Esther 8:1-6

The King’s Edict in Behalf of the Jews

1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her.

2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.

3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews.

4 Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.

5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces.

6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”

Esther 8:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ESTHER 8

This chapter relates the gifts Ahasuerus gave to Esther and Mordecai, Es 8:1,2, the suit Esther made to him to reverse the letters for the destruction of the Jews, Es 8:3-6, which, though it could not be formally granted, was in effect done by letters sent to the Jews, giving them power to rise in their own defence, and slay their enemies, Es 8:7-14, the consequence of which, and the advancement of Mordecai, were matter of great joy to the Jews, Es 8:15-17.

Cross References

• 1. Esther 2:7; Esther 7:6; Proverbs 22:22-23
• 2. S Genesis 24:22; S Genesis 41:42; Esther 3:10
• 3. S Genesis 41:41; Proverbs 13:22; Proverbs 14:35; Daniel 2:48
• 4. S Exodus 17:8-16
• 5. S Esther 4:11; Esther 5:2
• 6. S Esther 2:15
• 7. Genesis 44:34; Esther 7:4; Esther 9:1