Laeuffln brangend dös Schreibn in allsand Pfintzn; und drinn hieß s, mir solleb allsand Judn, ob jung older alt, aau d Weiber und Kinder, an ainn Tag, eyn n Dreuzöntn Zwölftn, in n Ädär, dyrschlagn, dyrmorddn und ausrottn und ienern Bsiz plündern. 13a Yso glautt der Brief: "Dyr Kaiser Xerx an d Statthalter von de hundert sibnyzwainzg Pfintzn von Ind hinst Kusch und ienerne Schörgn: 13b Als Herrscher über aynn Hauffen Völker und Gebieter über de gantze Welt haan i beschlossn, und dös nit aus Überhöblichkeit und Willkür, sundern weil i ja allweil mild und güetig sein will, däß i yn meine Untertaanen Rue und Frid sichert, s Reich allnthalbn eyn d Hoeh bring, hinst eyn s lösste Ögg guete Straassn anlög und schaug, däß daa nix dyrzwischnkimmt. 13c I fraag istig aau meine Raatgöbn, was daa dyrzue ghoert; und daa haat mi dyr Hämän drauf hingwisn, däß si ayn gwisse haimtuckische Undiet unter de 13d andern Völker von dyr Erdn einhinbätzt haat, dö wo si durch ire Gsötzer selbn mit aynn iedn andern Volk anlögt. Si missachteb bständig d Anordd nungen von ünserne Künig, yso däß s Sand eyn d Verwalttung von n Reich einhinstraeut, daa wo s diend von üns aus nix haet. Önn Hämän wisstß ja, önn Zwaittn in n Reich. Er haat sein Bsunnenheit, seinn Edlmuet und sein Treu allweil wider bewisn. 13e Mir seghnd s also yso, däß dös Volk als ainzigs rund umydum grad Streit suecht, naach ganz seltsame und voglwilde Gsötzer löbt, si gögn de Beläng von ünsern Reich stöllt und de schlimmstn Misstaatn begeet, yso däß mir in n Raich auf kainn grüenen Zweig nit kemmen +künnend. 13f Und drum befelh myr: Allsand, die wo enk dyr Reichskantzler Hämän, der was üns ayn zwaitter Vater ist, in seinn Brief aufgfüert haat, sollnd eyn n vierzöntn Tag von n heurignen Ädär zamt Weib und Kind aane Gnaad schoonungsloos durch ienerne Feindd abgmurxt werdn. 13f Yso werd dös Gschwerl, dös wo allweil schoon gögn üns gwösn ist, an ainn Tag ausgrott und kan eyn d Höll abhinfarn; ünser Reich aber gaat in Zue kumft ayn bständige und ungstörte Rue gniessn."
What Does This Mean?
This verse describes a royal decree sent out to all parts of the kingdom that ordered the destruction and killing of all Jewish people, regardless of age, on a specific day. The decree also allows the taking of the Jews' possessions. No one is speaking directly in this verse, but it describes the actions of the king and his officials. The key message is the severity and scope of the threat against the Jewish people.
Explained for Children
Imagine if there was a rule in your school that said everyone with red hair had to leave on a certain day. This verse is like that, but much worse, because it's not just about leaving, but about hurting all Jewish people on a specific day. It's a very scary rule that the king made.
Historical Background
Esther 3:13 is part of the Book of Esther, which is believed to have been written around the 5th century BCE. It was written to recount the events that led to the Jewish holiday of Purim. The audience was likely the Jewish people living in Persia, and the cultural setting reflects a time when Jews faced significant persecution.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse can remind us of the importance of standing against injustice and the power of unity. For example, if you see a group being unfairly targeted at your school, it's important to speak up and work together to protect them, just as Esther worked to protect her people.
The Jewish community was targeted due to Haman's personal hatred towards Mordecai, a Jew who refused to bow to him. This led to a decree against all Jews in the kingdom.
What does this verse tell us about the power of the king?
This verse highlights the absolute power of the king, who could issue decrees that affected every province and every person within it, showcasing the immense authority he held.
How did the people respond to this decree?
The verse itself does not describe the people's response, but it sets the stage for the rest of the story where the Jews face this threat and seek ways to overcome it.
What can we learn from this verse about standing up against injustice?
This verse teaches us that injustice can affect anyone and that it is crucial to stand up against it, as the characters in the Book of Esther eventually do to protect their community.