Esther 8:8
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
8 (A)you in turn may write in the king’s name what you see fit concerning the Jews and seal the letter with the royal signet ring.” For a decree written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.[a]
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- 8:8 A decree written…cannot be revoked: the king cannot directly grant Esther’s request (v. 5) to revoke the previous decree against the Jews because of the irrevocable character of the laws of the Medes and Persians (see 1:19 and note). He can, however, empower Esther to issue another decree in his name to counteract the earlier one. The second decree authorizes the Jews to defend themselves against those who would kill them, which is what they do in 9:2. This is why the outcome of the two decrees is that the attackers are killed instead of the Jews, rather than a simple cancellation of all hostilities.
Esther 8:8
New International Version
8 Now write another decree(A) in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal(B) it with the king’s signet ring(C)—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”(D)
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