Esther 8:1

CHAPTER VIII

Ahasuerus invests Mordecai with the offices and dignities

possessed by Haman, 1, 2.

Esther begs that the decree of destruction gone out against the

Jews may be reversed, 3-6.

He informs her that the acts that had once passed the kings seal

cannot be reversed; but he instructs her and Mordecai to write

other letters in his name, and seal them with his seal, and

send them to all the provinces in the empire, giving the Jews

full liberty to defend themselves; which is accordingly done;

and the letters are sent off with the utmost speed to all the

provinces: in consequence, the Jews prepare for their own

defence, 8-14.

Mordecai appears publicly in the dress of his high office, 15.

The Jews rejoice in every place; and many of the people become

Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them,

16, 17.

NOTES ON CHAP. VIII

Verse Esther 8:1. The king - give the house of Haman] As Haman was found guilty of treasonable practices against the peace and prosperity of the king and his empire, his life was forfeited and his goods confiscated. And as Mordecai had been the means of preserving the king's life, and was the principal object of Haman's malice, it was but just to confer his property upon him, as well as his dignity and office, as Mordecai was found deserving of the former, and fit to discharge the duties of the latter.