BibleTools
Esther 8:11
Compare all
9 aSo the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day; and it was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the provinces bfrom India to Ethiopia, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces in all, to every province cin its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.  
10 aAnd he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on royal horses1 bred from swift steeds.  
11 By these letters the king permitted the Jews who were in every city to agather together and protect their lives—to bdestroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them, both little children and women, and to plunder their possessions,  
12 aon one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of1 Adar.  
13 aA copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province and published for all people, so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.  
14 The couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by the king’s command. And the decree was issued in1 Shushan the citadel.  
Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
<< Esther 8:10   Esther 8:12 >>


Esther 8:11-13

the king granted the Jews . . . to stand for their life . . . to slay . . . all . . . that would assault them—The fixed and unalterable character claimed for Persian edicts often placed the king in a very awkward dilemma; for, however bitterly he might regret things done in a moment of haste and thoughtlessness, it was beyond even his power to prevent the consequences. This was the reason on account of which the king was laid under a necessity not to reverse, but to issue a contradictory edict; according to which it was enacted that if, pursuant to the first decree, the Jews were assaulted, they might, by virtue of the second, defend themselves and even slay their enemies. However strange and even ridiculous this mode of procedure may appear, it was the only one which, from the peculiarities of court etiquette in Persia, could be adopted. Instances occur in sacred (Daniel 6:14), no less than profane, history. Many passages of the Bible attest the truth of this, particularly the well-known incident of Daniel's being cast into the den of lions, in conformity with the rash decree of Darius, though, as it afterwards appeared, contrary to the personal desire of that monarch. That the law of Persia has undergone no change in this respect, and the power of the monarch not less immutable, appear from many anecdotes related in the books of modern travellers through that country.




Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Esther 8:11:

Esther 8:8

 

<< Esther 8:10   Esther 8:12 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.

Join 137,028+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

Close
E-mail This Page