Definition: And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, [even] upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which [is] the month Adar, and [to take] the spoil of them for a prey.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Esther 3:13. It's a really dramatic and terrifying prophecy about a devastating event in ancient Persia. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a plan to systematically destroy all of the Jewish people – young and old, rich and poor, men and women – all at once, within just one day. It's a terrifyingly swift and brutal attack. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Esther 3:13” : This is the verse itself, coming from a story in Jewish tradition about a queen named Esther. “And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces…” : Imagine a network of messengers – postmen – traveling across all the kingdoms and territories under the rule of King Darius. These messengers are tasked with delivering a message to everyone. “…to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish…” : This is the core of the warning. The letters aren’t just sending information; they're actively trying to harm the Jewish people. It means they’re deliberately setting out to eliminate them. “Destroy” implies annihilation – complete erasure from existence. "Kill" refers to violence and suffering. "Cause to perish" is a euphemism for death, but it suggests a profound loss of everything good. “all Jews, both young and old, little children and women…” : This highlights the wide-ranging devastation. It’s not just a select few; everyone within the Jewish community is at risk. It's targeting all levels of society – from infants to elders, men to women. “…in one day, [even] upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which [is] the month Adar…” : This is crucial. “One day” means it’s happening very quickly . “The thirteenth day of the twelfth month” specifically refers to the month of Adar, which was a significant Jewish festival. It's saying this event will occur on the very last day of Adar. “…which [is] the month Adar…” : This confirms it’s happening during the time of Adar – a crucial time in Jewish tradition for repentance and remembrance. "...and to take the spoil of them for a prey." : This is the most chilling part. "Take the spoils" means destroy them completely, leaving nothing behind. It's not just about inflicting pain; it’s about rendering them utterly useless. In essence, this verse paints a picture of a catastrophic event designed to eliminate the Jewish people as a whole. It’s a powerful example of a prophecy used to warn about danger and to emphasize the importance of vigilance against evil. Important Note: This is a very dramatic passage in ancient texts. The exact meaning and intent behind it are debated among scholars, but it's generally understood as a warning about the potential for great destruction and rebellion. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to other stories or themes in the Bible?