Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal [it] with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.
Write … as it liketh you … – (See the Est 1:19 note. Practically, Ahasuerus reversed the device of Haman).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 8. May no man reverse.] Whatever had passed the royal signet could never be revoked; no succeeding edict could destroy or repeal a preceding one: but one of a similar nature to the Jews against the Persians, as that to the Persians was against the Jews, might be enacted, and thus the Jews be enabled legitimately to defend themselves; and, consequently, placed on an equal footing with their enemies.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For the Jews; on their behalf, to the governors and commanders of the kings forces, or to whom you please.
Seal it with the kings ring; I offer you my authority and seal to confirm whatsoever you shall think fit to write.
For the writing which is written in the king s name, and sealed with the kings ring, may no man reverse: this reason may belong either,
1. To the writing of these present letters; and so the sense is, These letters will be most effectual, being no less irrevocable than the former, and coming last will repeal the former. Or,
2. To the former letters, as a reason why he could not grant their desires in recalling them, because they were irrevocable by the law of the Medes and Persians. And this sense, though rejected by many, seems to be the truest, because here is no mention of reversing Hamans letters, which Esther had desired, Est 8:5, and the king denied for the reason here alleged; and because the following letter doth not contain one word about the reversing of the former, nor doth it take away that power which was given to all rulers to destroy all the Jews, Est 3:12,13, but only gives the Jews power and authority to stand up in their own defence, Est 8:11, which, all circumstances considered, was sufficient for their preservation.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. Write . . . in the king’s name,and seal it with the king’s ringHence it is evident that theroyal ring had a seal in it, which, being affixed to any document,authenticated it with the stamp of royal authority.
which . . . may no manreverseThis is added as the reason why he could not complywith the queen’s request for a direct reversal or recall of Haman’sletters; namely, that the laws of the Medes and Persians, oncepassed, were irrevocable.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Write ye also for the Jews as it liketh you,…. Whatever may be thought fit and proper for their safety and security:
in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring; as the former letters were:
for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse; which is a reason both for the writing and sealing of the present letters in this manner, and why the former could not be reversed; nor does it appear that they were, but that, in virtue of them, the people had power to rise and kill the Jews on the day appointed, if they dared, or were so disposed; and these empowered the Jews to rise in their own defence, and kill all that made any attempts upon them, for which they had the royal authority; and these letters coming after the other, though they did not formally reverse them, which might not be done, yet rendered them ineffectual.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(8) Write ye. . . .Esthers device is seen through, and the king shrinks from taking so decisive a step as the revocation of a decree once issued. Such a writing may no man reverse. Still he will do what he can. It may be possible to meet the difficulty, and save the Jews, without actual reversal of the decree. The king then refers to the proofs of his goodwill, as shown by hanging Haman for his scheme against the Jews, and giving his property to Esther, and bids Esther and Mordecai write concerning the Jews according to what seems good in your eyes. Give, that is, any orders you please about them, short of repealing the former order. The result of this permission, whether the idea was suggested by the king, or occurred to Esther or Mordecai, was that authority was given to the Jews to defend themselves.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
8. Write ye as it liketh you He commits to them the task of devising some counter measure that will protect their people, and excuses himself from further action on the ground of the immutability of Persian law. No edict, however hasty and foolish, can be recalled, but there may be a most fearful conflict of laws. See note on Est 1:19.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Est 8:8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal [it] with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.
Ver. 8. Write ye also for the Jews ] Here was one syngram, or authoritative writing, crossing another. What could the people think of this, but that crowns have their cares, and it were a wonder if great persons, in the multitude of their distractions, should not let fall some incongruities. We must not think, saith Lavater here, if princes or states command things different from one another, that it proceedeth from lightness of mind; but that they make laws and set forth edicts according to the state and necessity of the times, and as the public good requireth. In the beginning of Queen Elizabeth’s reign here (when men’s minds differed concerning religion, and reformation could not safely be wrought at once) it was by one and the same proclamation commanded, that no man should speak irreverently of the sacrament of the altar, and both kinds were permitted in the administration. Religion was changed without commotion by degrees; after that the Romish superstition had stood a whole month and more, after the death of Queen Mary, as afore. The sacrifice of the mass was not abolished till half a year later; nor images cast out of churches till two months after that. Here, then, let St James’s counsel take place. “Be swift to hear, slow to speak”; to speak evil of governors when they answer not our expectations, but seem to command contradictories. There are certain Arcana imperil, secrets of state, that most men understand not; and must therefore dedicate them to victory, as the Romans did that lake the depth whereof they could not fathom nor find out. Besides, we must know that there will be faults so long as there be men, and faults will slip between the best men’s fingers; as Bishop Jewel was wont to say. And as we endure with patience a barren year if it happen, and unseasonable weather; so must we tolerate the imperfections of rulers, and quietly expect either reformation or alteration.
As it liketh you
In the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring] He was well persuaded of their fidelity, piety, and prudence. Otherwise it had been too great a weakness in this prince (who had been so lately abused by Haman) to have trusted his whole power in the hands of strangers. But natural conscience cannot but stoop to the image of God, wheresoever it meeteth therewith, and have high thoughts of such, as Pharaoh had of Joseph, Nebuchadnezzar of those three worthies, Darius of Daniel, &c. Surely, when men see in the saints that which is above ordinary, or beyond their expectations, they are afraid of the name of God which is called upon by them, Deu 28:10 , and will intrust them more than any other whatsoever. It is a problem in Aristotle, why man is credited more than other creatures? The answer is, , because he alone reverenceth God, therefore you may trust him: honesty floweth from piety.
For the writing which is written in the king’s name, &c.] Therefore you must not take it amiss that I reverse not Haman’s letters; for I also am under a law (whatever my predecessor Cambyses held to the contrary), neither need you doubt but that what you write in my name and sign with my seal will be authentic, and pass for a current countermand, fear it not.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
liketh = pleaseth. Compare Est 3:11.
may no man reverse. But Compare Est 3:12, and see App-23.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
in the king’s name: Est 3:12, 1Ki 21:8
may no man reverse: No, not the king himself; and this was the reason that the king was forced not to reverse, but to give a contradictory decree; that if the Jews, pursuant to the first decree, were assaulted, they might legitimately, by virtue of the second, defend themselves, slay their enemies, and even take the spoil. Est 8:5, Est 1:19, Dan 6:8, Dan 6:12-15, 2Ti 2:19, Heb 6:17, Heb 6:18
Reciprocal: Gen 41:42 – his ring 2Ch 30:5 – established Est 3:10 – took Dan 6:15 – Know Col 2:14 – the handwriting
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Est 8:8. Write ye also for the Jews On their behalf, to the governors and commanders of the kings forces, or to whom you please. In the kings name, and seal it with the kings ring I offer you my authority and seal, to confirm whatsoever you shall think fit to write. The writing which is written in the kings name, &c., may no man reverse This reason may belong, either, 1st, To the writing of these present letters; and then the sense is, These letters will be most effectual, being no less irrevocable than the former, and, coming last, will repeal the former. Or, 2d, To the former letters, as a reason why he could not grant their desires in recalling them, because they were irrevocable by the laws of the Medes and Persians. And this sense, though rejected by many, seems to be the truest, because here is no mention of reversing Hamans letters, which Esther had desired, Est 8:5, and the king denied, for the reason here alleged; and because the following letter doth not contain one word about the reversing of the former, nor doth it take away that power which was given to all rulers to destroy all the Jews, Est 3:12-13; but only gives the Jews power and authority to stand up in their own defence, Est 8:11, which, all circumstances considered, was sufficient for their preservation. How much more prudent is our constitution than that of the Persians, that no law whatever can be so established as to be unrepealable. It is Gods prerogative not to repent, and to say what can never be altered.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
8:8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal [it] with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may {e} no man reverse.
(e) This was the law of the Medes and Persians, as in Dan 6:15 nonetheless the king revoked the former decree granted to Haman for Esther’s sake.