Esther · WEB-C
Esther
8
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On that day, King Ahasuerus gave to Esther all that belonged to Haman the slanderer. The king called Mordecai, for Esther had told that he was related to her. See also: Esther 2:7Proverbs 13:22Esther 2:15The king took the ring which he had taken away from Haman and gave it to Mordecai. Esther appointed Mordecai over all that had been Haman’s. See also: Esther 3:10Genesis 41:42Daniel 2:48She spoke yet again to the king, and fell at his feet, and implored him to undo Haman’s mischief and all that he had done against the Jews. See also: Hosea 12:42 Kings 4:27Hebrews 5:7Then the king extended the golden sceptre to Esther; and Esther arose to stand near the king. See also: Esther 5:2Esther 4:11Esther said, “If it seems good to you, and I have found favor in your sight, let an order be sent that the letters sent by Haman may be reversed—letters that were written for the destruction of the Jews who are in your kingdom. See also: Esther 7:3Esther 3:12-13Esther 5:8For how could I see the affliction of my people, and how could I survive the destruction of my kindred?” See also: Esther 7:4Romans 10:1Romans 9:2-3Then the king said to Esther, “If I have given and freely granted you all that was Haman’s, and hanged him on a gallows because he laid his hands upon the Jews, what more do you seek? See also: Esther 7:10Galatians 3:13Proverbs 13:22Write in my name whatever seems good to you, and seal it with my ring; for whatever is written at the command of the king, and sealed with my ring, cannot be countermanded. See also: Esther 1:19Esther 3:12Esther 8:5So the scribes were called in the first month, which is Nisan, on the twenty-third day of the same year; and orders were written to the Jews, whatever the king had commanded to the local governors and chiefs of the local governors, from India even to Ethiopia—one hundred twenty-seven local governors, according to the several provinces, in their own languages. See also: Esther 1:22Esther 1:12 Kings 18:26They were written by order of the king, sealed with his ring, and the letters were sent by the couriers. See also: Jeremiah 2:23Daniel 4:1Isaiah 66:20In them, he charged them to use their own laws in every city, to help each other, and to treat their adversaries and those who attacked them as they pleased, See also: Psalms 37:14-15Esther 3:13Ezekiel 39:10on one day in all the kingdom of Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is Adar. See also: Esther 9:1Esther 3:13-15Judges 1:6-7The following is a copy of the letter containing orders: [The great King Ahasuerus sends greetings to the rulers of provinces in one hundred twenty-seven local governance regions, from India to Ethiopia, even to those who are faithful to our interests. Many who have been frequently honored by the most abundant kindness of theirbenefactors have conceived ambitious designs, and not only endeavor to hurt our subjects, but moreover, not being able to bear prosperity, they also endeavor to plot against their own benefactors. They not only would utterly abolish gratitude from among men, but also, elated by the boastings of men who are strangers to all that is good, they supposed that they would escape the sin-hating vengeance of the ever-seeing God. And oftentimes evil exhortation has made partakers of the guilt of shedding innocent blood, and has involved in irremediable calamities many of those who had been appointed to offices of authority, who had been entrusted with the management of their friends’ affairs; while men, by the false sophistry of an evil disposition, have deceived the simple goodwill of the ruling powers. And it is possible to see this, not so much from more ancient traditional accounts, as it is immediately in your power to see it by examining what things have been wickedly perpetrated by the baseness of men unworthily holding power. It is right to take heed with regard to the future, that we may maintain the government in undisturbed peace for all men, adopting needful changes, and ever judging those cases which come under our notice with truly equitable decisions. For whereas Haman, a Macedonian, the son of Hammedatha, in reality an alien from the blood of the Persians, and differing widely from our mild course of government, having been hospitably entertained by us, obtained so large a share of our universal kindness as to be called our father, and to continue the person next to the royal throne, reverenced of all; he however, overcome by pride, endeavored to deprive us of our dominion, and our life; having by various and subtle artifices demanded for destruction both Mordecai our deliverer and perpetual benefactor, and Esther the blameless consort of our kingdom, along with their whole nation. For by these methods he thought, having surprised us in a defenseless state, to transfer the dominion of the Persians to the Macedonians. But we find that the Jews, who have been consigned to destruction by the most abominable of men, are not malefactors, but living according to the most just laws, and being the sons of the living God, the most high and mighty, who maintains the kingdom, to us as well as to our forefathers, in the most excellent order. You will therefore do well in refusing to obey the letter sent by Haman the son of Hammedatha, because he who has done these things has been hanged with his whole family at the gates of Susa, Almighty God having swiftly returned to him a worthy punishment. We enjoin you then, having openly published a copy of this letter in every place, to give the Jews permission to use their own lawful customs and to strengthen them, that on the thirteenth of the twelfth month Adar, on the self-same day, they may defend themselves against those who attack them in a time of affliction. For in the place of the destruction of the chosen race, Almighty God has granted them this time of gladness. Therefore you also, among your notable feasts, must keep a distinct day with all festivity, that both now and hereafter it may be a day of deliverance to us and who are well disposed toward the Persians, but to those that plotted against us a memorial of destruction. And every city and province collectively, which shall not do accordingly, shall be consumed with vengeance by spear and fire. It shall be made not only inaccessible to men, but most hateful to wild beasts and birds forever.] Let the copies be posted in conspicuous places throughout the kingdom. Let all the Jews be ready against this day, to fight against their enemies. See also: Revelation 6:10Esther 3:14Psalms 149:6-9So the horsemen went forth with haste to perform the king’s commands. The ordinance was also published in Susa. See also: Daniel 8:2Esther 3:15Esther 2:3Mordecai went out robed in royal apparel, wearing a golden crown and a diadem of fine purple linen. The people in Susa saw it and rejoiced. See also: Luke 16:19Esther 3:15Genesis 41:42The Jews had light and gladness See also: Proverbs 11:10Psalms 97:11Psalms 18:28in every city and province where the ordinance was published. Wherever the proclamation took place, the Jews had joy and gladness, feasting and mirth. Many of the Gentiles were circumcised and became Jews for fear of the Jews. See also: Deuteronomy 11:25Esther 9:19Psalms 18:43
See also: Cross references from OpenBible.info (CC BY), derived in part from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain).
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Notes · Haydock (1859, public domain)11 notes
Notes in English 19th-century Catholic commentary by Fr. George Leo Haydock, shown as published.
These notes keep the polemics of their time: some speak harshly of the Jewish people or of other Christians. The Church teaches otherwise today. The Jewish people may not be blamed for the death of Christ (Nostra Aetate 4; Catechism 597–598), and Christians of other communities are our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Unitatis Redintegratio 3). Christian unity
Esther 8:1
Ver. 1. House, and furniture. Sept. "all the possessions of Aman, the devil,"
(accuser, &c. H.) which were confiscated for treason; and no one had a better title than the queen, whose life had been is such danger. Yet she did not touch the estates of the children, v. 13. C. ix. 10. --- King.
in the place of Aman. C. ix. 4. and x. 3. --- Uncle, or cousin. C.
↑ 1Esther 8:2
Ver. 2. Aman. It seems the traitor had hitherto kept possession of it, and sealed the king's edicts, as Mardochai was now to do, v. 8. --- House. Heb. &c. "of Aman," to whom it had belonged. C.
↑ 2Esther 8:3
This 19th-century note uses polemical language; read it in the light of the note at the top of this panel.
Ver. 3. Down. such reverence is due to God's representatives, whatever heretics may say. Jude 8.
↑ 3Esther 8:5
Ver. 5. To him. Heb. adds, "and I be pleasing in his eyes," which had been expressed just before.
Yet she might insist on this point, as it shewed a greater regard for the king's pleasure. --- I beseech. Heb. "let it be written, to reverse the device of Aman, the son," &c. H. --- When the edict was not sealed by the nobles, it might be altered; (C. i. 19.) and at any rate, when the king had been to visibly imposed upon, in an affair of such consequence, justice dictated that it should not be enforced. C.
↑ 5Esther 8:7
Ver. 7. Durst. Heb. "laid." He had sufficiently manifested his intention to destroy them, though he had not been able to injure any one. H.
↑ 7Esther 8:8
Ver. 8. This. Heb. "no one may reverse the letter," &c.
↑ 8Esther 8:9
Ver. 9. Third. Rom. Sept. "first...Nisan," ten days after Aman's decree, who seems to have been presently brought to judgment. Yet two whole months might easily elapse, (C.) and ten days more, before this contrary edict was dispatched. H. --- The day of slaughter was still remote. M.
↑ 9Esther 8:10
Ver. 10. Posts, who had a right to make use of any person's horse, &c. M. ---
Who. Prot. "on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries." H. --- The original terms greatly embarrass interpreters. C. ---
Sept. have simply, "he sent the writings by letter-carriers, ordering them to follow their own laws in every city, to help themselves, and treat their adversaries and opponents as they pleased, on one day...the 13th...of Adar.
This is a copy," &c.
C. xvi. H.
↑ 10Esther 8:11
Ver. 11. Spoil. This was retaliating, as they were to have been treated in like manner. C. ---
Such were the barbarous customs of the country. H. --- It might not still be lawful thus to involve the innocent with the guilty, though the king did not ill in allowing the Jews to stand up in their own defence. 2 K. xxi. 6. Some think that they were only to prevent the execution of the former edict, which could not be revoked. See C. iii. C. --- A form of trial was observed. C. xvi. 20.
M.
↑ 11Esther 8:15
Ver. 15. Cloak. The kings wore one of purple, over their purple and white tunic.
Cyrop. viii. ---
Gr. have "diadem." C.
↑ 15Esther 8:17
Ver. 17. Ceremonies. Becoming acquainted with the sanctity of the law, and the protection which God gave to his people. M. --- Heb. "the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast, and a good day, and many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews," &c. Prot. H.
↑ 17License: Notes by Fr. George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), from the Douay-Rheims Bible with Haydock's commentary (first ed. Thomas Haydock, Manchester/Dublin, 1811–1814; New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother, 1859); New Testament notes compiled with Fr. Benedict Rayment. Public domain. Digital text: "The Haydock Bible", Internet Archive (archive.org/details/TheHaydockBible), uploaded 2011 under the Public Domain Mark. · Credits and licenses