Bible Commentaries
Esther 8

Verse 1

On that day. Contrast "On that night", Esther 6:1 .

the Jews' enemy. See note on Esther 3:10 .

Verse 2

gave it unto Mordecai. Compare Esther 3:10 . Note how God honoured godly Jews in foreign courts: Joseph next to Pharaoh; Moses the heir to the throne of Egypt; Daniel next to Darius in Babylon; Mordecai next to Astyages in Shushan.

over the house of Hainan. Wonderful retribution.

Verse 3

mischief. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 . Same word as "evil", Esther 7:7 .

Haman the Agagite. See notes on Esther 2:5 with Esther 3:1 .

Verse 5

If it please the king. Note the Alternation in this verse: The king. "If it please the king. "Esther. "And if I have found favour. "The king. "And . . . before the king. "Esther. "And I be pleasing in his eyes. "

the Jews. Some codices, with Aram, and Syriac, read "all the Jews".

Verse 6

evil. Same word as "mischief", Esther 8:3 .

Verse 7

gallows. See note on Esther 5:14 .

Verse 8

liketh = pleaseth. Compare Esther 3:11 .

may no man reverse. But Compare Esther 3:12 , and see App-23 .

Verse 9

commanded unto = charged. Hebrew. zavah. See note on "law", Esther 3:2 .

Verse 10

posts on horseback = couriers on horseback. Haman's "posts" were runners on foot (Esther 3:13 , Esther 3:15 ), hut speed was now essential. See Esther 9:1 .

Verse 11

their life = themselves. Hebrew. nephesh.

destroy . . . slay . . . perish. Figure of speech Synonymia , for emphasis. See note on Esther 3:13 .

power = force. Hebrew. hayil, as in Esther 1:3 . Not shalat = mastery, as in Esther 9:1 ; or tokeph = authority, as in Esther 9:29 .

little ones. These were spared, notwithstanding. Compare Esther 9:6 .

Verse 12

thirteenth. See note on Esther 3:12 .

Verse 13

a commandment = an imperial decree.

people = the peoples.

Verse 14

hastened. Hebrew. bahal. See note on Esther 6:10 .

commandment = word. Hebrew. dabar. See note on Esther 1:12 .

decree. See note on Esther 2:8 .

Verse 16

light. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for joy.

Verse 17

became Jews = made common cause with the Jews.