Esther 8

King James Version

Full text for Esther Chapter 8

1¶ 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.

2And 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.

3¶ 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.

4Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,

5And 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:

6For 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?

7Then 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.

8Write 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.

9Then 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.

10And 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:

11Wherein 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,

12Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, [namely], upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which [is] the month Adar.

13The 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[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.

15¶ 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.

16The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

17And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Ahasuerus grants Haman's estate to Queen Esther and elevates Mordecai, giving him Haman's signet ring. Esther then tearfully pleads with the king to reverse Haman's decree against the Jews. The king grants her request, empowering Mordecai to issue a new decree allowing Jews to defend themselves against their enemies. This new edict brings great joy and honor to the Jews throughout the kingdom.

Medium Summary

Following Haman's execution, King Ahasuerus bestows Haman's house upon Queen Esther, and Mordecai is presented to the king, receiving the royal signet ring and being placed over Haman's former estate. Esther, deeply distressed, tearfully implores the king to annul Haman's wicked decree against the Jews, expressing her anguish at the thought of her people's destruction. The king, extending his scepter, grants her authority, along with Mordecai, to write a counter-decree in his name, sealed with his unchangeable ring. This new edict permits Jews in all 127 provinces to assemble, defend their lives, and destroy any who assault them on the designated day. Consequently, Mordecai departs in royal splendor, and the Jews experience widespread light, gladness, and honor, leading many Gentiles to embrace Judaism out of fear.

Long Summary

On the day of Haman's demise, King Ahasuerus transfers Haman's entire estate to Queen Esther, and Mordecai is formally introduced to the king, receiving the royal signet ring previously held by Haman. Esther subsequently appoints Mordecai to oversee Haman's former household. Still burdened by the impending threat, Esther approaches the king again, falling at his feet and tearfully imploring him to nullify Haman the Agagite's malicious plot against the Jews. The king responds by extending his golden scepter, signifying his favor. Esther then requests that a new decree be written to reverse Haman's letters, which were designed to destroy her people across all provinces. She emphasizes her inability to endure the sight of her kindred's destruction. King Ahasuerus then informs Esther and Mordecai that Haman has been hanged for his actions and grants them authority to draft a new edict in his name, sealed with his ring, which cannot be revoked. Consequently, the king's scribes are summoned on the twenty-third day of the third month, Sivan. They meticulously record Mordecai's commands, sending them to all 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia, translated into each people's language and the Jews' own script. The new letters, dispatched swiftly by riders on various animals, granted the Jews in every city the right to gather, stand for their lives, and destroy any people or province that would assault them, including women and children, and to take their spoil. This counter-attack was authorized for the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, the same day Haman's original decree was to be executed. The decree was widely published, ensuring the Jews were prepared. Mordecai then emerged from the king's presence adorned in magnificent royal blue and white apparel, a golden crown, and fine linen and purple garments, causing the city of Shushan to rejoice. Throughout all the provinces and cities where the king's decree arrived, the Jews experienced profound light, gladness, joy, and honor, celebrating with feasts and good days. Furthermore, the widespread fear of the Jews led many people of the land to convert and become Jews.

Core Concepts

  • Royal Authority and ReversalThe king's absolute power is demonstrated through his ability to transfer Haman's property, elevate Mordecai, and, crucially, authorize a new decree that countermands a previous unchangeable law. This highlights the unique nature of royal decrees in Persia, where a sealed edict could not be reversed, but a new one could grant defensive rights.
  • Esther's IntercessionQueen Esther's courageous and tearful plea before the king underscores her deep concern for her people's survival. Her willingness to risk her life again to prevent the genocide of the Jews is a pivotal act of advocacy.
  • Mordecai's ElevationMordecai's rise from a gatekeeper to a position of immense power, receiving the king's ring and being adorned in royal attire, signifies divine favor and a complete reversal of fortune for the Jewish people. He becomes the instrument through which the new decree is issued.
  • Jewish Self-DefenseThe new decree grants the Jews the unprecedented right to gather, defend themselves, and retaliate against those who seek their destruction, including taking spoil. This transforms them from passive victims into empowered defenders.
  • Widespread Joy and FearThe promulgation of the new decree brings immense joy, gladness, and honor to the Jews throughout the vast Persian Empire. This joy is contrasted with the fear that falls upon other peoples, leading many to convert to Judaism, recognizing the divine favor upon them.
  • Unchangeable Law and Counter-EdictThe chapter emphasizes the Persian legal principle that a king's sealed decree cannot be reversed. Instead of directly revoking Haman's edict, the king issues a new, equally binding decree that grants the Jews the means to survive the original one, effectively neutralizing its destructive intent.