Esther 8

Chapter Overview

What happens in Esther 8

The king gives Haman's property to Esther and his signet ring to Mordecai. Since the first decree against the Jews cannot be reversed, a new decree is written allowing the Jews to defend themselves. Joy spreads throughout the empire.

Scripture

Mordecai Is Honored

Study note

The king gave Haman's entire estate to Esther and transferred Haman's authority to Mordecai by giving him the royal signet ring. This ring had previously been used to seal the decree against the Jews.

1 That same day, King Xerxes gave Haman's whole estate to Queen Esther. Mordecai was also brought before the king. Esther had told the king that Mordecai was her relative. On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.

2 The king removed his signet ring -- the one he had reclaimed from Haman -- and gave it to Mordecai. Esther then placed Mordecai in charge of managing Haman's entire estate. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

Esther Pleads for Her People

Study note

Even though Haman was dead, his decree to destroy the Jews was still in effect. Under Persian law, no royal decree sealed with the king's ring could be reversed. Esther risked approaching the king again to find a solution.

3 But Esther was not finished. She went before the king once more, fell at his feet crying, and begged him to undo the terrible plot that Haman the Agagite had set in motion against the Jews. And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.

4 The king extended the golden scepter toward Esther. She stood up and faced him. Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,

5 She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor with you, and if you believe this is the right thing to do, please issue a written order. This order should cancel the letters that Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite wrote. He had ordered the destruction of Jews throughout all the king's provinces." And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:

6 "How could I possibly stand by and watch my people be destroyed? How could I bear to see my own family wiped out?" For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?

The New Decree

Study note

Since the first decree could not be canceled, the king allowed Mordecai to write a second decree giving the Jews the right to defend themselves. The new letters were sent out on fast horses, mules, and camels to reach all 127 provinces in time.

7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew. He said, "I have already given Esther everything Haman owned. Haman himself has been hanged on the gallows. This was because he plotted to destroy the Jews." Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.

8 "Now draft a new decree on behalf of the Jews, write it in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring. A document written in the king's name and sealed with the king's ring is permanent and cannot be overturned." Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.

9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the twenty-third day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, a hundred and twenty-seven provinces, to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

10 Mordecai wrote the letters in King Xerxes' name. He sealed them with the king's signet ring. Then he sent them out by mounted riders on the fastest horses available. They rode royal stallions, mules, and camels. And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:

11 The king's new order gave Jews in every city the right to band together. They could arm themselves and fight back. They could destroy any armed force that came at them. This went for any people or land that struck them. They could also seize their goods. Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,

12 This would all happen on one day across the whole kingdom: the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

13 Copies of the decree were to be publicly proclaimed as law in every province so that all peoples would know about it. The Jews were to be ready on that day to defend themselves against their enemies. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

14 The mounted couriers on mules and camels galloped out at top speed, spurred on by the king's urgent command. The decree was also announced at the palace in Susa. 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.

Joy Throughout the Empire

Study note

Mordecai left the palace wearing royal robes of blue and white with a gold crown. The city of Susa, which had been confused and distressed by the first decree, now celebrated. Many people throughout the empire became Jewish because they saw how the Jews were being protected.

15 Mordecai walked out of the king's presence wearing beautiful royal robes of blue and white. He had a large gold crown on his head and a fine linen cloak of purple. The whole city of Susa burst into cheers and celebration. And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

16 For the Jewish people, it was a time of brilliant light and overwhelming gladness, pure joy and deep honor. The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

17 The new order reached every land and every city. Jews held feasts and parties. Joy and gladness spread fast. Many non-Jews even became Jews. The Jewish people now awed them deeply. And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

Key Themes

Themes in Esther 8

God turns mourning into joyNew decrees that reverse the power of old onesAdvocacy for the vulnerableCelebration when God's deliverance is announced

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Esther 8:16-17 Acts 2:41-47

The Jews' transformation from grief to joy, from mourning to celebration, as deliverance spread throughout the empire, mirrors the explosive joy of the early church after Pentecost, when many were added to the community of believers and 'gladness and generosity of heart' marked their life together.

Apply This Today

Living Esther 8

The old decree of destruction could not be erased, but a new decree gave God's people the right to defend themselves and triumph. In the same way, God does not always remove the threats we face — but He gives us the authority and power to overcome them.

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