IV. (1) MORDECAI RENT HIS CLOTHES. — This was a common sign of sorrow among Eastern nations generally. It will be noticed that the sorrow both of Mordecai and of the Jews generally (Esther 4:3) is described by external manifestations solely. There is rending of garments, putting on of sackcloth and... [ Continue Reading ]
NONE MIGHT ENTER... — That nothing sad or ill-omened might meet the monarch’s gaze, as though by shutting his eyes, as it were, to the presence of sorrow, or sickness, or death, he might suppose that he was successfully evading them.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO ESTHER’S MAIDS... — It is perhaps fair to infer from this, that Esther’s connection with Mordecai was known to those about her, though as yet not to the king.... [ Continue Reading ]
STREET. — The square or wide open place. Heb., _r’hob._)... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN. — There is nothing for this in the original, and it would be better to put _and,_ as the statement of Esther 4:10 is clearly continuous with Esther 4:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS one LAW OF HIS... — Literally, _one is his law,_ that is, there is one unvarying rule for such. No one who had not been summoned might enter the king’s presence under pain of death. THE GOLDEN SCEPTRE — We are told that in the representations of Persian kings at Persepolis, in every case t... [ Continue Reading ]
ENLARGEMENT. — Literally, _a breathing-space._ FROM ANOTHER PLACE. — Although he does not explain his meaning, and, indeed, seems to be speaking with studied reserve, still we may suppose that Mordecai here refers to Divine help, which he asserts will be vouchsafed in this extremity. It does not ne... [ Continue Reading ]