Esther 8

1 the house of Haman. That is, all his property, which, upon the owner’s condemnation and death, were confiscated to the king.

2 took off his ring, etc. Investing Mordecai with the office of prime minister (see ix. 4; x. 3).

set Mordecai over the house of Haman. Esther appointed him as her steward.

5 to reverse the letters. Haman’s death did not invalidate the murderous edict by which all the Jews in the Persian empire were doomed to the sword; and they had many enemies, who were eagerly looking forward to the day fixed by the decree for slaughter and spoliation: see ix. 1.

8 may no man reverse. The king’s answer intimates the impossibility of granting literally Esther’s request, to reverse or revoke the decree; and points out the expedient to be adopted in order to defeat its operation. As it was a fundamental principle of the Persian government that a royal edict when duly registered was irrevocable (i. 19; Dan. vi. 8), the king was obliged to give a supplementary decree, which would be well known to convey his real wishes, authorising the Jews to defend themselves if attacked.

9. Sivan. May and June.

10 riders on mules, etc. R.V. reads, “riding on swift steeds that were used in the king’s service, bred of the stud.”

11 to destroy, etc. The Jews did not actually proceed so far (see ix. 10, 15, 16), nor probably was it intended they should; but these powers were necessary, both to indemnify them and to intimidate their enemies.

14 being hastened, etc. Two months had elapsed since the issuing of Haman’s letters; and it was essential that the provincial satraps should be fully informed of the new state of affairs as soon as possible. Moreover, the preparations which had been made by the enemies of the Jews would have to be met by counter-preparations on their part. Therefore, though nine months remained for the circulation of the new letters, there was no time to be lost.

17 became Jews. That is, they became proselytes to the religion of the Jews. Some doubtless did this from conviction, because they had seen the hand of God so remarkably displayed on behalf of His people, and were led thereby to become sincere worshippers of Jehovah; others probably from interested motives, observing the favour which the Jews enjoyed at court.