Esther Chapter 8
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בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא נָתַ֞ן הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ֙ לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית הָמָ֖ן צֹרֵ֣ר (היהודיים) [הַיְּהוּדִ֑ים] וּמׇרְדֳּכַ֗י בָּ֚א לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥ידָה אֶסְתֵּ֖ר מַ֥ה הוּא־לָֽהּ׃
That day, King Achashverosh awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the oppressor of the Yehudim. And Mordechai appeared before the king, for Esther had told him how he was related to her.
On that day king Aĥashverosh gave the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy to Ester the queen. And Mordokhay came before the king; for Ester had told him what he was to her.
On that day, King Achashverosh gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, oppressor of the Jews; and Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told him what he was to her [i.e., how he was related to her].
On that day king 🤴🏽 gave the 🏠 of 👺 the ✡️’ enemy to 👸🏽 the queen. And 👳🏽♂️ came before the king; for 👸🏽 had told him what he was to her.
וַיָּ֨סַר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־טַבַּעְתּ֗וֹ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֶֽעֱבִיר֙ מֵֽהָמָ֔ן וַֽיִּתְּנָ֖הּ לְמׇרְדֳּכָ֑י וַתָּ֧שֶׂם אֶסְתֵּ֛ר אֶֽת־מׇרְדֳּכַ֖י עַל־בֵּ֥ית הָמָֽן׃{ס}
The king removed his ring, which he had confiscated from Haman, and presented it to Mordechai. And Esther authorized Mordechai to take custody of Haman’s estate.
And the king took off his ring which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordokhay. And Ester set Mordokhay over the house of Haman.
And the king removed his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and he gave it to Mordecai; and Esther placed Mordecai over the house of Haman.
And the king took off his 💍 which he had taken from 👺, and gave it to 👳🏽♂️. And 👸🏽 set 👳🏽♂️ over the 🏠 of 👺.
וַתּ֣וֹסֶף אֶסְתֵּ֗ר וַתְּדַבֵּר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַתִּפֹּ֖ל לִפְנֵ֣י רַגְלָ֑יו וַתֵּ֣בְךְּ וַתִּתְחַנֶּן־ל֗וֹ לְהַֽעֲבִיר֙ אֶת־רָעַת֙ הָמָ֣ן הָֽאֲגָגִ֔י וְאֵת֙ מַֽחֲשַׁבְתּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָשַׁ֖ב עַל־הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃
Esther spoke again before the king. She threw herself at his feet and wept, and pleaded with him to divert the evil decree of Haman the Agagite; and his scheme which he had devised against the Yehudim.
And Ester spoke once more before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to avert the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his scheme that he had devised against the Jews.
And Esther spoke once more before the king, and she fell at his feet, and she wept, and she pleaded with him to annul the evil [counsel] of Haman the Agagite and his plot which he had plotted against the Jews.
And 👸🏽 spoke once more before the king, and fell down at his 🦶, and 🙏 him with tears to avert the mischief of 👺 the Agagite, and his 🤔 that he had devised against the ✡️.
וַיּ֤וֹשֶׁט הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ לְאֶסְתֵּ֔ר אֵ֖ת שַׁרְבִ֣ט הַזָּהָ֑ב וַתָּ֣קׇם אֶסְתֵּ֔ר וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
The king extended the golden sceptre towards Esther. Esther rose, and stood before the king.
Then the king held out the golden sceptre towards Ester. So Ester arose, and stood before the king,
And the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre, and Esther arose and she stood before the king.
Then the king held out the golden sceptre towards 👸🏽. So 👸🏽 arose, and stood before the king,
וַ֠תֹּ֠אמֶר אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ ט֜וֹב וְאִם־מָצָ֧אתִי חֵ֣ן לְפָנָ֗יו וְכָשֵׁ֤ר הַדָּבָר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְטוֹבָ֥ה אֲנִ֖י בְּעֵינָ֑יו יִכָּתֵ֞ב לְהָשִׁ֣יב אֶת־הַסְּפָרִ֗ים מַחֲשֶׁ֜בֶת הָמָ֤ן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֙תָא֙ הָאֲגָגִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּתַ֗ב לְאַבֵּד֙ אֶת־הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּכׇל־מְדִינ֥וֹת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
She said, “If his majesty deems it proper, and if I have gained favor before him, and the matter seems fitting before his majesty, and I am pleasing in his eyes; then let a writ be issued rescinding the documents conceived by Haman, the son of Hamdasa, the Agagite, that he wrote ordering the annihilation of the Yehudim who reside in all the providence of the king.
and said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedata the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king’s provinces:
And she said: If it please the king, and if I have found favor before him, and the thing be right before the king, and it be good in his eyes, let it be written to return the letters, the plotting of Haman the son of Hamdatha the Agagite, which he wrote, to destroy all the Jews in the king's provinces.
and said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his 👁️, let an order be written to revoke the 📜 devised by 👺 the son of Hammedata the Agagite, which he ✍️ to destroy the ✡️ who are in all the king’s provinces:
כִּ֠י אֵיכָכָ֤ה אוּכַל֙ וְֽרָאִ֔יתִי בָּרָעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־יִמְצָ֣א אֶת־עַמִּ֑י וְאֵֽיכָכָ֤ה אוּכַל֙ וְֽרָאִ֔יתִי בְּאׇבְדַ֖ן מוֹלַדְתִּֽי׃{ס}
For how can I possibly look on while catastrophe befalls my people? And how can I possibly look on while my heritage is annihilated?
for how can I endure to see the evil that shall befall my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
For how can I see the evil that is to befall my people, and how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?
for how can I endure to see the 👎 that shall befall my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹשׁ֙ לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה וּֽלְמׇרְדֳּכַ֖י הַיְּהוּדִ֑י הִנֵּ֨ה בֵית־הָמָ֜ן נָתַ֣תִּי לְאֶסְתֵּ֗ר וְאֹתוֹ֙ תָּל֣וּ עַל־הָעֵ֔ץ עַ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַ֥ח יָד֖וֹ (ביהודיים) [בַּיְּהוּדִֽים]׃
King Achashverosh said to Queen Esther and to Mordechai the Yehudi, “Here, I have given Haman’s estate to Esther, and he was hung from the gallows for attacking the Yehudim.
Then the king Aĥashverosh said to Ester the queen and to Mordokhay the Jew, Behold, I have given Ester the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he would lay his hand upon the Jews.
And King Achashverosh said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew: Behold, I have given the house of Haman to Esther, and him have they hanged upon the gallows because he set his hand against the Jews.
Then the king 🤴🏽 said to 👸🏽 the queen and to 👳🏽♂️ the ✡️, Behold, I have given 👸🏽 the 🏠 of 👺, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he would lay his ✋ upon the ✡️.
וְ֠אַתֶּ֠ם כִּתְב֨וּ עַל־הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים כַּטּ֤וֹב בְּעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ בְּשֵׁ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְחִתְמ֖וּ בְּטַבַּ֣עַת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּֽי־כְתָ֞ב אֲשֶׁר־נִכְתָּ֣ב בְּשֵׁם־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וְנַחְתּ֛וֹם בְּטַבַּ֥עַת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֵ֥ין לְהָשִֽׁיב׃
Thus, you may issue a writ concerning the Yehudim as you please, in the name of the king and you may seal it with the king’s ring; for a writ issued in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring, is not rescindable.
Write also as you please about the Jews in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: but the writing which is already written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, cannot be revoked.
And you, write about the Jews as is fit in your eyes in the name of the king, and seal it with the king's ring; for it is not [seemly] to rescind [(and thus "perjure")] the writ which is written in the king's name and sealed with the king's ring.
Write also as you please about the ✡️ in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s 💍: but the 📝 which is already written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s 💍, cannot be revoked.
וַיִּקָּרְא֣וּ סֹפְרֵֽי־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ בָּֽעֵת־הַ֠הִ֠יא בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ סִיוָ֗ן בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֣ה וְעֶשְׂרִים֮ בּוֹ֒ וַיִּכָּתֵ֣ב כְּֽכׇל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה מׇרְדֳּכַ֣י אֶל־הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים וְאֶ֣ל הָאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִֽים־וְהַפַּחוֹת֩ וְשָׂרֵ֨י הַמְּדִינ֜וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר**׀** מֵהֹ֣דּוּ וְעַד־כּ֗וּשׁ שֶׁ֣בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּמֵאָה֙ מְדִינָ֔ה מְדִינָ֤ה וּמְדִינָה֙ כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ וְעַ֥ם וָעָ֖ם כִּלְשֹׁנ֑וֹ וְאֶ֨ל־הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים כִּכְתָבָ֖ם וְכִלְשׁוֹנָֽם׃
The royal scribes were summoned at that time, during the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty third of the month, and transcripts were made of all of Mordechai’s directives, to the Yehudim, to the envoys, to the governors, and to the ministers of the colonies which extended from Hodu until Kush, one hundred and twenty-seven colonies; each and every colony in its own script, each and every people in its own language. Also, to the Yehudim, in their script and their language.
Then the king’s scribes were called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the twenty third day of the month; and an order was written, according to all that Mordokhay commanded, to the Jews, and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces, from Hoddu as far as Kush, a hundred and twenty seven provinces, to every province according to its writing, and to every people according to their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
And the king's scribes were called at that time, in the third month, the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day thereof. And it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, to the satraps, to the governors, and to the princes of the provinces from Hodu until Kush, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, each province according to its script, and each people according to its tongue — and to the Jews according to their script and according to their tongue —
Then the king’s scribes were 🗣️ at that 🕰️ in the 3️⃣ 🌜, that is, the 🌜 Sivan, on the twenty 3️⃣ day of the 🌜; and an order was written, according to all that 👳🏽♂️ commanded, to the ✡️, and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces, from 🇮🇳 as far as 🇪🇹, a 💯 and twenty 7️⃣ provinces, to every province according to its 📝, and to every people according to their language, and to the ✡️ according to their 📝, and according to their language.
וַיִּכְתֹּ֗ב בְּשֵׁם֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹ֔שׁ וַיַּחְתֹּ֖ם בְּטַבַּ֣עַת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח סְפָרִ֡ים בְּיַד֩ הָרָצִ֨ים בַּסּוּסִ֜ים רֹכְבֵ֤י הָרֶ֙כֶשׁ֙ הָֽאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים בְּנֵ֖י הָֽרַמָּכִֽים׃
He wrote in the name of King Achashverosh, sealed it with the king’s ring, and dispatched scrolls carried by couriers on horseback, riders of the royal breed, fleet dromedaries bred from ramachim.
And he wrote in the name of king Aĥashverosh, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on the swift horses used in the royal service, bred from the stud mares:
— and he wrote in the name of King Achashverosh, and he sealed it with the king's seal, and he sent letters with couriers on horseback, riders of the rechesh, the achashteranim, bred of the ramachim [i.e., riders of the swiftest animals] —
And he ✍️ in the name of king 🤴🏽, and sealed it with the king’s 💍, and sent 📜 by couriers on horseback, riding on the swift 🐴 used in the royal service, bred from the stud mares:
אֲשֶׁר֩ נָתַ֨ן הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לַיְּהוּדִ֣ים**׀** אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּכׇל־עִיר־וָעִ֗יר לְהִקָּהֵל֮ וְלַעֲמֹ֣ד עַל־נַפְשָׁם֒ לְהַשְׁמִיד֩ וְלַהֲרֹ֨ג¹ וּלְאַבֵּ֜ד אֶת־כׇּל־חֵ֨יל עַ֧ם וּמְדִינָ֛ה הַצָּרִ֥ים אֹתָ֖ם טַ֣ף וְנָשִׁ֑ים וּשְׁלָלָ֖ם לָבֽוֹז׃
footnotes: ¹ (במגילות אשכנז לַהֲרֹ֨ג)
Namely that the king authorized the Yehudim in each and every city to assemble and stand in defense of their lives; to destroy, slaughter, and annihilate the military forces of any people or colony oppressing them, their children and women; with their booty to be taken.
by these the king granted the Jews who were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand up for themselves, to destroy, to slay, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might assault them, with their little ones and women, and to plunder their goods;
that the king authorized the Jews in every city to congregate and to defend their lives, to destroy, kill and annihilate the powers of any people or province that oppressed them [viz. 3:13], (even) young children and women, and to take their spoils.
by these the king granted the ✡️ who were in every 🏙️ to gather themselves together, and to stand up for themselves, to destroy, to slay, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might assault them, with their little ones and women, and to plunder their 👍;
בְּי֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד בְּכׇל־מְדִינ֖וֹת הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר הוּא־חֹ֥דֶשׁ אֲדָֽר׃
On a single day, in all the colonies of King Achashverosh—on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
on one day in all the provinces of king Aĥashverosh, namely, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
On one day, in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
on 1️⃣ day in all the provinces of king 🤴🏽, namely, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth 🌜, which is the 🌜 Adar.
פַּתְשֶׁ֣גֶן הַכְּתָ֗ב לְהִנָּ֤תֵֽן דָּת֙ בְּכׇל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֔ה גָּל֖וּי לְכׇל־הָעַמִּ֑ים וְלִהְי֨וֹת (היהודיים) [הַיְּהוּדִ֤ים] (עתודים) [עֲתִידִים֙] לַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה לְהִנָּקֵ֖ם מֵאֹיְבֵיהֶֽם׃
The terms of the writ would become legally binding in each and every colony, displayed conspicuously before all the peoples, so that the Yehudim would be poised, on that day, to exact vengeance on their enemies.
The copy of the writing to be given out for a commandment in every province was to be published to all the peoples, and that the Jews should be ready by that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
The burden of the letter — that it be promulgated in every province, (and made) manifest to all the peoples, and that the Jews be in readiness for this day to take revenge of their foes.
The copy of the 📝 to be given out for a commandment in every province was to be published to all the peoples, and that the ✡️ should be ready by that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
הָרָצִ֞ים רֹכְבֵ֤י הָרֶ֙כֶשׁ֙ הָֽאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים יָ֥צְא֛וּ מְבֹהָלִ֥ים וּדְחוּפִ֖ים בִּדְבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְהַדָּ֥ת נִתְּנָ֖ה בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה׃{ס}
The couriers, riders of the royal breed, the fleet dromedaries, rushed away by urgent royal command, and the decree was delivered in the capital city of Shushan.
So the couriers who rode on horseback, riding on the swift horses used in the royal service, went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the capital.
The couriers, riders of the rechesh, the achashteranim [viz. 10] sped out at the word of the king [(to overtake the first riders)], and the ordinance was promulgated in Shushan, the capital.
So the couriers who rode on horseback, riding on the swift 🐴 used in the royal service, went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the 🏛️.
וּמׇרְדֳּכַ֞י יָצָ֣א**׀** מִלִּפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ בִּלְב֤וּשׁ מַלְכוּת֙ תְּכֵ֣לֶת וָח֔וּר וַעֲטֶ֤רֶת זָהָב֙ גְּדוֹלָ֔ה וְתַכְרִ֥יךְ בּ֖וּץ וְאַרְגָּמָ֑ן וְהָעִ֣יר שׁוּשָׁ֔ן צָהֲלָ֖ה וְשָׂמֵֽחָה׃
Mordechai emerged from the king’s presence attired in majestic garb of bluish techeiles wool and pure white, with a great golden crown, and a cloak of linen and purple, argaman wool. And the city of Shushan was blissfully joyful.
And Mordokhay went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a wrap of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
And Mordecai went out from before the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a wrap of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan exulted and rejoiced.
And 👳🏽♂️ went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of 🔵 and white, and with a great 👑 of 🏆, and with a wrap of fine linen and purple: and the 🏙️ of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
לַיְּהוּדִ֕ים הָֽיְתָ֥ה אוֹרָ֖ה וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה וְשָׂשֹׂ֖ן וִיקָֽר׃
For the Yehudim, there was radiance, joy, delight, and glory.
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
For the Jews, there was light, and joy, and rejoicing, and glory.
The ✡️ had 🔆, and gladness, and 😄, and honour.
וּבְכׇל־מְדִינָ֨ה וּמְדִינָ֜ה וּבְכׇל־עִ֣יר וָעִ֗יר מְקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְדָתוֹ֙ מַגִּ֔יעַ שִׂמְחָ֤ה וְשָׂשׂוֹן֙ לַיְּהוּדִ֔ים מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה וְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב וְרַבִּ֞ים מֵֽעַמֵּ֤י הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ מִֽתְיַהֲדִ֔ים כִּֽי־נָפַ֥ל פַּֽחַד־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
In each and every colony, each and every city, every place where with the king’s directive and bylaw reached, there was joy and delight for the Jews, festivity and days of celebration, with many among the people of the land converting to Judaism, as the awesomeness of the Yehudim had descended over them.
And in every province, and in every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
And in every province, and in every city, where the edict and the ordinance of the king arrived, joy and rejoicing for the Jews, feasting and festival; and many of the people of the land became Jews, for the awe of the Jews fell upon them.
And in every province, and in every 🏙️, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the ✡️ had 😄 and gladness, a 🎉 and a holiday. And many of the people of the land became ✡️; for the 😨 of the ✡️ fell upon them.