Esther 8
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Commentaries
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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.
Open source ↗MORDECAI ADVANCED. (Est 8:1-6) On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman . . . unto Esther--His property was confiscated, and everything belonging to him, as some compensation for the peril to which she had been exposed. Mordecai came before the king--that is, was introduced at court and appointed one of the seven counsellors. Esther displayed great prudence and address in acknowledging Mordecai's relation to her at the moment most fitted to be of eminent service to him.
Open source ↗On that day did the King, Ahasuerus, give the house of Haman, the Jews' enemy, unto Esther the queen,.... That, and all the goods in it, and estate belonging to it; which being confiscated to the king, he gave to Esther, who would have been the sufferer, had his scheme taken place; so the Targum adds,"and the men of his house, and all his treasures, and all his riches:" and Mordecai came before the king; was introduced into his presence, became one of his privy counsellors, one of those that saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom, Est 1:14 for Esther had told what he was unto her; what relation he stood in to her; her uncle, according to the Vulgate Latin version, and so Aben Ezra and Josephus, but wrongly, for she was his uncle's daughter; so that they were brother's children, or own cousins, see Est 2:7.
Open source ↗By the execution of Haman, his property was confiscated, and the king decreed that the house of the Jews' enemy should be given to Esther. The "house of Haman" undoubtedly means the house with all that pertained to it. "And Mordochai came before the king, for Esther had told him what he was to her," viz., her kinsman and foster-father, Est 2:7. This information effected Mordochai's appearance before the king, i.e., his reception into the number of the high dignitaries who beheld the face of the king, i.e., were allowed personal access to him; comp. Est 1:10, Est 1:14; Est 7:9. Est 8:2 And the king took off his seal-ring which he had taken from Haman (comp. Est 3:10), and gave it to Mordochai. מן העביר, to cause to go from some one, i.e., to take away. By this act Mordochai was advanced to the post of first minister of the king; comp. Gen 41:42, 1 Macc. 6:15. The king's seal gave the force of law to royal edicts, the seal taking the place of the signature. See rem. on Est 8:8 and Est 3:10.
Open source ↗It was but lately that we had Esther and Mordecai in tears and in fears, but fasting and praying; now let us see how to them there arose light in darkness. Here is, 1. Esther enriched. Haman was hanged as a traitor, therefore his estate was forfeited to the crown, and the king gave it all to Esther, in recompence for the fright that wicked man had put her into and the vexation he had created her, Est 8:1. His houses and lands, good sand chattels, and all the money he had heaped up which he was prime-minister of state (which, we may suppose, was no little), are given to Esther; they are all her own, added to the allowance she already had. Thus is the wealth of the sinner laid up for the just, and the innocent divides the silver, Pro 13:22; Job 27:17, Job 27:18. What Haman would have done mischief with Esther will do good with; and estates are to be valued as they are used. 2. Mordecai advanced. His pompous procession, this morning, through the streets of the city, was but a sudden flash or blaze of honour; but here we have the more durable and gainful preferments to which he was raised, which yet the other happily made way for. (1.) He is now owned as the queen's cousin, which till now, though Esther had been four years queen, for aught that appears, the king did not know. So humble, so modest, a man was Mordecai, and so far from being ambitious of a place at court, that he concealed his relation to the queen and her obligations to him as her guardian, and never made us of her interest for any advantage of his own. Who but Mordecai could have taken so little notice of so great an honour? But now he was brought before the king, introduced, as we say, to kiss his hand; for now, at length, Esther had told what he was to her, not only near a-kin to her, but the best friend s…
Open source ↗8:1 Just as Haman had promised the wealth of the Jews to those who would kill them (3:13), Xerxes gave the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (ʼĂchashvêrôwsh, H325) — Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) צָרַר (tsârar, H6887) — to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine מַלְכָּה (malkâh, H4436) — a queen מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath, H2885) — properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda חָנַן (chânan, H2603) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to… בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier אֲגָגִי (ʼĂgâgîy, H91) — an Agagite or descendent (subject) of Agag מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָשַׁט (yâshaṭ, H3447) — to extend זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky שַׁרְבִיט (sharbîyṭ, H8275) — a rod of empire אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… חֵן (chên, H2580) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause כָּשֵׁר (kâshêr, H3787) — by implication, to be acceptable; also to succeed or prosper עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan… הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier
Open source ↗אֵיךְ (ʼêyk, H349) — how? or how!; also where יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אׇבְדַן (ʼobdan, H13) — a perishing מוֹלֶדֶת (môwledeth, H4138) — nativity (plural birth-place); by implication, lineage, native country; also offspring,…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (ʼĂchashvêrôwsh, H325) — Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine מַלְכָּה (malkâh, H4436) — a queen מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier תָּלָה (tâlâh, H8518) — to suspend (especially to gibbet) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… חָתַם (châtham, H2856) — to close up; especially to seal טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath, H2885) — properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a… כָּתָב (kâthâb, H3791) — something written, i.e. a writing, record or book שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month סִיוָן (Çîyvân, H5510) — Sivan, the third Hebrew month שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפַּן (ʼăchashdarpan, H323) — a satrap or governorof amain province (of Persia)
Open source ↗כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (ʼĂchashvêrôwsh, H325) — Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… חָתַם (châtham, H2856) — to close up; especially to seal טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath, H2885) — properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… רֶכֶשׁ (rekesh, H7409) — a relay of animals on a post-route (as stored up for that purpose); by implication, a… אֲחַשְׁתָּרָן (ʼăchashtârân, H327) — a mule
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… קָהַל (qâhal, H6950) — to convoke עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… צוּר (tsûwr, H6696) — to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or…
Open source ↗אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (ʼĂchashvêrôwsh, H325) — Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather… שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month אֲדָר (ʼĂdâr, H143) — Adar, the 12th Hebrew month
Open source ↗פַּרְשֶׁגֶן (parshegen, H6572) — a transcript כָּתָב (kâthâb, H3791) — something written, i.e. a writing, record or book דָּת (dâth, H1881) — a royal edict or statute נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) עָתִיד (ʻâthîyd, H6264) — prepared; by implication, skilful; feminine plural the future; also treasure עָתוּד (ʻâthûwd, H6259) — prepared יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָקַם (nâqam, H5358) — to grudge, i.e. avenge or punish אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary
Open source ↗רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… רֶכֶשׁ (rekesh, H7409) — a relay of animals on a post-route (as stored up for that purpose); by implication, a… אֲחַשְׁתָּרָן (ʼăchashtârân, H327) — a mule יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… בָּהַל (bâhal, H926) — to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly)… דָּחַף (dâchaph, H1765) — to urge, i.e. hasten מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause דָּת (dâth, H1881) — a royal edict or statute נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) שׁוּשַׁן (Shûwshan, H7800) — Shushan, a place in Persia בִּירָה (bîyrâh, H1002) — a castle or palace
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, because she did not have a father or mother. The young woman was lovely in form and appearance, and when her father and mother had died, Mordecai had taken her in as his own daughter.
Now Esther was the daughter of Abihail, the uncle from whom Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter. And when it was her turn to go to the king, she did not ask for anything except what Hegai, the king’s trusted official in charge of the harem, had advised. And Esther found favor in the eyes of everyone who saw her.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.
Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
Esther replied, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked man—Haman!” And Haman stood in terror before the king and queen.
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom.