Ester 8
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Ester 8:1-2
8:1 "On that day King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews" It was a common practice during the Persian period for the property of condemned people to revert to the crown (cf. Herodotus, Hist. 3.128-129). The King gave Haman's property to Esther because he was her enemy also. ▣ "for Esther had disclosed what he was to her" This could refer to their racial connection (cf. Esth. 6:10 and 7:3-4) or Esther may have shared more about Mordecai with the king (cf. Esth. 2:5-7). The context implies the second option. 8:2 "The king took off his signet ring. . .and gave it to Mordecai" Mordecai assumed the role of the second-in-charge (like Joseph, cf. Esth. 10:3), which had once been assigned to Haman. This was symbolized by the king's own signet ring. There is significant parallelism between Esther 3 and 8. ▣ "Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman" This refers to his property, which must have been extensive. The king gave it to Esther (cf. Esth. 8:1) and she makes Mordecai its administrator. The VERB (BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal IMPERFECT) is used several times in Esther: The king set the crown on Esther's head, Esth. 2:17. The king set Haman over all the princes, Esth. 3:1. Esther set Mordecai over Haman's house. The king (apparently through Mordecai) assesses taxes on all the land (which may have made up for the tribute lost in Haman's scheme).
Ester 8:3-8
8:3 "spoke. . .fell. . .wept and implored" These are a series of IMPERFECT VERBS which describe Esther's continuing supplication of the king to stop the slaughter of her people. ▣ "Haman the Agagite" It is uncertain if "Agagite" is related to (1) Agag, the king of the Amalekites; (2) a family name; or (3) a geographical location or an unknown entity. See note at Esth. 3:1. The literary nature of the book suggests #1. Surprisingly, the phrase, "the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite" is missing from the Septuagint. 8:4 "The king extended the golden scepter to Esther" This was a common sign of welcome and graciousness extended by the court (cf. Esth. 4:11; 5:2). 8:5 "Then she said" Esther wanted the king, in court language, to rescind the previous edict. However, this was impossible because the law of the Medes and Persians could not be changed (cf. Esth. 1:19; Dan. 6:8,12,15). Therefore, the king gave Mordecai the authority to write a second law which, to some extent, would counteract Haman's first letter. ▣ Again the literary style of this author is seen in the threefold repetition: If it pleases the king. If I have found favor (twice). The matter seems proper. 8:6 This verse has two parallel phrases using the same VERB "endure" (BDB 407, KB 410 Qal IMPERFECT). Esther is emotionally unable to experience the murder of her kinsmen. The term "destruction" (BDB 2, cf. Esth. 8:6 and 9:5) spells out what "calamity" means. 8:7-8 The king recounts for Esther what he has done for her cause: gave Haman's house to Esther impaled Haman on his own gallows allowed Mordecai to write another edict to counteract Haman's 8:7 "because he had stretched out his hands against the Jews" In Esth. 7:8, the king said that Haman was going to be executed because he violated the queen, but here the true reason for Haman's death is divulged.
Ester 8:9-14
8:9-13 "it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded" This parallels Esth. 3:12-15. 8:9 "the month of Sivan" This would be our May or June. The listing of these specific dates in these last few chapters adds to the historicity of the book. Special Topic: ANE Calendars 8:10 "riding on steeds sired by the royal stud" This is another example of the importance of the king's horse (cf. Esth. 6:8). 8:11 This seems cruel but in context, it was an eye for eye and tooth for tooth response (cf. Exod. 21:23-25) to what Haman had planned to do to them. This is more a case of self defense than vengefulness. It possibly relates to the total judgment of holy war (cf. Jos. 10:13; 1 Sam. 14:24; 18:25). Enemies of God's people are enemies of God (cf. Gen. 12:3; 27:29; Num. 24:9). Although this edict allows the Jews to plunder their enemies, they apparently did not do this (cf. Esth. 9:10,15,16). Possibly they also did not execute "holy war" on their enemies' families (i.e., women and children). They could have legally because this is what Haman wanted to do to the Jewish families (cf. Esth. 3:13).
Ester 8:15-17
8:15 "in royal robes of blue and white" Ancient colors are hard to be specifically defined. Possibly, the blue is royal purple. However, it is obvious that these two colors were the royal colors of Persia. There are many aspects of this book that remind one of Joseph (cf. Gen. 41:42) and Daniel (cf. Dan. 5:7,29). ▣ "with a large crown of gold" There is a distinction made between the large, royal crown and these lesser crowns of gold which were worn by the Persian nobles. ▣ "and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced" This seems to show the proper interpretation of Esth. 3:15 that, although the king reacted with such vengeful wrath against the Jews, the general population did not feel this way. 8:16 These four terms (possibly two sets of hendiadys) are an attempt to describe the emotional joy of the Jewish population of Persia (cf. Esth. 8:17). The last term "honor" (BDB 430) implies a grant from the king. The king's support insured their victory! The Persian king's concern and care mimics the King of king's concern and care! 8:17 NASB, NKJV, TEV, NJB "became Jews" NRSV, JPSOA "professed to be Jews" "professed Judaism" "embraced Judaism" LB, NET "pretended to be Jews" Whether this refers to circumcision, baptism, sacrifice and thereby full proselytism (cf. LXX), or simply that the populace supported the Jewish cause and pretended to become Jews is uncertain. The VERB (BDB 397, KB 393, Hithpael PARTICIPLE) is found only here in the OT. Haman's plot not only failed, but actually increased the power, prestige, and numbers of the Jewish population. The unseen hand of God was guiding all things! Special Topic: Jews