_Shewing. Septuagint, old Vulgate, and Josephus, "a nation which has done no wrong, is to be cut off." The eastern nations were accustomed to such marks of sorrow, Jonas ii. 6. The citizens of Susa tore their garments, and cried aloud, for many days after the defeat of Xerxes. (Herodotus viii. 98.)... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sackcloth. Greek adds, "and ashes." Such an appearance was deemed disrespectful. God forbids his priests to act thus, Leviticus xxi.. 1. See Genesis xli. 14. Yet the miserable ought not to be entirely excluded from the king's presence, as he ought to be their protector._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Edict. Literally, "dogma;: (Haydock) a word used in this sense, (Acts xv. 16.) and by Demosthenes, &c. (Tirinus) --- Mourning. The most effectual means of redress, is to do works of penance for past transgressions, 1 Corinthians xi. 31. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her, concerning the unusual distress of one of the courtiers. They knew not, (Menochius) perhaps, that he was related to her. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Money. Hebrew, "the sum of money." Septuagint, "then thousand talents."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Entreat. Septuagint, "to put in a counter-petition, and entreat," &c. --- People. Septuagint add, "and country, remembering the days of thy lowly state, how thou wast fed by my hand; for Aman, the second after the king, has spoken against us, to have us destroyed. Call then upon the Lord, and speak... [ Continue Reading ]
Inner court, with regard to many others around, though there was one still more retired, (Tirinus) where the king alone could enter. This admitted the light only by the door, before which hung a curtain, so that the king could see (Calmet) who came into the hall of audience, (Haydock) without being... [ Continue Reading ]
_Only. Aman would contrive to effect her ruin with the rest._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Occasion. Wonderful confidence! Greek, "if thou wilt not hearken (Calmet; to me; (Haydock) or, if thou obstinately despise) at this time, the Jews shall be assisted and protected by some," &c. (Haydock) --- As this. So Joseph was raised up in Egypt, (Calmet) that he might save all his family. (Hayd... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER IV.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pray. Hebrew, "fast." They might take some refreshment in the evening, (Lyranus) of dried meats. (Josephus) (Grotius) --- Few constitutions could have done without any thing. Yet after two nights and one full day were elapsed, Esther ventured to go to the king, chap. v. 1. We have here another inst... [ Continue Reading ]