Esther 8

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes Codex Leningradensis (1008).[5][lower-alpha 1]

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^S; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^A; 5th century).[7]

On that day King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her.[9]

The king may see the giving of Haman's house to Esther as suitable compensation because Haman has wronged her in two ways:

1. plotting her death, along with the death of her people
2. attacking her person in the second banquet.[10]

And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai.

And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.[11]

The second part of verse 2 displays a shift of the focus to Esther, as she is now the one who makes decisions.[12]

Then Esther spoke again to the king and fell down at his feet and begged him with tears to avert the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme that he had devised against the Jews.[13]

The change of tone of Esther's petition before the king indicates her awareness that the gift of Haman's house to her and the signet ring to Mordecai won't do any good after the thirteenth of Adar as long as the decree to annihilate the Jews still stands.[12] Esther only mentioned Haman as the sole enemy of the Jews (cf. Esther 7:4) and avoided implicating the king in this plot.[14]

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?[15]

Esther used the same two terms — 'people' and 'kindred' as she reversed the act of concealing her identity previously in Esther 2:10, when she entered the harem.[8]

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.[16]

• "As it liketh you": from Hebrew: "as is good in your eyes."[17]

So the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day; and it was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces in all, to every province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.[18]

• "The month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day": Two months and ten days since Haman's edict to wipe out the Jews (cf. Esther 3:12).[19]

By these letters the king permitted the Jews who were in every city to gather together and protect their lives—to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them, both little children and women, and to plunder their possessions,[20]

This second edict can be compared and contrasted to the first one as recorded in Esther 3:13:[21]

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.[22]

• "Shushan": or "Susa".[23]

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.[24]

This verse can be compared and contrasted to Esther 3:15:[25]