Teks -- Esther 2:18 (NET)

2:18 Then the king prepared a large banquet for all his officials and his servants– it was actually Esther’s banquet. He also set aside a holiday for the provinces, and he provided for offerings at the king’s expense.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Clarke: Est 2:18 - Made a release to the provinces

Made a release to the provinces - Remitted some kind of tribute or impost, in honor of Esther, at her coronation, as our kings generally do when they are crowned, ordering a discharge from prison of many who are confined for minor offenses. As it was the custom of the Persian kings to give their queens something like what is called with us the aurum reginae , "queen gold,"which was a tenth of all fines, etc., above what was given to the king; (for they gave them such a city to buy them clothes, another for their hair, a third for their necklaces, a fourth for their pearls, etc.); it is probable that, on this occasion, Esther so wishing, he relieved those cities and provinces which had before paid this queen gold from all these expenses; and this would tend greatly to make the queen popular.

TSK: Est 2:18 - made a great // he made // release // gave gifts

am 3547, bc 457

made a great : Est 1:3-5; Gen 29:22; Jdg 14:10-17; Son 3:11, Son 5:1; Mat 22:2; Luk 14:8; Rev 19:9

he made : We learn from Herodotus and Atheneus, that the Persian monarchs were accustomed to give their wives distinct cities and provinces for the purpose of supplying them with different articles of dresscaps1 . ocaps0 ne was assigned for ornamenting the head and neck; another provided robes, zones, etc.; and the city of Anthilla was given to a Persian queen, we read, to supply her with shoes and sandals. It is probable, therefore, that, at the desire of Esther, Ahasuerus relieved those cities and provinces that had before paid it, from this expense.

release : Heb. rest

gave gifts : Est 9:22; 1Sa 25:8; Neh 8:11; Rev 11:10

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Est 2:18 - He made a release to the provinces

He made a release to the provinces i.e. he took off a good part of those heavy taxes which the Persian kings laid upon their people.

Haydock: Est 2:18 - Servants // Rest // Gifts

Servants. Septuagint add, "seven days, and he magnified the nuptials of Esther." (Haydock) ---

Rest, from labour. (Calmet) ---

Septuagint, "remission to all his subjects," of tribute, as was sometimes done. (Herodotus iii. 66.) (Tirinus) (Calmet) ---

Gifts, on Esther. (Chaldean) (Malvenda)

Gill: Est 2:18 - Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and servants, even Esther's feast // and he made a release to the provinces // and gave gifts // according to the state of the king

Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and servants, even Esther's feast,.... A feast to all his nobles, courtiers, and ministers of state, on account of his marriage with Esther; which, according to the Greek version, was held seven days; but, according to Josephus, it lasted a whole month ^t:

and he made a release to the provinces; of taxes and tribute due to him, as was the custom of the kings of Persia when they came to the throne, as Herodotus ^u relates; so Smerdis the magus, that mounted the throne after Cambyses, pretending to be his brother, released them for three years to come ^w; and Grotius says kings used to do it at their marriage, but gives no instance of it:

and gave gifts: according to the latter Targum, to the provinces, all of them, that he might be sure that the people of Esther shared his favours, who were as yet unknown; but rather these gifts were given to his nobles, or it may be to Esther; so the former Targum,"he gave to her a gift and portion:"

according to the state of the king; his royal ability and munificence, and suitable to his grandeur; and it was usual with the Persian kings to give to their wives whole cities for one thing or another, as for necklaces, hair laces, shoes, &c. ^x; Socrates ^y speaks of a whole country in Persia called the "Queen's girdle", and another her "Headdress".