New International Version In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. New Living Translation In the fortress of Susa itself, the Jews killed 500 men. English Standard Version In Susa the citadel itself the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men, Berean Standard Bible In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, Berean Literal Bible And in Susa the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. King James Bible And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. New King James Version And in Shushan the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. New American Standard Bible At the citadel in Susa the Jews killed and eliminated five hundred men, NASB 1995 At the citadel in Susa the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, NASB 1977 And in Susa the capital the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, Legacy Standard Bible And at the citadel in Susa the Jews killed and caused to perish 500 men, Amplified Bible At the citadel in Susa the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, Berean Annotated Bible In the citadel of Susa (lily), the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, Christian Standard Bible In the fortress of Susa the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, Holman Christian Standard Bible In the fortress of Susa the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men, American Standard Version And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. English Revised Version And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. GOD'S WORD® Translation In the fortress of Susa the Jews killed and wiped out 500 men. Good News Translation In Susa, the capital city itself, the Jews killed five hundred people. International Standard Version In Susa the capital the Jewish people killed and destroyed 500 people. NET Bible In Susa the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. New Heart English Bible In the citadel of Shushan, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. Webster's Bible Translation And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIn the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men, World English Bible In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand in Shushan the palace the Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men; Berean Literal Bible And in Susa the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. Young's Literal Translation and in Shushan the palace have the Jews slain and destroyed five hundred men; Smith's Literal Translation And in Shushan the fortress the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleInsomuch 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: Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible In the royal precinct of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred people. New Revised Standard Version In the citadel of Susa the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred people. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated In Shushan the Palace the Jews killed five hundred men. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And in Shushan the castle the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. Brenton Septuagint Translation And in the city Susa the Jews slew five hundred men: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Jews Destroy Their Enemies…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,… Cross References In the citadel of Susa, Esther 2:3 and let the king appoint commissioners in each province of his kingdom to assemble all the beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the women, and let them be given beauty treatments. Esther 1:2 In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa. Nehemiah 1:1 These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed Esther 8:11 By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to plunder their possessions. Esther 3:13 And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month. 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” five hundred men, 2 Chronicles 13:17-18 Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain. / Thus the Israelites were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers. 2 Samuel 23:8 These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time. Judges 20:35 The LORD defeated Benjamin in the presence of Israel, and on that day the Israelites slaughtered 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords. Esther 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided. Esther 2:5-6 Now there was at the citadel of Susa a Jewish man from the tribe of Benjamin named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish. / He had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon among those taken captive with Jeconiah king of Judah. Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 5:14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows fifty cubits high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.” The advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows constructed. Esther 6:13 Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is Jewish, you will not prevail against him—for surely you will fall before him.” Esther 7:4 For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king.” Esther 8:17 In every province and every city, wherever the king’s edict and decree reached, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them. Treasury of Scripture And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. Shushan. Esther 3:15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed. Jump to Previous Capital Castle Citadel Death Destroyed Five Fortress Hundred Itself Jews Killed Palace Shushan Slain Slew SusaJump to Next Capital Castle Citadel Death Destroyed Five Fortress Hundred Itself Jews Killed Palace Shushan Slain Slew SusaEsther 9 1. The Jews slay their enemies, with the ten sons of Haman.12. Xerxes, at the request of Esther, 14. grants another day of slaughter, and Haman's sons to be hanged. 20. The two days of Purim are instituted. In the citadel of Susa, In the citadel of Susa, one of Persia’s principal capitals, opposition to the Jews was especially concentrated near the center of imperial power. The setting underscores both the reach of the crisis and the public nature of the Jews’ deliverance. Est 2:3 and let the king appoint commissioners… the Jews killed and destroyed Under the king’s counterdecree, the Jews in Susa defended themselves against those who still sought their harm. They killed and destroyed five hundred enemies but did not take plunder. Est 8:11 By these letters the king permitted the Jews… five hundred men, Five hundred men were killed in Susa on the first day of conflict. This number reflects the serious resistance within the capital while showing that the Jews’ actions were directed against those who threatened them. 2Ch 13:17-18 Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow,… Persons / Places / Events 1. The JewsThe Jewish people living in the Persian Empire who were under threat due to Haman's decree but were granted the right to defend themselves by a subsequent decree from King Xerxes, influenced by Queen Esther and Mordecai. 2. The Citadel of Susa The fortified palace complex in the city of Susa, which was one of the capitals of the Persian Empire. It served as the setting for much of the Book of Esther. 3. The Event of Defense This verse describes the Jews' defense against their enemies, which was part of a larger event where they were allowed to protect themselves from those who sought to harm them. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in DeliveranceThe events in Esther 9:6 highlight God's providential care and deliverance of His people. Even when situations seem dire, God is at work behind the scenes to protect and preserve His people. The Right to Self-Defense The Jews' actions in Susa demonstrate the biblical principle of self-defense. While Christians are called to live peaceably, there is a time when defending oneself and one's community is necessary and justified. The Consequences of Sin The conflict with Haman, a descendant of the Amalekites, serves as a reminder of the long-term consequences of disobedience to God's commands, as seen in Saul's incomplete obedience. The Importance of Community The collective action of the Jews in Susa underscores the strength found in community and unity. Believers are encouraged to stand together in times of trial and opposition. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Esther 9:6?2. How does Esther 9:6 demonstrate God's justice through the Jews' victory in Susa? 3. What lessons on courage and faith can we learn from Esther 9:6? 4. How does Esther 9:6 connect to God's covenant promises to Israel? 5. How can we apply the principle of righteous defense from Esther 9:6 today? 6. In what ways does Esther 9:6 encourage us to trust in God's protection? 7. Why did the Jews kill 500 men in Susa according to Esther 9:6? 8. How does Esther 9:6 align with the concept of divine justice? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Esther 9:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Esther 9? (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.Verse 6. - In Shushan the palace. i.e. the upper city, where the palace was. The area of the hill is above a hundred acres, and there are many remains of residences on it besides the palace. It was probably densely peopled. Esther 9:6 records a decisive moment in which God turns a royal stronghold of persecution into a showcase of His providence. Within the citadel of Susa, the Jews—armed by royal decree—lawfully defend themselves, eliminating 500 aggressors. The verse affirms that: • God rules over every seat of earthly power. • He vindicates His covenant people and repays evil justly. • Even in judgment, His hand restrains and directs events with precision. Believers today can rest assured that the same sovereign Lord guards His people, overturns hostile schemes, and fulfills every promise of His unerring Word. Hebrew In the citadelהַבִּירָ֗ה (hab·bî·rāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1002: A castle, palace of Susa, וּבְשׁוּשַׁ֣ן (ū·ḇə·šū·šan) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7800: Susa -- residence of person kings the Jews הַיְּהוּדִים֙ (hay·yə·hū·ḏîm) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3064: Jews -- Jewish killed הָרְג֤וּ (hā·rə·ḡū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent and destroyed וְאַבֵּ֔ד (wə·’ab·bêḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish five חֲמֵ֥שׁ (ḥă·mêš) Number - feminine singular construct Strong's 2568: Five hundred מֵא֖וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ) Number - feminine plural Strong's 3967: A hundred men, אִֽישׁ׃ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person Additonal Resources Esther 9:6 Blue Letter BibleEsther 9:6 Bible Gateway Esther 9:6 Bible.com Esther 9:6 NIV |



