Esther 3:12 — English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website
The king sent for the royal secretaries. It was the 13th day of the first month. The secretaries wrote down all of Haman's orders. They wrote them down in the writing of each territory in the kingdom. They also wrote them in the language of each nation. The orders were sent to the royal officials. They were also sent to the governors of the territories. And they went out to the nobles of the nations. The orders were written in the name of King Xerxes himself. And they were stamped with his own royal seal.
What Does This Mean?
This verse describes how the king's scribes wrote and sent out orders according to Haman's commands. The orders were sent to all parts of the kingdom and in the languages of each region. The king's seal was used to make the orders official.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing a game where the teacher writes a note, and then everyone in your class gets a copy of that note in their own language. In this story, the king's helpers wrote a big, important note, and they sent it to everyone in his kingdom, just like your teacher might send a note to all your parents.
Historical Background
The book of Esther was written during the Persian period, likely around the 5th century BC, to recount events that led to the Jewish holiday of Purim. This verse describes a critical moment where the king's orders, influenced by Haman, were sent out across the kingdom, setting the stage for a dramatic turn of events.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse can remind us about the power of communication and the impact of our words. Just as the king's orders could affect many lives, our decisions and communications can have significant consequences for others around us.
