And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
The day Haman fell, his ring and his estate changed hands. The seal of power went to the man he had planned to hang. His house went to the queen he had marked for death. The verse is short, but it turns the whole book. Commentators see in it both a real appointment and a picture of Christ's rule.
From the gate to the king's presence
Until now Mordecai's post had been the palace gate. The verse marks his move into office. Commentators see more in it than one man's promotion.
J. G. BellettMordecai, instead of being any longer at the king's gate, now comes before the king and takes his ring, the seal of office and of authority, from his finger. So the Jew is lifted up at the end. All Scripture prepares us for this, and here it is illustrated.
His new place answers to the service he had already given.
William KellyMordecai no longer stays at the gate of the court. He is brought forward, as he deserves, to govern the kingdom here on earth. This follows service of the greatest value against treacherous men of blood.
What the ring was
The ring was not simply an ornament. It stood for the king's own authority.
Michael HardtIn chapter 8, Mordecai is rewarded with the signet ring the king had taken away from Haman. The signet ring is the emblem of royal authority (compare Genesis 41:42; Esther 3:12).
Esther's confession
Mordecai comes before the king because Esther speaks first. She tells him who Mordecai is to her.
H. L. RossierRescue is at hand. But first, Esther declares what Mordecai is to her — no longer just her origin and the people she belongs to. This is the highest confession of the Jewish wife. She openly declares her ties to the one who brought her up when she was an orphan. He counselled her and guided her in all her anguish.
The enemy's house handed to those he hunted
Haman's property does not simply vanish with him. It is given to Esther, and she puts Mordecai in charge of it — the very estate built by the man who wanted the Jews destroyed.
Leslie M. GrantKing Ahasuerus at once gave Esther all the possessions of Haman. The plundering of the enemy left great plunder for God's chosen one. The king gave to Mordecai the signet ring he had before given to Haman, so in effect appointing Mordecai a prime minister of Persia (v. 2). Esther then made Mordecai responsible for the house of Haman. So, when the authorities of this world honour the Jewish remnant, they will gladly transfer this honour to the Lord Jesus.
Commentators read the handover as an exchange of roles, not just of property.
H. L. RossierFrom this point on, Mordecai passes verdicts in favour of the people of God. Haman, the satanic man, had passed such verdicts before to destroy them. Esther gives him the right to everything that had belonged to Haman. As Liberator, he takes the place the oppressor of the Jews had seized.
The unfinished rescue
The ring changes hands, but the danger has not passed.
William KellyGod did not only catch the cruel adversary of His people in his own traps. He would also care for the Jews throughout the whole territory of the king, where they were still under sentence of death. The deliverance was not yet complete. The chief enemy was destroyed, but they were still in danger.
A picture of Christ receiving the kingdom
Commentators read Mordecai's new standing as a picture of a greater appointment. Here his dignity becomes official.
H. L. RossierHe is clothed in "royal apparel of blue and white." He wears a "great crown of gold." He receives the royal ring, which gives him authority to govern the peoples of the kingdom. All this is no doubt a hidden image, like all the images of this book. Yet in it faith discovers the Man Christ Jesus. The Sovereign who holds supreme power clothes Him with the qualities, the rights and the responsibilities of that power. Christ, as Man, depends on God. He will receive the reins of government from God. He will hand them back into His Father's hands, after governing the kingdom for His glory.
Summary
- Confession — Esther names her tie to Mordecai. Her word opens the door, and he moves from the gate to the king's presence.
- Ring — the signet is the emblem of royal authority. It passes from Haman's hand to Mordecai's, making him prime minister in all but name.
- Reversal — the enemy's own house goes to the people he meant to destroy. The Liberator takes the place the oppressor had seized.
- Unfinished — the chief enemy is dead, yet the Jews across the empire are still under sentence. The ring gives Mordecai the power to finish the rescue.
- Christ — in the crowned man who governs the kingdom, commentators see the Man Christ Jesus. He receives government from God and returns it to His Father.