Esther 8:6

6 For how shall I be able to look upon the affliction of my people, and how shall I be able to survive the destruction of my kindred?

Esther 8:6 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 8:6

For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my
people?
&c.] I cannot bear it; it will break my heart; I shall die to see all my people massacred throughout the realm; the thought of it is shocking and shuddering; to see it, intolerable: or "how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?" the same thing in different words, and somewhat more express and explanative. She explains the evil coming upon her people of the utter destruction of them, not barely an oppression, but an extermination of them; and she makes use of a word expressive of their relation to her, as more endearing, being her kindred; she and they being, as it were, of the same family, and with whom she could not but sympathize in distress.

Esther 8:6 In-Context

4 Then the king stretched out to Esther the golden sceptre: and Esther arose to stand near the king.

5 And Esther said, If it seem good to thee, and I have found favour , let an order be sent that the letters sent by Aman may be reversed, that were written for the destruction of the Jews, who are in thy kingdom.

6 For how shall I be able to look upon the affliction of my people, and how shall I be able to survive the destruction of my kindred?

7 And the king said to Esther, If I have given and freely granted thee all that was Aman's, and hanged him on a gallows, because he laid his hands upon the Jews, what dost thou yet further seek?

8 Write ye also in my name, as it seems good to you, and seal with my ring: for whatever are written at the command of the king, and sealed with my ring, it is not lawful to gainsay them.

Footnotes

• [a]. country.