Esther 8:1
What does Esther 8:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 8:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 8:1 means
This opening verse describes a sweeping reversal. The very day Haman fell, King Ahasuerus gave Haman’s entire estate—his wealth, servants, and property—to Esther. The enemy of the Jews was stripped of everything. Then Mordecai, long concealed as merely a court official at the gate, was brought before the king because Esther finally revealed their family bond. Hidden identities come into the light, and with that revelation, God’s providential turn becomes visible. The household that plotted Jewish ruin now becomes a resource in the hands of Esther, who used her influence to protect her people. Haman’s downfall is not only punishment; it becomes provision for the persecuted.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
KJV
King James Version · 1611On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949That day the king gave all the family of Haman, the hater of the Jews, to Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had made clear what he was to her.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862On that day hath the king Ahasuerus given to Esther the queen the house of Haman, adversary of the Jews, and Mordecai hath come in before the king, for Esther hath declared what he <FI>is<Fi> to her,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752On that day king Assuerus gave the house of Aman, the Jews' enemy, to queen Esther, and Mardochai came in before the king. For Esther had confessed to him that he was her uncle.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890On that day did king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' oppressor to Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was to her.
Context
Chapter 8 follows the exposure and execution of Haman in chapter 7. With the threat still lingering in Haman’s unrepealed decree, the narrative now turns to what will be done for the Jews. Verse 1 signals the shift: the enemy’s estate changes hands, and Mordecai is openly identified. This sets up Mordecai’s elevation in verse 2 and prepares for Esther’s renewed intercession in verses 3–6 to address the still-active genocidal letters Haman had sent throughout the empire.
v.1This passage
v.2And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children; And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.
- Esther 1:14
and the next unto him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat first in the kingdom),
- Esther 2:15
Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
- Luke 12:20
But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?
- Psalms 39:6
Surely every man walketh in a vain show; Surely they are disquieted in vain: He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
- Job 27:16
Though he heap up silver as the dust, And prepare raiment as the clay;