Esther 8:1
VIII. (1) DID ... GIVE THE HOUSE OF HAMAN. — Confiscation of goods necessarily followed on a sentence of death in the East. So, with ourselves, a convicted felon’s property is forfeited to the Crown.... [ Continue Reading ]
VIII. (1) DID ... GIVE THE HOUSE OF HAMAN. — Confiscation of goods necessarily followed on a sentence of death in the East. So, with ourselves, a convicted felon’s property is forfeited to the Crown.... [ Continue Reading ]
TOOK OFF HIS RING... AND GAVE IT UNTO MORDECAI. — Constituting him thereby his Vizier, who would thus authenticate a royal decree, and by having, as it were, _carte blanche_ given him for the time, would for that time save his master all further trouble. Mordecai’s position had now become what Danie... [ Continue Reading ]
BESOUGHT HIM... TO PUT AWAY THE MISCHIEF. — Esther’s work was as yet only half done. She has seen the condemnation of the foe of her race, and the exaltation of her kinsman to his office. But the royal edict sent out against the Jews still remains valid, and being a written decree, sealed with the k... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING HELD OUT THE GOLDEN SCEPTRE. — See Note on Esther 4:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO REVERSE. — Rather, _to bring back, to recall._ Esther shows considerable skill in wording her request. She avoids speaking of the _king’s_ letters, but calls them “the letters, the device of _Haman,_ which _he_ wrote.” It is the king, however, to whom the injury is done — “to destroy the Jews whi... [ Continue Reading ]
WRITE YE.... — Esther’s device is seen through, and the king shrinks from taking so decisive a step as the revocation of a decree once issued. Such a writing “may no man reverse.” Still he will do what he can. It may be possible to meet the difficulty, and save the Jews, without actual reversal of t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MONTH SIVAN. — This name also occurs in Bar. 1:8. Sivan began with the new moon in May. Rather more than two months had thus passed since the first edict had been sent out. LIEUTENANTS. — Satraps. (See Note on Esther 3:12.)... [ Continue Reading ]
POSTS. — The posts. _Literally, the runners._ (See Note on Esther 1:22.) RIDERS ON MULES. — Rather, _on horses of great speed;_ the “swift beast “of Micah 1:13. CAMELS, AND YOUNG DROMEDARIES. — The words thus translated occur only here, and there is much doubt as to the meaning. It may suffice to... [ Continue Reading ]
TO STAND FOR THEIR LIFE. — It will be noticed that, so far at any rate as the edict authorises, the Jews are not permitted to take the initiative, but merely to stand on the defensive. As it was, it was risking civil war in all the cities of the empire, though the results were considerably lessened... [ Continue Reading ]
TO AVENGE THEMSELVES ON THEIR ENEMIES. — The Hebrew word used here “does not necessarily signify a violent emotion of a resentful spirit, but a steady resolve to defend the right; it is used of the Almighty Himself, rescuing the oppressed, defending the right, and punishing the assailant and the opp... [ Continue Reading ]
MULES AND CAMELS. — See above on Esther 8:10. BEING HASTENED. — Why this haste, seeing there yet remained nearly nine months (wanting ten days) before the first edict would come into play? There may probably have been fears lest the first edict, which indicated a distinct animus of the Court agains... [ Continue Reading ]
BLUE AND WHITE. — See Note on Esther 1:6. CROWN. — This is a different word from that previously used of a “royal crown” (Esther 6:8). GARMENT. — The inner robe or tunic. That of the king was of purple striped with white. LINEN. — White linen. THE CITY OF SHUSHAN REJOICED. — The tide of royal fa... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAME JEWS. — That is, embraced their religion as proselytes.... [ Continue Reading ]