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The king makes another law

8 That day, King Xerxes took everything that had belonged to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. He gave it all to Queen Esther. Esther told the king that Mordecai was her cousin.

So Mordecai came to meet the king. ² The king had taken back his special ring from Haman. Now he took it off his own finger and he gave it to Mordecai. And Esther gave Mordecai authority over all the things that had belonged to Haman.

³ Then Esther went again to speak to the king. She threw herself down at his feet and she wept. She wanted him to stop Haman's evil idea to kill all the Jews. ⁴ The king held out his gold sceptre towards Esther. So she stood up to speak to the king.

⁵ Esther said to the king, ‘I hope that I have pleased the king. If you agree, and if you are pleased with me, please make another law. Stop the command that Haman, the descendant of Agag, wrote. He sent letters to all the regions of your kingdom, because he wanted to destroy all the Jewish people. ⁶ I cannot let this evil thing happen to my relatives. I have to do something to stop it.’

⁷ King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai, ‘You are right! I have already punished Haman with death because he wanted to destroy the Jews. I have also given all of his things to Esther. ⁸ Now you must use my authority to write another law. Write a law that you think will save your people. Then mark the letters with my special ring. Any letter that has my name and the mark of my ring on it has the king's authority. Nobody can ever change it.’

⁹ They called the king's secretaries to come and write the new law. They did that on the 23rd day of the third month (Sivan). Mordecai told them what to write. They sent the letters to the Jews, the rulers and the officers in all the regions of the kingdom. There were 127 regions, from India as far as Ethiopia. They wrote the letters in the languages that people spoke in each region. They also wrote to the Jews in their own language. Everyone would know what the new law said. ¹⁰ Mordecai used King Xerxes' authority to write the letters. He made a mark on the letters with the king's special ring. Men who rode on the king's fastest horses quickly took the letters everywhere in the kingdom.

¹¹ The king's new law said this: The Jewish people who lived in every city could fight against anyone who attacked them. They could join together to keep themselves safe. If an army of any kind attacked them, the Jews could kill and destroy them completely, as well as their women and children. They could take away their enemies' things for themselves. ^{[ a ]} ¹² The law said that the Jews in all the regions of the kingdom could do this on one day. That day was the 13th day of the 12th month (Adar). ^{[ b ]} ¹³ A copy of the law would go to every region of the kingdom, so that everyone would know what the law said. Then the Jews would be ready on the right day to punish their enemies.

¹⁴ The king told his officers that they must ride quickly on the royal horses to take the letters to every region. His officers also read the law aloud to the people in Susa city.

¹⁵ Then Mordecai left the king's palace. He was wearing royal clothes that were purple and white. He had a large gold crown on his head. He wore a beautiful coat made from purple linen. The people in Susa city shouted with joy because of the new law.

¹⁶ All the Jews were very happy. Everyone respected them and gave them honour. ¹⁷ When the new law reached every region and every city, the Jews became very happy. The other people who lived there were now afraid of the Jews. Because of that, many people said that they themselves had become Jews.

Footnotes

8:11 This new law was the opposite to the law that Haman had made. See Esther 3:13 .
8:12 That was the same day that Haman had wanted to kill all the Jews.

The King’s Order to Help the Jews

8 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther everything that belonged to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Esther told the king that Mordecai was her cousin. Then Mordecai came to see the king. ² The king had gotten his ring back from Haman. The king took the ring off his finger and gave it to Mordecai. Then Esther put Mordecai in charge of everything that belonged to Haman.

³ Then Esther spoke to the king again. She fell at the king’s feet and began crying. She begged the king to cancel the evil plan of Haman the Agagite. Haman had thought up the plan to hurt the Jews.

⁴ Then the king held out the gold scepter to Esther. Esther got up and stood in front of the king. ⁵ Then she said, “King, if you like me and if it pleases you, please do this for me. Please do this if you think it is a good idea. If the king is happy with me, please write a command that would stop the command Haman sent out. Haman the Agagite thought of a plan to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces, and he sent out commands for this to happen. ⁶ I am begging the king because I could not bear to see these terrible things happen to my people. I could not bear to see my family killed.”

⁷ King Xerxes answered Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman was against the Jews, I have given his property to Esther. And my soldiers have hanged him on the hanging post. ⁸ Now write another command by the authority of the king. Write it to help the Jews in a way that seems best to you. Then seal the order with the king’s special ring. No official letter written by the authority of the king and sealed with the king’s ring can be canceled.”

⁹ Very quickly the king’s secretaries were called. This was done on the 23rd day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all of Mordecai’s commands to the Jews, and to the satraps, the governors, and officials of the 127 provinces. These provinces reached from India to Ethiopia. The commands were written in the language of each province and translated into the language of each group of people. The commands were written to the Jews in their own language and alphabet. ¹⁰ Mordecai wrote commands by the authority of King Xerxes. Then he sealed the letters with the king’s ring and sent them by messengers on horses. The messengers rode fast horses, which were raised especially for the king.

¹¹ The king’s commands in the letters said this: The Jews in every city have the right to gather together to protect themselves. They have the right to ruin, kill, and completely destroy any army from any group who might attack them and their women and children. And the Jews have the right to take and destroy the property of their enemies.

¹² The day set for the Jews to do this was the 13th day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. They were permitted to do this in all King Xerxes’ provinces. ¹³ A copy of the letter with the king’s command was to be sent out. It became a law in every province. They announced it to all the people of every nation living in the kingdom. They did this so that the Jews would be ready for that special day. They would be allowed to pay their enemies back. ¹⁴ The messengers hurried out, riding on the king’s horses. The king commanded them to hurry. And the command was also put in the capital city of Susa.

¹⁵ Mordecai left the king. He was wearing special clothes from the king. His clothes were blue and white, and he had on a large gold crown. He also had a purple robe made of the best linen. There was a special celebration in Susa. The people were very happy. ¹⁶ It was an especially happy day for the Jews, a day of great joy and happiness.

¹⁷ Wherever the king’s command went in every province and every city, there was joy and gladness among the Jews. They were having parties and celebrating. Many of the common people from other groups became Jews. They did this because they were very afraid of the Jews.

8 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 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.

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.

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

⁵ And said, If it please the king, and if I have 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 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?

⁷ 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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

¹⁷ 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.

Mordecai Promoted

8 On that day King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, ^{( A )} the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther; and Mordecai came before the king, because Esther had disclosed ^{( B )} what he was to her. ² Then ^{( C )} the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken away from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

³ Then Esther spoke again ^{[ a ]} to the king, fell at his feet, wept, and pleaded for his compassion to avert the evil scheme of Haman the Agagite and his plot which he had devised against the Jews. ⁴ And ^{( D )} the king extended the golden scepter to Esther. So Esther got up and stood before the king. ⁵ Then she said, “ ^{( E )} If it pleases the king and if I have found favor before him, and the matter seems proper to the king and I am pleasing in his sight, let it be written to revoke the ^{( F )} letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to eliminate the Jews who are in all the king’s provinces. ⁶ For ^{( G )} how can I endure to see the disaster which will happen to my people, and how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?” ⁷ So King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Behold, ^{( H )} I have given the house of Haman to Esther, and they have hanged him on the wooden gallows because he had reached out with his hand against the Jews.

The King’s Decree Avenges the Jews

⁸ Now you write to the Jews ^{[ b ]} as you see fit, in the king’s name, and ^{( I )} seal it with the king’s signet ring; for a decree which is written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s signet ring ^{( J )} may not be revoked.”

⁹ ^{( K )} So the king’s scribes were summoned at that time in the third month (that is, the month Sivan), on the twenty-third ^{[ c ]} day; and it was written in accordance with everything that Mordecai commanded the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the officials of the provinces which extended ^{( L )} from India to ^{[ d ]} Cush, 127 provinces, to ^{( M )} every province according to its script, and to every people according to their language, as well as to the Jews according to their script and their language. ¹⁰ He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on ^{( N )} horses, riding on royal relay horses, offspring of racing mares. ¹¹ ^{[ e ]} In the letters the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right ^{( O )} to assemble and to defend their lives, ^{( P )} to destroy, kill, and eliminate the entire army of any people or province which was going to attack them, including children and women, and ^{( Q )} to plunder their spoils, ¹² on ^{( R )} one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar). ¹³ ^{( S )} A copy of the edict to be ^{[ f ]} issued as law in each and every province was published to all the peoples, so that the Jews would be ready for this day to avenge themselves on their enemies. ¹⁴ The couriers, hurrying and speeded by the king’s command, left, riding on the royal relay horses; and the decree was issued at the citadel in Susa.

¹⁵ Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king ^{( T )} in a royal robe of violet and white, with a large crown of gold and ^{( U )} a garment of fine linen and purple; and ^{( V )} the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. ¹⁶ For the Jews there was ^{( W )} light, joy, jubilation, and honor. ¹⁷ In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree arrived, there was joy and jubilation for the Jews, a feast and a ^{[ g ]} ^{( X )} holiday. And ^{( Y )} many among the peoples of the land ^{[ h ]} became Jews, because the dread of the Jews had fallen on them.

Footnotes

Esther 8:3 Lit before
Esther 8:8 Lit according to the good in your eyes
Esther 8:9 Lit in it
Esther 8:9 Or Ethiopia
Esther 8:11 Lit Which the king
Esther 8:13 Lit given
Esther 8:17 Lit good day
Esther 8:17 Or posed as Jews

The King’s Edict in Behalf of the Jews

8 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, ^{( A )} 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, ^{( B )} which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate. ^{( C )}

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, ^{( D )} which he had devised against the Jews. ⁴ Then the king extended the gold scepter ^{( E )} to Esther and she arose and stood before him.

⁵ “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor ^{( F )} 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?” ^{( G )}

⁷ King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled ^{( H )} him on the pole he set up. ⁸ Now write another decree ^{( I )} in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal ^{( J )} it with the king’s signet ring ^{( K )} —for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.” ^{( L )}

⁹ At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. ^{[ a ]} ^{( M )} These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language. ^{( N )} ¹⁰ Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.

¹¹ The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, ^{[ b ]} and to plunder ^{( O )} the property of their enemies. ¹² The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. ^{( P )} ¹³ A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day ^{( Q )} to avenge themselves on their enemies.

¹⁴ The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. ^{( R )}

The Triumph of the Jews

¹⁵ When Mordecai ^{( S )} left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold ^{( T )} and a purple robe of fine linen. ^{( U )} And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. ^{( V )} ¹⁶ For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, ^{( W )} gladness and honor. ^{( X )} ¹⁷ In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy ^{( Y )} and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear ^{( Z )} of the Jews had seized them. ^{( AA )}

Footnotes

Esther 8:9 That is, the upper Nile region
Esther 8:11 Or province, together with their women and children, who might attack them;

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Table of Contents

The king makes another law

Footnotes

The King’s Order to Help the Jews

Mordecai Promoted

The King’s Decree Avenges the Jews

Footnotes

Cross references

The King’s Edict in Behalf of the Jews

The Triumph of the Jews

Footnotes

Cross references

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BibleStudyIt Esther 8

Esther 8's Chapter Tabs Scroll past these tabs to continue or click on one of them to navigate out of this webpage.

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The king makes another law

Footnotes

The King’s Order to Help the Jews

Mordecai Promoted

The King’s Decree Avenges the Jews

Footnotes

Cross references

The King’s Edict in Behalf of the Jews

The Triumph of the Jews

Footnotes

Cross references

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