Esther 8:1
INTRODUCTION TO ESTHER 8
This chapter relates the gifts Ahasuerus gave to Esther and Mordecai, Es 8:1, the suit Esther made to him to reverse the letters for the destruction of the Jews, Es 8:3, which, though it could not be formally granted, was in effect done by letters sent to the Jews, giving them power to rise in their own defence, and slay their enemies, Es 8:7, the consequence of which, and the advancement of Mordecai, were matter of great joy to the Jews, Es 8:15.
Ver. 1. On that day did the King, Ahasuerus, give the house of Haman, the Jews' enemy, unto Esther the queen,.... That, and all the goods in it, and estate belonging to it; which being confiscated to the king, he gave to Esther, who would have been the sufferer, had his scheme taken place; so the Targum adds,
"and the men of his house, and all his treasures, and all his riches:''
and Mordecai came before the king; was introduced into his presence, became one of his privy counsellors, one of those that saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom, Es 1:14
for Esther had told what he was unto her; what relation he stood in to her; her uncle, according to the Vulgate Latin version, and so Aben Ezra and Josephus, but wrongly, for she was his uncle's daughter; so that they were brother's children, or own cousins, see Es 2:7.