History · Chapter 8 of 10

Esther 8

The king gives Haman's house to Esther and his signet ring to Mordecai. Esther pleads in tears for the reversal of the decree against the Jews. Since Persian law cannot be revoked, the king authorizes a second decree, written by Mordecai, allowing the Jews to defend themselves and destroy any who attack them. Riders speed it everywhere. Mordecai is honored in royal robes, and the Jews rejoice with light and gladness.

What happens in Esther 8

The king gives Esther the house of Haman and, learning Mordecai's relation to her, gives him the signet ring taken from Haman; Esther sets Mordecai over the house. Falling at the king's feet in tears, Esther begs him to reverse Haman's plot against the Jews. The king extends the golden scepter and, because a decree sealed with his ring cannot be revoked, authorizes Mordecai to write a new decree in the king's name.

Mordecai grants the Jews in every city the right to gather, defend their lives, and destroy any armed force that would assault them, on the very day appointed for their destruction. Swift riders carry the decree throughout the empire. Mordecai goes out in royal blue and white with a great gold crown, and Shushan rejoices. The Jews have light, gladness, joy, and honor, and many of the land become Jews out of fear.

Esther 8 in context

A central difficulty of Persian rule shapes this chapter: royal decrees sealed with the king's ring cannot be canceled. The murderous edict still stands, so deliverance comes not by erasing the death sentence but by issuing a counter-decree empowering the Jews to live and defend themselves.

The signet ring passes from the enemy to the friend of God's people, and Mordecai's exaltation completes the reversal Haman's fall began.

Main themes of Esther 8

Esther 8 (KJV)

1On 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. 2And 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. 3And 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. 4Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, 5And said, If it please the king, and if I have found 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: 6For 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? 7Then 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. 8Write 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. 9Then 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. 10And 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: 11Wherein 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, 12Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. 13The 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. 14So 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. 15And 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. 16The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. 17And 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.

Verses to carry from Esther 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.”Esther 8:8

“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.”Esther 8:15

“The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.”Esther 8:16

Reflection

Have I grasped that my death sentence was not merely waved away but truly overcome by a stronger word in Christ? This chapter turns mourning into gladness and lifts the lowly to honor. I can live in the joy of deliverance, and welcome others, even former outsiders, into the people of God.

A prayer from Esther 8