be made aware of the change, so that no one should be able to claim ignorance of the new law.
"...was published to all the peoples...": It was made clear to all the people in the provinces the change had come from the king.
"...that the Jews should be ready for that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.": This is the most significant part. The new decree now granted the Jews permission to defend themselves and, if necessary, retaliate against those who sought to harm them. Instead of being victims, they were now empowered to become active participants in their own defense. The phrase "avenge themselves" implies that they could inflict harm upon those who planned to destroy them.
In Essence:
This verse announces that the King's decree was distributed everywhere so that Jews now had legal authorization to defend themselves on the appointed day against those who planned to attack them, turning the tables on their enemies. It sets the stage for the events of the following chapters, where the Jews successfully defended themselves and even defeated their enemies.