Chapter Overview
Summary
Esther receives Haman's estate, Mordecai is elevated, and a second decree permits Jewish self-defense. The LXX follows the MT closely. Addition E (the full text of the king's second decree, 24 verses) is inserted after 8:12 in the LXX.
Notable Variants
The LXX adds theological language to the decree's justification. After 8:12, Addition E provides the complete text of the second decree in 24 verses — a lengthy document that explicitly names God as the protector of the Jews and denounces Haman as a Macedonian conspirator (not a Persian).
Structural Notes
Both versions have 17 verses. Addition E (24 verses) follows v. 12.
On that same day, King Ahasuerus gave the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther. And Mordecai came into the king's presence, because Esther had disclosed what he was to her.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
The king removed his signet ring — the one he had taken back from Haman — and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther placed Mordecai in charge of Haman's estate.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
Esther spoke again before the king. She fell at his feet, weeping, and pleaded with him to undo the evil of Haman the Agagite and the scheme he had devised against the Jews.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
The king extended the gold scepter toward Esther, and Esther rose and stood before the king.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor before him, and if the matter seems right to the king, and if I am pleasing in his eyes — let a decree be written to revoke the documents carrying out the scheme of Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king's provinces."
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
For how could I bear to watch the disaster that would overtake my people? How could I bear to watch the destruction of my kindred?
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, "I have already given Haman's estate to Esther, and they have hanged him on the pole because he raised his hand against the Jews."
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
"Now you yourselves write on behalf of the Jews whatever seems right to you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring — for a document written in the king's name and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked."
Masoretic (WLC)
כִּי כְתָב אֲשֶׁר נִכְתָּב בְּשֵׁם הַמֶּלֶךְ
a decree written in the king's name
Septuagint (LXX)
ὅσα γὰρ γράφεται τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπιτάξαντος
whatever is written at the king's command
Both versions establish the legal principle: a Persian royal decree cannot be revoked, only counteracted.
The king's scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month — the month of Sivan — on its twenty-third day. Everything Mordecai commanded was written down: to the Jews, to the satraps, the governors, and the officials of the provinces from India to Cush — one hundred twenty-seven provinces — to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and to the Jews in their script and their language.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king's ring, then sent documents by couriers on horseback, riding swift royal steeds bred from the king's stables.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
In it the king granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and defend their lives — to annihilate, kill, and destroy any armed force of any people or province that would attack them, along with their women and children, and to seize their property as plunder.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
This was to take effect on a single day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus: the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
Masoretic (WLC)
בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁה עָשָׂר לְחֹדֶשׁ שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר הוּא חֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר
on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar
Septuagint (LXX)
ἐν ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ... τρισκαιδεκάτῃ τοῦ δωδεκάτου μηνός ὅς ἐστιν Αδαρ
on one day, the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is Adar
Both versions agree on the date. After this verse, the LXX inserts Addition E — the full text of the royal counter-decree (24 verses). See addition-E.json.
A copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province and made public to all peoples, so that the Jews would be prepared on that day to take vengeance on their enemies.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
The couriers, riding the swift royal steeds, went out urgently, driven by the king's command. And the decree was issued in the citadel of Susa.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
Mordecai left the king's presence in royal robes of blue and white, wearing a large gold crown, with a cloak of fine linen and purple. The city of Susa burst into celebration and joy.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
In every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his law arrived, there was gladness and joy among the Jews — feasting and celebration. And many of the peoples of the land declared themselves Jews, because dread of the Jews had fallen on them.
Masoretic (WLC)
וְרַבִּים מֵעַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ מִתְיַהֲדִים
many from the peoples of the land became Jews
Septuagint (LXX)
πολλοὶ τῶν ἐθνῶν περιετέμοντο καὶ ἰουδάϊζον
many of the nations were circumcised and became Jews
The LXX explicitly states that the converts 'were circumcised' (perietemonto) — specifying the means of conversion. The MT uses the more general mityahadim ('became Jews/Judaized'). The LXX also adds 'because of the fear of the Jews' more emphatically.