Esther 8 אֶסְתֵּר פרק ח׳

Masoretic Text, word by word with transliteration and English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open Esther 8 in the interlinear reader for roots and notes, or listen to it read aloud in Hebrew.

1. 1

   בַּיּוֹםbay/YOMin the dayהַהוּאha/HUthatנָתַןna/TANgaveהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁA/chash/ve/ROSHAhasuerusלְאֶסְתֵּרle/Es/TERto Estherהַמַּלְכָּהham/mal/KAthe queenאֶת־בֵּיתet-betthe house ofהָמָןHa/MANHamanצֹרֵרtso/RERthe enemy of(היהודיים)hayahavadayayam[הַיְּהוּדִים]Hay/ye/hu/DIMthe Jewsוּמׇרְדֳּכַיu/Mor/do/KHAYand Mordecaiבָּאbacameלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingכִּי־הִגִּידָהki-hig/GI/dafor had toldאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherמַהmawhatהוּא־לָהּ׃hu-lahe was to her

   On 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.

2. 2

   וַיָּסַרvay/YA/sarand took offהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֶת־טַבַּעְתּוֹet-tab/ba/TOhis ringאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhichהֶעֱבִירhe/e/VIRhe had takenמֵהָמָןme/Ha/MANfrom Hamanוַיִּתְּנָהּvay/yit/te/NAand gave itלְמׇרְדֳּכָיle/Mor/do/KHAYto Mordecaiוַתָּשֶׂםvat/TA/semand setאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherאֶת־מׇרְדֳּכַיet-Mor/do/KHAYMordecaiעַל־בֵּיתal-betover the house ofהָמָן׃Ha/MANHaman

   And 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.

3. 3

   וַתּוֹסֶףvat/TO/sefand againאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherוַתְּדַבֵּרvat/te/dab/BERand spokeלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוַתִּפֹּלvat/tip/POLand fell downלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeרַגְלָיוrag/LAYVhis feetוַתֵּבְךְּvat/TEVKand weptוַתִּתְחַנֶּן־לוֹvat/tit/chan/NEN-loand besought himלְהַעֲבִירle/ha/a/VIRto put awayאֶת־רָעַתet-ra/ATthe mischief ofהָמָןHa/MANHamanהָאֲגָגִיha/A/ga/GIthe Agagiteוְאֵתve/ETandמַחֲשַׁבְתּוֹma/cha/shav/TOhis deviceאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatחָשַׁבcha/SHAVhe had devisedעַל־הַיְּהוּדִים׃al-Hay/ye/hu/DIMagainst the Jews

   And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.

4. 4

   וַיּוֹשֶׁטvay/YO/shetand held outהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingלְאֶסְתֵּרle/Es/TERto Estherאֵת־שַׁרְבִטet-shar/VITthe scepterהַזָּהָבhaz/za/HAVgoldenוַתָּקׇםvat/TA/komand she aroseאֶסְתֵּרEs/TEREstherוַתַּעֲמֹדvat/ta/a/MODand stoodלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeהַמֶּלֶךְ׃ham/ME/lekhthe king

   Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,

5. 5

   וַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand saidאִם־עַל־הַמֶּלֶךְim-al-ham/ME/lekhif to the kingטוֹבtovit seem goodוְאִם־מָצָאתִיve/IM-ma/TSA/tiand if I have foundחֵןchenfavorלְפָנָיוle/fa/NAYVbefore himוְכָשֵׁרve/kha/SHERand seem rightהַדָּבָרhad/da/VARthe thingלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוְטוֹבָהve/to/VAand pleasingאֲנִיa/NII beבְּעֵינָיוbe/e/NAYVin his eyesיִכָּתֵבyik/ka/TEVlet it be writtenלְהָשִׁיבle/ha/SHIVto reverseאֶת־הַסְּפָרִיםet-has/se/fa/RIMthe lettersמַחֲשֶׁבֶתma/cha/SHE/vetthe device ofהָמָןHa/MANHamanבֶּן־הַמְּדָתָאben-Ham/me/DA/tathe son of Hammedathaהָאֲגָגִיha/A/ga/GIthe Agagiteאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhichכָּתַבka/TAVhe wroteלְאַבֵּדle/ab/BEDto destroyאֶת־הַיְּהוּדִיםet-Hay/ye/hu/DIMthe Jewsאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthat areבְּכׇל־מְדִינוֹתbe/KHOL-me/di/NOTin all the provinces ofהַמֶּלֶךְ׃ham/ME/lekhthe 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 it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:

6. 6

   כִּיkiforאֵיכָכָהe/KHA/khahowאוּכַלu/KHALcan Iוְרָאִיתִיve/ra/I/tiand seeבָּרָעָהba/ra/Athe evilאֲשֶׁר־יִמְצָאa/SHER-yim/TSAthat shall come uponאֶת־עַמִּיet-am/MImy peopleוְאֵיכָכָהve/e/kha/KHAand howאוּכַלu/KHALcan Iוְרָאִיתִיve/ra/I/tiand seeבְּאׇבְדַןbe/ov/DANthe destruction ofמוֹלַדְתִּי׃mo/lad/TImy kindred

   For 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?

7. 7

   וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֲחַשְׁוֵרֹשׁA/chash/ve/ROSHAhasuerusלְאֶסְתֵּרle/Es/TERto Estherהַמַּלְכָּהham/mal/KAthe queenוּלְמׇרְדֳּכַיu/Le/mor/do/KHAYand to Mordecaiהַיְּהוּדִיhay/Ye/hu/DIthe Jewהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdבֵית־הָמָןvet-Ha/MANthe house of Hamanנָתַתִּיna/TAT/tiI have givenלְאֶסְתֵּרle/Es/TERto Estherוְאֹתוֹve/o/TOand himתָּלוּta/LUthey have hangedעַל־הָעֵץal-ha/ETSupon the gallowsעַלalbecauseאֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַחa/SHER-sha/LACHhe laidיָדוֹya/DOhis hand[בַּיְּהוּדִים]׃Bay/ye/hu/DIMupon the Jews

   Then 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.

8. 8

   וְאַתֶּםve/at/TEMand youכִּתְבוּkit/VUwriteעַל־הַיְּהוּדִיםal-Hay/ye/hu/DIMfor the Jewsכַּטּוֹבkat/TOVas it seems goodבְּעֵינֵיכֶםbe/e/ne/KHEMin your eyesבְּשֵׁםbe/SHEMin the name ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוְחִתְמוּve/chit/MUand seal itבְּטַבַּעַתbe/tab/BA/atwith the signet ring ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingכִּי־כְתָבki-khe/TAVfor the writingאֲשֶׁר־נִכְתָּבa/SHER-nikh/TAVwhich is writtenבְּשֵׁם־הַמֶּלֶךְbe/SHEM-ham/ME/lekhin the king's nameוְנַחְתּוֹםve/nach/TOMand sealedבְּטַבַּעַתbe/tab/BA/atwith the signet ring ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֵיןenmay no manלְהָשִׁיב׃le/ha/SHIVreverse

   Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh 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.

9. 9

   וַיִּקָּרְאוּvay/yik/ka/re/Uthen were calledסֹפְרֵי־הַמֶּלֶךְsof/RE-ham/ME/lekhthe king's scribesבָּעֵת־הַהִיאba/ET-ha/HIat that timeבַּחֹדֶשׁba/CHO/deshin the monthהַשְּׁלִישִׁיhash/she/li/SHIthe thirdהוּא־חֹדֶשׁhu-CHO/deshthat is the monthסִיוָןSi/VANSivanבִּשְׁלוֹשָׁהbish/lo/SHAon the threeוְעֶשְׂרִיםve/es/RIMand twentyבּוֹboof itוַיִּכָּתֵבvay/yik/ka/TEVand it was writtenכְּכׇל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּהke/KHOL-a/SHER-tsiv/VAaccording to all that commandedמׇרְדֳּכַיMor/do/KHAYMordecaiאֶל־הַיְּהוּדִיםel-Hay/ye/hu/DIMto the Jewsוְאֶלve/ELand toהָאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִים־וְהַפַּחוֹתha/a/chash/dar/pe/NIM-ve/hap/pa/CHOTthe satraps and the governorsוְשָׂרֵיve/sa/REand the princes ofהַמְּדִינוֹתham/me/di/NOTthe provincesאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhich areמֵהֹדּוּme/HOD/dufrom Indiaוְעַד־כּוּשׁve/AD-kusheven to CushשֶׁבַעSHE/vasevenוְעֶשְׂרִיםve/es/RIMand twentyוּמֵאָהu/me/Aand a hundredמְדִינָהme/di/NAprovincesמְדִינָהme/di/NAprovinceוּמְדִינָהu/me/di/NAand provinceכִּכְתָבָהּkikh/ta/VAaccording to its writingוְעַםve/AMand peopleוָעָםva/AMand peopleכִּלְשֹׁנוֹkil/sho/NOaccording to its languageוְאֶל־הַיְּהוּדִיםve/EL-hay/ye/hu/DIMand to the Jewsכִּכְתָבָםkikh/ta/VAMaccording to their writingוְכִלְשׁוֹנָם׃ve/khil/sho/NAMand according to their language

   Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

10. 10

    וַיִּכְתֹּבvay/yikh/TOVand he wroteבְּשֵׁםbe/SHEMin the name ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֲחַשְׁוֵרֹשׁA/chash/ve/ROSHAhasuerusוַיַּחְתֹּםvay/yach/TOMand sealed itבְּטַבַּעַתbe/tab/BA/atwith the signet ring ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוַיִּשְׁלַחvay/yish/LACHand sentסְפָרִיםse/fa/RIMlettersבְּיַדbe/YADbyהָרָצִיםha/ra/TSIMthe runnersבַּסּוּסִיםbas/su/SIMon horsebackרֹכְבֵיrokh/VEridingהָרֶכֶשׁha/RE/kheshswift steedsהָאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִיםha/a/chash/te/ra/NIMthe royalבְּנֵיbe/NEoffspring ofהָרַמָּכִים׃ha/ram/ma/KHIMthe mares

    And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:

11. 11

    אֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatנָתַןna/TANgrantedהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingלַיְּהוּדִיםlay/Ye/hu/DIMto the Jewsאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatבְּכׇל־עִיר־וָעִירbe/KHOL-ir-va/IRin every cityלְהִקָּהֵלle/hik/ka/HELto gather themselves togetherוְלַעֲמֹדve/la/a/MODand to standעַל־נַפְשָׁםal-naf/SHAMfor their lifeלְהַשְׁמִידle/hash/MIDto destroyוְלַהֲרֹגve/la/ha/ROGand to slayוּלְאַבֵּדu/le/ab/BEDand to cause to perishאֶת־כׇּל־חֵילet-kol-chelall the power ofעַםampeopleוּמְדִינָהu/me/di/NAand provinceהַצָּרִיםhats/tsa/RIMthat would assaultאֹתָםo/TAMthemטַףtaflittle onesוְנָשִׁיםve/na/SHIMand womenוּשְׁלָלָםu/she/la/LAMand their spoilלָבוֹז׃la/VOZto take for a prey

    Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,

12. 12

    בְּיוֹםbe/YOMin the day ofאֶחָדe/CHADoneבְּכׇל־מְדִינוֹתbe/KHOL-me/di/NOTin all the provinces ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁA/chash/ve/ROSHAhasuerusבִּשְׁלוֹשָׁה־עָשָׂרbish/lo/SHA-a/SARon the thirteenthלְחֹדֶשׁle/CHO/deshof the monthשְׁנֵים־עָשָׂרshe/NEM-a/SARtwelveהוּא־חֹדֶשׁhu-CHO/deshthat is the monthאֲדָר׃A/DARAdar

    Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

13. 13

    פַּתְשֶׁגֶןpat/SHE/genthe copy ofהַכְּתָבhak/ke/TAVthe writingלְהִנָּתֵןle/hin/NA/tento be given asדָּתdata decreeבְּכׇל־מְדִינָהbe/KHOL-me/di/NAin every provinceוּמְדִינָהu/me/di/NAand provinceגָּלוּיga/LUYpublishedלְכׇל־הָעַמִּיםle/KHOL-ha/am/MIMto all the peoplesוְלִהְיוֹתve/lih/YOTand that should be(היהודיים)hayahavadayayam[הַיְּהוּדִים]Hay/ye/hu/DIMthe Jews(עתודים)tavadayam[עֲתִידִים]a/ti/DIMreadyלַיּוֹםlay/YOMfor the dayהַזֶּהhaz/ZEthisלְהִנָּקֵםle/hin/na/KEMto take vengeanceמֵאֹיְבֵיהֶם׃me/oy/ve/HEMon their enemies

    The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

14. 14

    הָרָצִיםha/ra/TSIMthe runnersרֹכְבֵיrokh/VEriders onהָרֶכֶשׁha/RE/kheshthe steedsהָאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִיםha/a/chash/te/ra/NIMthe royalיָצְאוּya/tse/Uwent forthמְבֹהָלִיםme/vo/ha/LIMbeing hastenedוּדְחוּפִיםu/de/chu/FIMand pressed onבִּדְבַרbid/VARby the word ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוְהַדָּתve/had/DATand the decreeנִתְּנָהnit/te/NAwas givenבְּשׁוּשַׁןbe/Shu/SHANin Shushanהַבִּירָה׃hab/bi/RAthe citadel

    So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.

15. 15

    וּמׇרְדֳּכַיu/Mor/do/KHAYand Mordecaiיָצָאya/TSAwent outמִלִּפְנֵיmil/lif/NEfrom the presence ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingבִּלְבוּשׁbil/VUSHin apparel ofמַלְכוּתmal/KHUTroyaltyתְּכֵלֶתte/KHE/letblueוָחוּרva/CHURand whiteוַעֲטֶרֶתva/a/TE/retand with a crown ofזָהָבza/HAVgoldגְּדוֹלָהge/do/LAgreatוְתַכְרִיךְve/takh/RIKHand with a garment ofבּוּץbutsfine linenוְאַרְגָּמָןve/ar/ga/MANand purpleוְהָעִירve/ha/IRand the cityשׁוּשָׁןShu/SHANShushanצָהֲלָהtsa/ha/LAshoutedוְשָׂמֵחָה׃ve/sa/ME/chaand was glad

    And Mordecai 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 garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

16. 16

    לַיְּהוּדִיםlay/Ye/hu/DIMto the Jewsהָיְתָהha/ye/TAhadאוֹרָהo/RAlightוְשִׂמְחָהve/sim/CHAand gladnessוְשָׂשֹׂןve/sa/SONand joyוִיקָר׃vi/KARand honor

    The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

17. 17

    וּבְכׇל־מְדִינָהu/ve/KHOL-me/di/NAand in every provinceוּמְדִינָהu/me/di/NAand provinceוּבְכׇל־עִירu/ve/KHOL-irand in every cityוָעִירva/IRand cityמְקוֹםme/KOMthe placeאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhereדְּבַר־הַמֶּלֶךְde/VAR-ham/ME/lekhthe word of the kingוְדָתוֹve/da/TOand his decreeמַגִּיעַmag/GI/acameשִׂמְחָהsim/CHAgladnessוְשָׂשׂוֹןve/sa/SONand joyלַיְּהוּדִיםlay/Ye/hu/DIMfor the Jewsמִשְׁתֶּהmish/TEa feastוְיוֹםve/YOMand a dayטוֹבtovgoodוְרַבִּיםve/rab/BIMand manyמֵעַמֵּיme/am/MEof the peoples ofהָאָרֶץha/A/retsthe landמִתְיַהֲדִיםMit/ya/ha/DIMbecame Jewsכִּי־נָפַלki-na/FALfor had fallenפַּחַד־הַיְּהוּדִיםPA/chad-Hay/ye/hu/DIMthe fear of the Jewsעֲלֵיהֶם׃a/le/HEMupon them

    And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.