Esther 8:8-12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 8:3-14

Haman, the chief enemy of the Jews, was hanged, Mordecai and Esther, their chief friends, were sufficiently protected; but many others there were in the king's dominions that hated the Jews and desired their ruin, and to their rage and malice all the rest of that people lay exposed; for the edict against them was still in force, and, in pursuance of it, their enemies would on the day appointed fall upon them, and they would be deemed as rebels against the king and his government if they should... read more

John Gill

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 8:8

May no man reverse - Whatever had passed the royal signet could never be revoked; no succeeding edict could destroy or repeal a preceding one: but one of a similar nature to the Jews against the Persians, as that to the Persians was against the Jews, might be enacted, and thus the Jews be enabled legitimately to defend themselves; and, consequently, placed on an equal footing with their enemies. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 8:9

The month Sivan - This answers to a part of our May and June. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 8:10

On mules , camels , and young dromedaries - What these beasts were is difficult to say. The word רכש rechesh , which we translate mules, signifies a swift chariot horse. The strange word אחשתרנים achashteranim is probably a Persian word, but perhaps incurably corrupted. The most likely derivation is that of Bochart, from the Persian akhash , huge, large, rough, and aster , a mule; large mules. The words הרמכים בני beney harammachim , the sons of mares, which we... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 8:11

To destroy , to slay , and to cause to perish - The same words as in Haman's decree: therefore the Jews had as much authority to slay their enemies, as their enemies had to slay them. Little ones and women - This was the ordinary custom, to destroy the whole family of those convicted of great crimes; and whether this was right or wrong, it was the custom of the people, and according to the laws. Besides, as this edict was to give the Jews the same power against... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 8:3-14

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 8:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 8:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 8:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 8:11

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