Esther 9:6

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,

Summary

Esther 9:6 recounts the destruction of the enemies of the Jews, but it highlights that the Jews did not lay their hands on the plunder. This verse showcases the restraint and integrity of the Jewish people in the midst of victory, reflecting their obedience to God's law. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining righteousness and not being swayed by greed or vengeance even in times of triumph. The Jews' actions in Esther 9:6 demonstrate their commitment to upholding justice and righteousness, even when faced with the temptation to act otherwise.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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!

John Gill Bible Commentary

And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. Not in the royal palace, where it cannot be thought the Jews had so many enemies, or such a bloody slaughter of them should be made there; but in the city, where the palace was: and this may seem somewhat wonderful, that there should so many rise there against the Jews, so near the court, now altogether in the interest of the Jews; but these were men no doubt of Haman's faction, and enraged at his disgrace and death, and headed by his ten sons, who took the advantage of the decree to avenge his death; the Targum says, these were princes of the house of Amalek. And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. Not in the royal palace, where it cannot be thought the Jews had so many enemies, or such a bloody slaughter of them should be made there; but in the city, where the palace was: and this may seem somewhat wonderful, that there should so many rise there against the Jews, so near the court, now altogether in the interest of the Jews; but these were men no doubt of Haman's faction, and enraged at his disgrace and death, and headed by his ten sons, who took the advantage of the decree to avenge his death; the Targum says, these were princes of the house of Amalek. Esther 9:7 est 9:7 est 9:7 est 9:7And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, and Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, and Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they,.... Along with the five hundred men, at the head of which they were: but on the spoil laid they not their hands; though they were allowed by the edict to do it, Est 8:11, but this they did not, that it might appear that they did not take away their lives from a covetous desire of their estates, but purely in self-defence; and they might do this, the more to ingratiate themselves to the king, to whom the goods and estates of those men would be confiscated.