Esther 8:1-17 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:8

Write ye also for the Jews as it liketh you ,.... Whatever may be thought fit and proper for their safety and security: in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring ; as the former letters were: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse ; which is a reason both for the writing and sealing of the present letters in this manner, and why the former could not be reversed; nor does it appear that they were, but that,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:9

Then were the king's scribes called at that time ,.... As they were to write the former letter, Esther 3:12 , in the third month, that is the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof ; which answers to part of May, and part of June. This was two months and ten days after the writing of the former letters; so long the Jews had been in distress by reason of them, and was a just rebuke upon them for not returning to their own land when they might, as well as for other sins: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:10

And he wrote in the King Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring ,.... Which gave the letters authority, and made them irreversible, and for this Mordecai had the king's order, Esther 8:8 and sent letters by post ; by runners or couriers: on horseback ; that rode on horses that were racers, that ran swiftly: and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries ; which were all different creatures, and swift ones, according to our version, especially the latter; see ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:11

Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together ,.... In some part of the city they should choose, and remain in a body, being sufficiently armed: and to stand for their life ; to defend themselves, and fight for their life, should any attack them, or attempt to take it away; in such case they might act offensively: so as to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them ; every army... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:12

Upon one day, in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. The day appointed and fixed in the former letters for the destruction of the Jews, Esther 3:13 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:13

The copy of the writing, for a commandment to be given in every province, was published to all people ,.... A copy of the letters sent to the governors of provinces; the sum and substance of them was published by an herald, or fixed in public places, that all might know the contents thereof; and take care not to assault the Jews, as it would be to their peril: and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies ; Abendana thinks this is to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:14

So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out ,.... Or on the mules, which in the Persian language were called "ahashteranim"; See Gill on Esther 8:10 , being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment ; who gave them a special order to make what haste they could, that the Jews might have time to prepare for their defence, and their enemies be the more intimidated: and the decree was given at Shushan the palace ; the king's counsellors agreeing to it, and perhaps... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:15

And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king ,.... And walked or rode about in the city to show himself to his friends: in royal apparel of blue and white ; such as the Persian kings wore, and were not allowed to any other, as Xenophon writes F7 Cyropaedia, l. 8. c. 23. : and with a great crown of gold ; a coronet, such as princes and nobles wear; the latter Targum calls it a great golden chain, and such the eastern kings used to give to their favourites; see Daniel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:16

And the Jews had light ,.... Prosperity, as opposed to the darkness of adversity in which they had been, see Isaiah 8:22 , or lightsomeness and cheerfulness of spirit, as explained by the two next words: and gladness and joy ; at the good news of their deliverance, so unexpected by them; thus light is explained by gladness, Psalm 97:11 and honour : among men; from their neighbours, who before were held in contempt, as a people doomed to destruction. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:17

And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came ,.... As they did to every province in the realm, and to every city in the province, where there were any Jews: the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day ; they expressed their joy on this occasion by keeping a festival, which in their language is called a good day; and such an one is annually kept by them unto this day, on account of their deliverance; of which see Esther 9:27... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 8:17

Group of Brands