Esther 8:7
What does Esther 8:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 8:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 8:7 means
The king answers by pointing to what has already been done: Haman’s property has been given to Esther, and Haman himself has been hanged for attacking the Jews. This acknowledges justice served against the instigator. Yet the king’s words also prepare for the next step; past judgments, while right, do not by themselves shield the Jews from a decree still in force. By addressing both Esther and Mordecai, the king recognizes Mordecai’s new authority. Justice against Haman is the foundation; now provision for the people must follow. The verse reassures Esther while signaling readiness to empower a legal remedy proportionate to the original threat.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, See now, I have given Esther the family of Haman, and he has come to his death by hanging, because he made an attack on the Jews.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the king Ahasuerus saith to Esther the queen, and to Mordecai the Jew, `Lo, the house of Haman I have given to Esther, and him they have hanged on the tree, because that he put forth his hand on the Jews,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And king Assuerus answered Esther the queen, and Mardochai the Jew: I have given Aman's house to Esther, and I have commanded him to be hanged on a gibbet, because he durst lay hands on the Jews.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And king Ahasuerus said to queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he stretched forth his hand against the Jews.
Context
Following Esther’s heartfelt plea (verses 5–6), verse 7 gives the king’s initial response. He recounts Haman’s downfall, confirming royal alignment with Esther’s cause. This sets up verse 8, where the king will grant authority to Esther and Mordecai to write a new decree in the king’s name. The narrative is moving from acknowledgment to authorization, transitioning the focus from courtroom justice to empire-wide legislation intended to rescue the Jews from danger on the appointed day.
v.6for how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
v.7This passage
v.8Write ye also to the Jews, as it pleaseth 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 7:10
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
- Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
- 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.