_Year. It seems the Persians began the year with Tizri, since both Casleu (the third) and Nisan (the seventh month of the civil year) fall on the twentieth of the king. --- Wine. These kings drunk only that of Syria. (Strabo xv.) --- People of distinction were appointed cup-bearers; and even the chi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is not. Hebrew, "nothing but sorrow of heart;" (Syriac; Calmet; Protestants) or rather, thou art meditating only treason. Septuagint, "This is nothing but wickedness of heart," (Haydock) which often shews itself on the countenance. The king might suspect that he was giving him poison. (Menochius) -... [ Continue Reading ]
_Live; an usual salutation, Daniel iii. 9., and v. 10. So \'c6lian (var. i. 32.) says, "O king Artaxerxes, mayst thou reign for ever." --- Father, ver. 5. He knew that the Persians shewed great regard to the dead, (Calmet; Tirinus) whose bodies they sometimes cover with wax, and keep in their house,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heaven, a fervent ejaculation, in secret, (Tirinus) to touch the king's heart, (Calmet) and to enable me to speak in a proper manner. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_And, &c. In private the queen might dine with her husband, but not in public, Esther i. (Calmet) --- Queen; probably Esther, if she were married to this king. (Menochius) --- But this is uncertain. (Haydock) --- Usher thinks it was Damaspia, mentioned by Ctesias. (Calmet) --- Time, when I should re... [ Continue Reading ]
_Over; give me a guard, (Haydock) or accompany me to Jerusalem. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Forest. Hebrew pordes, "paradise," or garden planted with trees. Pliny ([Natural History?] v. 23.) mentions a "paradise," in C\'9closyria. (Grotius) --- But Nehemias might petition to be supplied with cedars from Libanus, (Tirinus) as they had been given for the temple, 1 Esdras iii. 7. (Haydock) --... [ Continue Reading ]
_Horonite, a native, not (Calmet) a petty king (Grotius) of Horonaim, in the country of Moab, Jeremias xlviii. 3. He must have been very old, if he lived till the temple was built at Garizim: (Josephus and Scaliger) but Petau supposes that there were two of the name. --- Servant; an officer appointe... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER II.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Any man, at Jerusalem, (ver. 16.) though he had informed the king, ver. 8. (Haydock) --- No beast; that none might be alarmed._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Valley of Cedron, on the east, (Calmet) or west, near Calvary. (Menochius) (Tirinus) --- Dragon. Hebrew Tannin, or "great fish," which might be kept there, unless the fountain was famous for the appearance of some dragon, or the water proceeded from the mouth of a brazen one. Septuagint have read t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Aqueduct, or reservoir, made by Ezechias, 2 Paralipomenon xxxii. 30._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Torrent of Cedron, having gone round the city. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Magistrates. Septuagint, "guards." Seganim denotes various officers. (Calmet) --- Work, or to any workmen. (Haydock) --- None were now employed. (Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hand. God had manifested his goodness and power, at the court of Persia. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Arabian governor. He afterwards accuses Nehemias, chap. vi. 6. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Answered. Septuagint, "returned them an account ( Greek: logon)....we are his pure servants, and we will build." (Haydock) --- Part, or business, 1 Esdras iv. 4. --- Justice, or right to the city. (Calmet) --- You may mind your own affairs. (Tirinus) --- Remembrance. It was esteemed a high honour t... [ Continue Reading ]