Esther 8

Esther 8:1

MOrdecai came before the king] That is, was received into the kings favour and presence, and was made one of those princes spoken of, chap. 1. 14.

Esther had told what he was unto her] That he was her uncle, and had brought her up, chap. 2. 5, 7.

Esther 8:2

which he had taken from Haman] It seems, chap. 3. 10, 12. that Haman was keeper of the kings seal, which office now is bestowed on Mordecai: or, which he had formerly delivered to Haman for expediting the busines against the Jews, chap. 3. 10.

Esther 8:3

and besought him with tears] Heb. and she wept and besought him:

to put away the mischief] By abolishing the wicked decrees which he had made for the destruction of the Jews.

Esther 8:4

Then the king held out] Or, For when the king had held out. the golden scepter] Read chap. 5. 2.

So Esther] Or, Then Esther.

Esther 8:5

the letters devised] Heb. the device.

which he wrote] Or, who wrote.

Esther 8:6

endure to see] Heb. be able that I may see.

unto my people] Chap. 7. 4.

Esther 8:7

because he laid his hand upon the Jews] He intended so to do, and had gotten a decree to kill them, chap. 2. 21.

Esther 8:8

for the writing which is written in the kings name] Others read it, but the writing, &c. That is, I cannot reverse a law sealed with the kings seal (Daniel 6:15.) but I give you power to make another decree in favour of them, that they stand on their guard, and slay their enemies. This seems to be right, because in the new decree, v. 11. no man is commanded to assist them, nor forbidden to set upon them; both which, doubtlesse, Mordecai would have inserted, if he had durst: and the assistance the rulers gave the Jews was not by the kings decree, but for fear of Mordecai. See chap. 9. 3.

may no man reverse] See chap. 1. 19. The king did as good as revoke the decree for Esthers sake. This shews his great love to her, and Gods speciall providence over his people.

Esther 8:9

the moneth Sivan] Which containeth part of May, and part of June.

according to the writing thereof] That is, in such letters and language as was usuall in every province, chap. 3. 12.

Esther 8:10

in the king Ahasuerus name] 1 Kings 21:8.

Esther 8:11

to stand for their life] That is, to defend themselves against all that would assail them.

Esther 8:12

upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth moneth] The same day they should have been destroyed, chap. 3. 13.

moneth Adar] Which containeth part of February, and part of March.

Esther 8:13

published] Heb. revealed.

to avenge themselves on their enemies] The king gave them liberty to kill all that did assault them, as v. 11.

Esther 8:14

the decree was given at Shushan the palace] Proclaimed, and set up for all men to read. See chap. 9. 14.

Esther 8:15

blue] Or, violet.

and was glad] Contrary to their sorrow, chap. 3. 15.

Esther 8:16

and joy] He sheweth by these words that follow, what this light was, to wit, joy, from this new decree, which cheared their hearts, as the light of the sun did their eyes, Psalms 18:28. and Psalms 97:11. This is to be understood of the Jews in Shushan, chap. 3. 25. Others are spoken of, v. 17.

Esther 8:17

became Jews] They conformed themselves to the Jews religion, if not for love, yet for fear.

for the fear of the Jews] Chap. 9. 3. Because they were afraid lest the Jews should kill them.