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8:3 Then Esther <0635> again <03254> spoke <01696> with <06440> the king <04428>, falling <05307> at <06440> his feet <07272>. She wept <01058> and begged him for mercy <02603>, that he might nullify <05674> the evil <07451> of Haman <02001> the Agagite <091> which <0834> he had intended <02803> against <05921> the Jews <03064>. 8:4 When the king <04428> extended <03447> to Esther <0635> the gold <02091> scepter <08275>, she <0635> arose <06965> and stood <05975> before <06440> the king <04428>. 8:5 She said <0559>, “If <0518> the king <04428> is so inclined and if <0518> I have met <04672> with his approval <02580> and if the matter <01697> is agreeable <03787> to the king <04428> and if I <0589> am attractive to him, let an edict be written <03789> rescinding those recorded <03789> intentions <04284> of Haman <02001> the son <01121> of Hammedatha <04099>, the Agagite <091>, which <0834> he wrote <03789> in order to destroy <06> the Jews <03064> who <0834> are throughout all <03605> the king’s <04428> provinces <04082>. 8:6 For <03588> how <0349> can <03201> I watch <07200> the calamity <07451> that <0834> will befall <04672> my people <05971>, and how <0349> can <03201> I watch <07200> the destruction <013> of my relatives <04138>?” 8:7 King <04428> Ahasuerus <0325> replied <0559> to Queen <04436> Esther <0635> and to Mordecai <04782> the Jew <03064>, “Look <02009>, I have already given <05414> Haman’s <02001> estate <01004> to Esther <0635>, and he has been hanged <08518> on <05921> the gallows <06086> because <0834> <05921> he took <03027> <07971> hostile action <03027> <07971> against the Jews <03064>. 8:8 Now you <0859> write <03789> in <05921> the king’s <04428> name <08034> whatever <02896> in your opinion <05869> is appropriate <02896> concerning the Jews <03064> and seal <02856> it with the king’s <04428> signet ring <02885>. Any decree <03791> that <0834> is written <03789> in the king’s <04428> name <08034> and sealed <02856> with the king’s <04428> signet ring <02885> cannot <0369> be rescinded <07725>. 8:9 The king’s <04428> scribes <05608> were quickly <06256> summoned <07121>– in the third <07992> month <02320> (that <01931> is, the month <02320> of Sivan <05510>), on the twenty-third <06242> <07969> day. They wrote out <03789> everything <03605> that <0834> Mordecai <04782> instructed <06680> to <0413> the Jews <03064> and to <0413> the satraps <0323> and the governors <06346> and the officials <08269> of the provinces <04082> all the way from <05704> India <01912> to <05704> Ethiopia <03568>– a hundred <03967> and twenty-seven <06242> <07651> provinces <04082> in all– to each province <04082> <04082> in its own script <03789> and to each people <05971> <05971> in their own language <03956>, and to <0413> the Jews <03064> according to their own script <03789> and their own language <03956>. 8:10 Mordecai wrote <03789> in the name <08034> of King <04428> Ahasuerus <0325> and sealed <02856> it with the king’s <04428> signet ring <02885>. He then sent <07971> letters <05612> by couriers <07323> <03027> on horses <05483>, who rode <07392> royal <0327> horses <07409> that were very swift. 8:11 The king <04428> thereby allowed <05414> the Jews <03064> who were in <0834> <0834> every <03605> city <05892> <05892> to assemble <06950> and to stand up <05975> for <05921> themselves <05315>– to destroy <08045>, to kill <02026>, and to annihilate <06> any <03605> army <02426> of whatever people <05971> or province <04082> that should become their adversaries <06696>, including their women <0802> and children <02945>, and to confiscate <0962> <07998> their property. 8:12 This was to take place on a certain <0259> day <03117> throughout all <03605> the provinces <04082> of King <04428> Ahasuerus <0325>– namely, on the thirteenth <06240> <07969> day of the twelfth <06240> <08147> month <02320> (that <01931> is, the month <02320> of Adar <0143>). 8:13 A copy <06572> of the edict <03791> was to be presented <05414> as law <01881> throughout each <04082> and every <03605> province <04082> and made known <01540> to all <03605> peoples <05971>, so that the Jews <03064> might be <01961> prepared <06259> on that <02088> day <03117> to avenge <05358> themselves from their enemies <0341>. 8:14 The couriers <07323> who were riding <07392> the royal <0327> horses <07409> went forth <03318> with the king’s <04428> edict <01697> without delay <0926>. And the law <01881> was presented <05414> in Susa <07800> the citadel <01002> as well. 8:15 Now Mordecai <04782> went out <03318> from the king’s <04428> presence <06440> in purple <08504> and white <02353> royal <04438> attire <03830>, with a large <01419> golden <02091> crown <05850> and a purple <0713> linen <0948> mantle <08509>. The city <05892> of Susa <07800> shouted <06670> with joy <08055>. 8:16 For the Jews <03064> there was <01961> radiant <0219> happiness <08057> and joyous <08342> honor <03366>. 8:17 Throughout every <03605> province <04082> <04082> and throughout every <03605> city <05892> where <0834> the king’s <04428> edict <01697> and his law <01881> arrived <05060>, the Jews <03064> experienced happiness <08057> and joy <08342>, banquets <04960> and holidays <02896> <03117>. Many <07227> of the resident <0776> peoples <05971> pretended to be Jews <03054>, because <03588> the fear <06343> of the Jews <03064> had overcome <05307> them.

• Est 8:1-17 -- The King Acts to Protect the Jews

• Mordecai

  [nave] MORDECAI A Jewish captive in Persia, Esth. 2:5, 6. Foster father of Esther, Esth. 2:7. Informs Ahasuerus of a conspiracy against his life, and is rewarded, Esth. 2:21-23; Esth. 6:1-11. Promoted in Haman's place, Esth. 8:1...
  

• Israel

  [nave] ISRAEL 1. A name given to Jacob, Gen. 32:24-32; 2 Kin. 17:34; Hos. 12:3, 4. 2. A name of the Christ in prophecy, Isa. 49:3. 3. A name given to the descendants of Jacob, a nation. Called also Israelites, and Hebrews, Gen. 4...
  

• Haman

  [nave] HAMAN Prime minister of Ahasuerus, Esth. 3:1. Plotted against Esther and the Jews, thwarted by Esther and Mordecai, hanged, Esth. 3-9.
  

• Esther

  [nave] ESTHER, called also Hadassah. Niece of Mordecai, Esth. 2:7, 15. Chosen queen, Esth. 2:17. Tells the king of the plot against his life, Esth. 2:22. Fasts on account of the decree to destroy the Israelites; accuses Haman to ...
  

• Servant

  [nave] SERVANT Distinguished as bond servant, who was a slave, and hired servant. Bond Laws of Moses concerning, Ex. 21:1-11, 20, 21, 26, 27, 32; Lev. 19:20-22; 25:6, 10, 35-55; Deut. 15:12, 14, 18; 24:7. Kidnapping forbidden, D...
  

• Minister

  [nave] MINISTER An officer in civil government. Joseph, Gen. 41:40-44; Ira, 2 Sam. 20:26; Zabud, 1 Kin. 4:5; Ahithophel, 1 Chr. 27:33; Zebadiah, 2 Chr. 19:11; Elkanah, 2 Chr. 28:7; Haman, Esth. 3:1; Mordecai, Esth. 10:3; 8-9; Danie...
  

• Ring

  [isbe] RING - (Anglo-Saxon, Hring, "ring"): The word renders (the American Standard Revised Version) two Hebrew words (in the King James Version and the English Revised Version three) and two Greek words. Tabba`ath, the principal H...
  [nave] RING Of gold, Num. 31:50. Worn as a badge of office, Gen. 41:42. Given as a token, Esth. 3:10, 12; 8:2-10. Worn in the nose, Prov. 11:22; Isa. 3:21. Offerings of, to the tabernacle, Ex. 35:22; Num. 31:50.
  

• Post

  [ebd] (1.) A runner, or courier, for the rapid transmission of letters, etc. (2 Chr. 30:6; Esther 3:13, 15; 8:10, 14; Job 9:25; Jer. 51:31). Such messengers were used from very early times. Those employed by the Hebrew kings had a...
  [isbe] POST - post (ruts, "to run," ratsim, "runners"): The "runners" formed the royal guard (1 Sam 22:17; 1 Ki 14:27; 2 Ki 11:4,13; see GUARD). From them were chosen the couriers who carried royal letters and dispatches throughout...
  [nave] POST A bearer of message, Job 9:25; Jer. 51:31. Of Hezekiah, 2 Chr. 30:6, 10; Ahasuerus, Esth. 3:13, 14; 8:10, 14.
  

• Proclamation

  [nave] PROCLAMATION Imperial, 2 Chr. 30:1-10; Esth. 1:22; 6:9; 8:10-14; Isa. 40:3, 9; Dan. 3:4-7; 4:1; 5:29. Emancipation, 2 Chr. 36:23; Ezra 1:1-4.
  

• Seal

  [ebd] commonly a ring engraved with some device (Gen. 38:18, 25). Jezebel "wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal" (1 Kings 21:8). Seals are frequently mentioned in Jewish history (Deut. 32:34; Neh. 9:38; 10:1...
  [isbe] SEAL - sel (substantive chotham, "seal," "signet," Tabba`ath, "signet-ring"; Aramaic `izqa'; sphragis; verb chatham, (Aramaic chatham); (sphragizo), (katasphragizomai, "to seal"): I. Literal Sense. A seal is an instrument of...
  [nave] SEAL 1. A stamp used for signifying documents. Given as a pledge, Gen. 38:18. Engraved, Ex. 28:11, 21, 36; 39:6, 14, 30; 2 Tim. 2:19. Decrees signified by, 1 Kin. 21:8; Esth. 8:8. Documents sealed with: Ahab's letter, 1 K...
  

• Camel

  [isbe] CAMEL - kam'-el (gamal; kamelos; bekher, and bikhrah (Isa 60:6; Jer 2:23 "dromedary," the American Revised Version, margin "young camel"), rekhesh (1 Ki 4:28; see HORSE), kirkaroth (Isa 66:20, "swift beasts," the American St...
  [nave] CAMEL, herds of, Gen. 12:16; 24:35; Gen. 30:43; 1 Sam. 30:17; 1 Chr. 27:30; Job 1:3, 17; Isa. 60:6. Docility of, Gen. 24:11. Uses of: For riding, Gen. 24:10, 61, 64; 31:17; posts, Esth. 8:10, 14; Jer. 2:23; drawing chariots...
  

• India

  [ebd] occurs only in Esther 1:1 and 8:9, where the extent of the dominion of the Persian king is described. The country so designated here is not the peninsula of Hindustan, but the country surrounding the Indus, the Punjab. The p...
  [isbe] INDIA - in'-di-a (hoddu: he Indike): The name occurs in canonical Scripture only in Est 1:1; 8:9, of the country which marked the eastern boundary of the territory of Ahasuerus. The Hebrew word comes from the name of the Ind...
  [smith] The name of India does not occur in the Bible before the book of Esther where it is noticed as the limit of the territories of Ahasuerus in the east, as Ethiopia was in the west. (Esther 1:1; 8:9) The India of the book of Est...
  [nave] INDIA, probably the eastern limit of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, Esth. 1:1; 8:9.
  

• AGAGITE

  [ebd] a name applied to Haman and also to his father (Esther 3:1, 10; 8:3, 5). Probably it was equivalent to Amalekite.
  [isbe] AGAGITE - a'-gag-it, ('aghaghi, from, 'aghagh, "a member of the house of Agag"): A title of opprobrium given to Haman (Est 3:1,10; 8:3,5; 9:24). Jewish tradition always assigned the arch-enemies of Israel membership in the h...
  

• Mule

  [isbe] MULE - mul (peredh (1 Ki 10:25; 18:5; Ezr 2:66; Isa 66:20; Zec 14:15), the feminine pirdah (1 Ki 1:33,38,44), rekhesh, "swift steeds," the King James Version "mules" (Est 8:10,14), 'achashteranim, "used in the king's service...
  [nave] MULE Uses of: For royal riders, 2 Sam. 13:29; 18:9; 1 Kin. 1:33, 38; ridden by posts, Esth. 8:10, 14; by saints in Isaiah's prophetic vision of the kingdom of Christ, Isa. 66:20; as pack animals, 2 Kin. 5:17; 1 Chr. 12:40. ...
  

• Hammedatha

  [ebd] father of Haman, designated usually "the Agagite" (Esther 3:1, 10; 8:5).
  [smith] (double), father of the infamous Haman. (Esther 3:1,10; 8:5; 9;24)
  [nave] HAMMEDATHA, father of Haman, Esth. 3:1, 10; 8:5; 9:10, 24.
  

• Joy

  [isbe] JOY - joi (simchah; chara): 1. Terms: The idea of joy is expressed in the Old Testament by a wealth of synonymous terms that cannot easily be differentiated. The commonest is simchah (1 Sam 18:6, etc.), variously translated ...
  [nave] JOY Attributed to God, Deut. 28:63; 30:9; Jer. 32:41. In heaven, Luke 15:10-32. See: Shouting. Unclassified Scriptures Relating to Deut. 12:18; 1 Sam. 2:1; 1 Chr. 16:27; 2 Chr. 7:10; Ezra 6:22; Neh. 8:10, 12; Neh. 12:43;...
  

• Linen

  [ebd] (1.) Heb., pishet, pishtah, denotes "flax," of which linen is made (Isa. 19:9); wrought flax, i.e., "linen cloth", Lev. 13:47, 48, 52, 59; Deut. 22:11. Flax was early cultivated in Egypt (Ex. 9:31), and also in Palestine (Jo...
  [isbe] LINEN - lin'-en (badh, "white linen," used chiefly for priestly robes, buts, "byssus," a fine white Egyptian linen, called in the earlier writings shesh; pesheth, "flax," cadhin; bussos, othonion, linon, sindon): Thread or c...
  [nave] LINEN Exported from Egypt, 1 Kin. 10:28; Ezek. 27:7; from Syria, Ezek. 27:16. Curtains of the tabernacle made of, Ex. 25:4; 26:1; 27:9. Vestments of priests made of, Ex. 28:5-8, 15, 39-42. Robes of royal households made o...
  

• Sivan

  [ebd] a Persian word (Assyr, sivanu, "bricks"), used after the Captivity as the name of the third month of the Jewish year, extending from the new moon in June to the new moon in July (Esther 8:9).
  [isbe] SIVAN - se-van', si'-van (ciwan): The third month of the Jewish year, corresponding to June (Est 8:9). See CALENDAR.
  [nave] SIVAN, third month (June), Esth. 8:9.
  

• HORSE

  [isbe] HORSE - hors: 1. Names: The common names are (1) cuc, and (2) hippos. (3) The word parash, "horseman," occurs often, and in several cases is translated "horse" or "warhorse" (Isa 28:28; Ezek 27:14; Joel 2:4 the Revised Versi...
  

• Shushan

  [nave] SHUSHAN 1. Capital of the Medo-Persian empire, Esth. 1:2, 3; 8:15. 2. King's palace at, Neh. 1:1; Esth. 1:2, 5; 2:5, 8; 4:8, 16; 8:14, 15; 9:11, 15.
  

• The Jews Are Saved

  

• The book of Esther says that Mordecai was a Benjamite in one place and a Jew in others. Which was he?
  In Esther 2:5-6 we are told: 2:5 Now there happened to be a Jewish man in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai. He was the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 2:6 who had been taken into ex...

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