Esther 8:11

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 8:11

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 8:1-17

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 8:3-14

AT ESTHER 'S REQUEST AHASUERUS ALLOWS THE ISSUE OF A SECOND EDICT , PERMITTING THE JEWS TO RESIST ANY WHO SHOULD ATTACK THEM , TO KILL THEM IN THEIR OWN DEFENCE , AND TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THEIR GOODS ( Esther 8:3-14 ). The execution of Haman, the confiscation of his property, the advancement of Mordecai into his place, though of favourable omen, as showing the present temper and inclination of Abasuerus, left the Jews in as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 8:3-14

Consecration, kindred, law, and folly. In these words we have— I. THE MANIFOLDNESS OF HUMAN CONSECRATION . "And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears ," etc. (verse 3). Emboldened by her first success, Esther goes in again to the king, again endangering her own position, and, indeed, her own life, on behalf of her people. The former time she may have been influenced by Mordecai's reminder that her own death was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 8:7-14

Self-defence. The permission of Ahasuerus appears to us singular almost to madness. Indeed, it could only have been such a character as we know Xerxes to have been that could have coolly contemplated plunging every province and every city of his empire into the horrors of civil war. However, it seemed better to him to grant permission to the Jews to arm and to defend themselves than to reverse formally the decree he bad already issued for their destruction. So first the despot commands the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 8:11

Wherein the king granted . Rather, "that the king granted." Mordecai sent "letters," which said "that the king granted to the Jews to gather themselves together," etc. To gather themselves together . Union is strength. If all the Jews of a province were allowed to collect and band themselves together, they would at once be a formidable body. Scattered in the various towns and villages, they might easily have been overpowered. To stand for their life . The Jews have sometimes been... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Esther 8:11

This fresh decree allowed the Jews to stand on their defense, and to kill all who attacked them. It has been pronounced incredible that any king would thus have sanctioned civil war in all the great cities of his empire; but some even of the more skeptical critics allow that “Xerxes” might not improbably have done so. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Esther 8:11

Esther 8:11. To stand for their life To fight for the defence of their lives, against all that should seek to destroy them. To cause to perish the power of the people, &c. Either governors or governed, without any exception either of age, dignity, or sex. Both little ones and women Which is here added, to strike the greater terror into their enemies; and according to the laws and customs of that kingdom, whereby children were punished for their parents’ offences: yet we read... read more

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