Esther 5:1
V. (1) THE THIRD DAY. — That is, of the fast. (See above, Esther 4:16.) ROYAL APPAREL. — Literally, _royalty. _... [ Continue Reading ]
V. (1) THE THIRD DAY. — That is, of the fast. (See above, Esther 4:16.) ROYAL APPAREL. — Literally, _royalty. _... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE HALF OF THE KINGDOM. — This tremendous offer occurs in further promises of Ahasuerus (Esther 5:6; Esther 7:2). The same reckless promise is made by Herod Antipas to the daughter of Herodias (Mark 6:23).... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE KING AND HAMAN COME THIS DAY UNTO THE BANQUET. — It was natural enough that, with so much depending on her request, the queen should show some hesitation: if anything took an untoward turn (for, in spite of the king’s promise, she evidently felt uneasy) it might mean total ruin. She therefor... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BANQUET OF WINE. — The continuation of the banquet of Esther 5:5 : the dessert, so to speak.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE STOOD NOT UP. — In Esther 3:2 we saw that Mordecai refused to bow or prostrate himself to Haman, here he refuses even the slightest sign of respect. The honourable independence of the former case here becomes indefensible rudeness.... [ Continue Reading ]
ZERESH. — A name probably derived from an old Persian word for “gold.” According to the Targum she was the daughter of Tatnai, “the governour on this side the river,” _i.e.,_ of that part of the Persian Empire which lay beyond the Euphrates (Ezra 5:3).... [ Continue Reading ]
TOLD THEM ... — As all this was of necessity sufficiently well known to his hearers, this was simply a piece of vain-glorious boasting, the pride that “goeth before destruction.” THE MULTITUDE OF HIS CHILDREN. — He had ten sons (Esther 9:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
AVAILETH ME NOTHING. — Better, _suiteth, contenteth me not. _... [ Continue Reading ]
GALLOWS. — Literally, _tree;_ the Hebrew word, as well as the corresponding Greek word used by the LXX., standing both for the living tree and the artificial structure. Doubtless the punishment intended for Mordecai was crucifixion, for hanging, in the common sense of the term, does not seem to have... [ Continue Reading ]