Bible Strands
Esther 8:14
The couriers rode out in haste on their royal horses, pressed on by the command of the king. And the edict was also issued in the citadel of Susa.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative describes royal couriers executing the king’s command to distribute the newly issued edict, following the directive to prepare the Jews for self-defense. This action occurs in the citadel of Susa as the king’s decree takes immediate effect.
The words — The Hebrew מְבֹהָלִ֥ים (me.vo.ha.Lim) and וּ/דְחוּפִ֖ים (u./de.chu.Fim) literally mean “hastened” and “hurried,” modifying the couriers’ departure on royal steeds. These terms emphasize the urgent execution of the royal decree at the king’s word.
The thread — The identical phrasing for couriers leaving at the king’s command and the edict’s issuance in Susa appears in Esther 3:15. The citadel of Susa is later identified as the prophet Daniel’s vision location in Daniel 8:2.
Why it lands — The text states that royal authority operates through immediate, unhesitating enforcement. It asks the reader to recognize how political power translates directly into nationwide action without delay.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
Cross-references
- Esther 3:15 The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.
- Daniel 8:2 And in the vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal.
- 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.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
- 1 Samuel 21:8 Then David asked Ahimelech, “Is there not a spear or sword on hand here? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s mission was urgent.”
- 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,
- Esther 1:2 In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa.