Esther 1:1--5:14
Ahasuerus ....... Ahasuerus <0325> [Ahasuerus.]
Prideaux has shewn satisfactorily that Ahasuerus was the Artaxerxes Longimanus of the Greeks, agreeably to the Septuagint and Josephus. See note on Ezr 6:14.
India <01912> [from India.]
hundred <03967> [an hundred.]
<03427> [sat.]
Susa <07800> [Shushan.]
provided <06213> [A.M. 3542. B.C. 462. he made.]
Persia <06539> [of Persia.]
nobles <06579> [the nobles.]
displayed <07200> [When he.]
riches <06239> [the riches.]
majestic <08597> [excellent.]
present <04672> [present. Heb. found. seven days.]
mother-of-pearl <02353 01858> [white.]
purple <08504> [blue. or, violet.]
couches <04296> [the beds.]
These were couches, covered with gold and silver cloth, on which the guests reclined; for the Orientals do not sit, but recline at their meals.
valuable stones <0923> [red, etc. or, of porphyre, and marble, and alabaster, and stone of blue colour.]
golden containers <02091 03627> [vessels of gold.]
Royal wine <03196 04438> [royal wine. Heb. wine of the kingdom. state of the king.]
Heb. hand of the king.
<0597> [none did compel.]
Every person drank what he pleased. Among the Greeks, however, each guest was obliged to keep the round, or leave the company: hence the proverb [E pithi, e apithi,] Drink, or begone. Mr. Herbert, in his poem entitled "The Church Porch," has severely reprobated this vile custom. In Britain, however, this demoralizing custom is now almost destroyed, and a new era of social pleasure is arising, by temperate habits, increased domestic comforts, and the spread of gospel truths.
supervisors <07227> [the officers.]
Queen <04436> [the queen.]
feeling <03820> [the heart.]
Harbona <02726> [Harbona.]
[Harbonah. chamberlains. or, eunuchs.]
Vashti <02060> [Vashti.]
attractive <04758 02896> [fair to look on. Heb. good of countenance.]
Queen <04436> [the queen.]
This refusal of Vashti's, to expose herself to the view of such a group of drunken Bacchanalians, was highly praiseworthy, and became the dignity of her rank and the modesty of her sex.
refused <03985> [refused.]
through ... eunuchs <03027 05631> [by his chamberlains. Heb. which was by the hand of his eunuchs. was the king.]
consumed <01197> [burned.]
wise <02450> [the wise.]
then ......... discerners .................. proficient <03045> [knew.]
seven <07651> [the seven.]
saw <07200> [saw.]
done <06213> [What shall we do. Heb. What to do.]
Vashti <02060> [Vashti.]
This reasoning was inconsequent and false. Vashti had not generally disobeyed the king, therefore she could be no precedent for the general conduct of the Persian women. She disobeyed only in one particular; and this, to serve a purpose, Memucan draws into a general consequence: and the rest came into the conclusion, being either too intoxicated to be able to discern right from wrong, or too intent on reducing women to a state of vassalage, to neglect the present favourable opportunity.
wrong <05753> [done wrong.]
contempt <0959> [despise.]
ladies <08282> [the ladies.]
{Saroth,} the princesses: but the meaning is well expressed by our term ladies.
king .... inclined ................................... King ......... royalty <04428 02895> [it please the king. Heb. it be good with the king.]
from him ......................... presence <06440> [from him. Heb. from before him. it be not altered. Heb. it pass not away.]
Let it be inserted among the permanent laws, and be made a part of the constitution of the empire. The Persians seem to have affected such a degree of wisdom in the construction of their laws, that they never could be amended, and should never be repealed; and this formed the ground of the saying, "The laws of the Medes and Persians that change not."
another <07468> [another. Heb. her companion. that is better.]
kingdom <04438> [throughout.]
women <0802> [all the wives.]
seemed ..... king ....... king <03190 04428> [pleased the king. Heb. was good in the eyes of the king.]
provinces ... each province <04082> [into every province.]
man <0376> [that every man.]
Both the law of God and common sense taught this from the foundation of the world; and this parade of enactment was only to deprive Vashti of her crown.
speaking <01696> [it should, etc. Heb. one should publish it according to the language of his country.]
script .......... language ............... language <03791 03956> [according.]
remembered <02142> [A.M. 3543. B.C. 461. he remembered.]
decided <01504> [what was decreed.]
king's servants ............. king's <05288 04428> [king's servants.]
attractive <02896> [Let there be.]
provinces <04082> [in all the provinces.]
gather <06908> [that they may gather.]
This was the usual way in which the harem, or {seraglio,} was furnished; the finest women in the land, whether of high or low birth, were sought out and brought to the harem. They all became the king's concubines; but one was raised as chief wife, or sultana, to the throne; and her issue was especially entitled to inherit.
authority <03027> [the custody. Heb. the hand. Hege.]
[Hegai. the king's chamberlain.]
{Saris hammelech,} "the king's eunuch:" so the LXX., Vulgate, Targum, and Syriac.
cosmetics <08562> [their things.]
young woman <05291> [let the maiden.]
idea <01697> [the thing.]
Susa <07800> [Shushan.]
Jewish man <03064 0376> [a certain Jew.]
son ..... son ... Shimei ... son <01121 08096> [the son of Shimei.]
Jeconiah <03204> [Jeconiah.]
[Jeboiachin.]
[Coniah.]
guardian <0539> [brought up. Heb. nourished.]
Hadassah <01919> [Hadassah.]
uncle <01730> [his uncle's.]
beautiful <02896 03303> [fair and beautiful. Heb. fair of form and good of countenance.]
raised <03947> [took.]
Hegai ................ Hegai <01896> [Hegai.]
One of Dr. Kennicott's MSS., instead of Hegai has Heg‚, as in ver. 3.
found <05375> [she obtained.]
cosmetics <08562> [her her things.]
rations <04490> [such things. Heb. her portions. preferred her. Heb. changed her.]
disclosed <05046> [had not shewed.]
Mordecai <04782> [for Mordecai.]
Mordecai <04782> [Mordecai.]
The apartments of the women are accounted so inviolable, that it is even a crime to enquire what passes within their walls. A man, says Chardin, may walk a hundred days, one after the other, by the house where the women are, and yet know no more what is done there than at the farther end of Tartary. This sufficiently explains the conduct of Mordecai.
walk <01980> [walked.]
Esther <0635 07965> [how Esther did. Heb. the peace of Esther.]
arrived <0935> [A.M. 3546. B.C. 458. to go in.]
months .................................. six months ....... six months <02320 08337> [six months.]
pleased <02654> [delighted.]
requested <07121> [she were called.]
her <03947> [who had taken.]
Esther ............................................. Esther <0635> [Esther.]
tenth month ..... month <02320 06224> [the tenth month.]
seventh <07651> [the seventh.]
loving approval <02617> [favour. or, kindness. in his sight. Heb. before him. so that he set.]
Bishop Patrick observes, that those who suggest that Esther committed a great sin to come at the dignity of queen of Persia, do not consider the custom of those times and countries. Every one that the king took to his bed was married to him, and was his wife of a lower rank, as Hagar was to Abraham.
prepared ... large ................. set aside <06213 01419> [A.M. 3547. B.C. 457. made a great.]
prepared ................... set aside <06213> [he made.]
We learn from Herodotus and Athen‘us, that the Persian monarchs were accustomed to give their wives distinct cities and provinces for the purpose of supplying them with different articles of dress: one 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.
holiday <02010> [release. Heb. rest. gave gifts.]
young women <01330> [the virgins.]
sitting .... king's gate <03427 04428 08179> [sat in the king's gate.]
divulging <05046> [had not yet shewed.]
Esther ................. Esther <0635> [for Esther.]
Bigthan <0904> [Bigthan.]
[Bigthana. door. Heb. threshold. and sought.]
conspiracy <01697> [the thing.]
Esther ... Esther told <0635 0559> [and Esther certified.]
Mordecai ................ Mordecai's behalf <08034 04782> [Mordecai's name.]
hanged <08518> [hanged.]
<05612> [the book.]
promoted Haman <01431 02001> [A.M. 3551. B.C. 453. promote Haman.]
Agagite <091> [Agagite.]
officials <08269> [above all the princes.]
king's servants ...... king's ............ king <05650 04428> [the king's servants.]
Dr. Shaw, speaking of the cities in the East, says, "If we quit the streets, and enter into any of the principal houses, we shall first pass through a porch, or gate-way, with benches on each side, where the master of the family receives visits, and despatches business; few persons, not even the nearest relations, having admission any farther, except upon extraordinary occasions." These servants were probably officers who here waited the king's call; and it is likely that Mordecai was one of them.
paying ..................... homage <03766> [bowed.]
bowing ... paying ............... bow ....... homage <03766 07812> [bowed not.]
{YichrÆ’ welo yishtachaweh,} "bowed not down, nor prostrated himself," or worshipped him. Had this meant only civil reverence the king would not have needed to command it; nor would Mordecai have refused it; there was, therefore, some kind of divine honour intended, such as was paid to the Persian kings, and which even the Greeks refused, as express adoration.
violating <05674> [Why.]
spoken <0559> [when they spake.]
informed <05046> [that they told.]
informed <05046> [he had told.]
Mordecai <04782> [that Mordecai.]
filled ... rage <04390 02534> [full of wrath.]
sought <01245> [sought.]
first month ..... month ............................. month ......... month ..... month <02320 07223> [the first month.]
twelfth <08147> [in the twelfth.]
pur ....... cast <05307 06332> [they cast Pur.]
Adar <0143> [Adar.]
particular <06340> [scattered abroad.]
laws ................ laws <01881> [their laws.]
King ...................................... king's ......... king ..... haven <07737 04428> [for the king's profit to. Heb. meet, or equal for the king to, etc.]
destroy <06> [that they may be destroyed. Heb. to destroy them. and I will pay. Heb. and I will weigh.]
Here Haman is obliged to acknowledge that there would be a loss to the revenue, which he was willing to make up out of his own property. Ten thousand talents of silver, counted by the Babylonish talent, amount to 2,119,000Å“.; but reckoned by the Jewish talent, they amount to double that sum. In those days, silver and gold were more plentiful than at present; and we have many instances of individuals possessing almost incredible riches. Herodotus relates, that when Xerxes went into Greece, Pythius the Lydian had 2,000 talents of silver, and 4,000,000 of gold darics, which unitedly amount to nearly 5,500,000Å“. Plutarch tells us, that after Crassus had dedicated the tenth of all he had to Hercules, he entertained the Roman people at 10,000 tables, and distributed to every citizen as much corn as was sufficient for three months; and, after all these expenses, he had 7,100 Roman talents left, which amount to more than 1,500,000Å“. Lentulus the augur is said to have possessed no less than 3,333,333Å“. 6s. 8d. Apicius was worth more than 916,671Å“ 13s. 4d.; and, after having spent in his kitchen 833,333Å“ 6s. 8d. he considered the remainder too little for his support, and poisoned himself!
ten thousand <06235 0505> [ten thousand.]
removed <05493> [took.]
hostile <06887> [enemy. or, oppressor.]
do <06213> [to do.]
royal ....................... king's .................................... King .......... king's <04428> [Then were.]
scribes <05608> [scribes. or, secretaries. according.]
name <08034> [in the name.]
sealed <02856> [sealed.]
by ... runners <03027 07323> [by posts.]
youth <05288> [both young.]
a ... day <0259 03117> [in one day.]
loot ... plunder <07998> [the spoil.]
copy <06572> [The copy.]
scurried <01765> [hastened.]
sat down <03427> [sat down.]
city <05892> [the city.]
done <06213> [all that.]
tore <07167> [rent.]
ashes <0665> [with ashes.]
crying out <02199> [and cried.]
Mordecai gave every demonstration of the most poignant grief. Nor did he hide this from the city; and the Greek says that he uttered these words aloud: [Airetai ethnos meden edikekos,] "A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil."
each .... province <04082> [in every province.]
considerable mourning <060 01419> [great mourning.]
It cannot reasonably be doubted, that the mournings, fastings, and weepings of the Jews were attended by constant prayers and supplications; though all mention of them, and of the glorious God whom they worshipped, seems to have been studiously avoided.
weeping <01065> [weeping.]
Sackcloth ... ashes ... characteristic ... many <03331 08242 0665 07227> [many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many.]
eunuchs <05631> [chamberlains. Heb. eunuchs.]
accept <06901> [but he received it not.]
at ... service <06440 05975> [appointed to attend upon her. Heb. set before her.]
<03045> [to know.]
[the king said.]
happened <07136> [all that had.]
copy <06572> [the copy.]
instructions <06680> [to charge.]
<02603> [to make supplication.]
implore <01245> [request.]
comes ...................................... come <0935> [shall come.]
Herodotus informs us, that ever since the reign of Deioces, king of Media, for the security of the king's person, it was enacted that no one should be admitted into his presence; but that if any one had business with him, he should transact it through the medium of his ministers.
inner court <02691 06442> [the inner court.]
one law <01881 0259> [one law.]
king ....... king's ..................... king ............... king extends ...................... king <04428 03447> [the king shall.]
gold scepter <02091 08275> [the golden sceptre.]
That the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre, we have the following proof in Xenophon: [Hoti ou tode to chrysoun skeptron to men basileian diasozon estin, all hoi pistoi philoi skeptron basileusin alethestaton kai asphalestaton.] "It is not (said Cyrus to his son Cambyses) the golden sceptre that saves the kingdom; but faithful friends are the truest and best sceptre of the kingdom."
uninvited ................................... invited <07121> [but I.]
liberation <07305> [then shall.]
liberation <07305> [enlargement. Heb. respiration.]
father's <01> [but thou.]
achieved <05060> [whether.]
time .................................. time <06256> [for such a time.]
The fact related in this verse was unquestionably the reason why Esther was raised to regal honours, by the overruling providence of God: she was therefore bound in gratitude to do this service for God, else she would not have answered the end of her elevation: and she need not fear the miscarriage of the enterprise, for if God designed her for it, he would surely bear her through and give success. It appeared by the event that Mordecai spoke prophetically, when he modestly conjectured that Esther came to the kingdom that she might be the instrument of the Jews' deliverance. Mordecai thoroughly believed that it was a cause which one way or other would certainly be carried, and which, therefore, she might safely venture upon. Instruments might fail, but God's covenant cannot. There is a wise design in all the providences of God, which is unknown to us till it is accomplished; but it will prove in the issue that all is intended for and centre in the good of those who trust in Him.
found <04672> [present. Heb. found. fast.]
eat .... drink <08354 0398> [eat nor drink.]
female attendants <05291> [I also.]
perish ... perish <06> [if I perish.]
If I lose my life in the attempt to save my people, I shall lose it cheerfully. I see it is my duty to make the attempt; and, come what will, I am resolved to do it.
<05674> [went. Heb. passed.]
third <07992> [on the.]
royal attire ..................... royal ..... palace <04438> [royal.]
inner <06442> [inner.]
sitting <03427> [sat.]
met <05375> [she.]
gold scepter ................ scepter <08275 02091> [golden sceptre.]
Queen ...... request <04436 01246> [What.]
half <02677> [to.]
inclined <02895> [If it seem.]
banquet <04960> [the banquet. {Mishteh,} from {shathah,} "to drink," a compotation. feast, or banquet accompanied with drinking; the drinking in the East being at the beginning, and not at the end of the entertainment.]
Olearius, describing an entertainment at the Persian court, says, "The floor of the hall was covered with cotton cloth, which was covered with all sorts of fruits and sweetmeats in basons of gold. With them was served up excellent Shiraz wine. After an hour's time, the sweetmeats were removed, to make way for the more substantial part of the entertainment, such as rice, boiled and roast mutton, etc. When the company had been at table an hour and a half, warm water was brought, in a ewer of gold, for washing; and grace being said, they began to retire without speaking a word, according to the custom of the country."
Haman ............... Haman <02001> [Cause Haman.]
king said <0559 04428> [the king said.]
perform ................. prepare ......... do <06213> [perform. Heb. do. let the king.]
Esther probably wished another interview, that she might ingratiate herself more fully into the king's favour, and thus secure the success of her design. But Providence disposed of things thus, to give time for the important event mentioned in the following chapter.
tomorrow <04279> [to-morrow.]
pleased ... very <08056> [joyful.]
rise <06965> [he stood not up.]
Haman ............. Haman .................. Haman ... filled <04390 02001> [he was full.]
restrained <0662> [refrained.]
went ........... friends ... join ... along <0157 0935> [called for his friends. Heb. caused his friends to come.]
Zeresh.
fabulous <03519> [the glory.]
many <07230> [the multitude.]
exalted <05375> [and how he had.]
Esther <0635> [Yea, Esther.]
Plutarch, in his life of Artaxerxes, informs us, that none but the king's mother, and his real wife, were permitted to sit at his table; and therefore he mentions it as a condescension in that prince, that he sometimes invited his brothers. Haman, therefore, had some reason to be proud of this favour.
tomorrow <04279> [to-morrow.]
fails <07737> [Yet all this.]
Pride will ever render its possessor unhappy. Haman, though possessed of immense riches, glory, and honour, and the prime favourite of his king, is wretched, because he could not have the homage of that man whom his heart even despised! Oh, how distressing are the inquietudes of pride and vanity.
Zeresh ...... said ............... tell <02238 0559> [said Zeresh.]
gallows ......................................... gallows <06086> [Let a gallows. Heb. Let a tree.]
said ............... tell ... king ............. king <0559 04428> [speak thou.]
go ........ contented <0935 08056> [go thou in.]
idea <01697> [the thing.]
built <06213> [he caused.]
