Esther 2:16-18
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.]
