INTRODUCTION TO ESTHER 8 This chapter relates the gifts Ahasuerus gave to Esther and Mordecai, Esther 8:1, the suit Esther made to him to reverse the letters for the destruction of the Jews, Esther 8:3, which, though it could not be formally granted, was in effect done by letters sent to the Jews,... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THAT DAY DID THE KING, AHASUERUS, GIVE THE HOUSE OF HAMAN, THE JEWS' ENEMY, UNTO ESTHER THE QUEEN,.... That, and all the goods in it, and estate belonging to it; which being confiscated to the king, he gave to Esther, who would have been the sufferer, had his scheme taken place; so the Targum add... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING TOOK OFF HIS RING, WHICH HE HAD TAKEN FROM HAMAN, AND GAVE IT UNTO MORDECAI,.... which, with the Persians, was a token of the strongest affection and strictest friendship z; the Targum calls it his signatory ring, that with which he signed laws, edicts, letters, patents, c. and so hereb... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ESTHER SPAKE YET AGAIN BEFORE THE KING,.... Went into his presence, without being called for as before, with a new petition: AND FELL DOWN AT HIS FEET, AND BESOUGHT HIM WITH TEARS; the more to work upon his affections, and move him to grant her request; which she might be the more encouraged to... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE KING HELD OUT THE GOLDEN SCEPTRE TOWARDS ESTHER,.... As a token that she had not incurred his displeasure by coming into his presence without leave, and that she was admitted to speak and make her request; see Esther 5:3 SO ESTHER AROSE AND STOOD BEFORE THE KING; she rose from the ground o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAID, IF IT PLEASE THE KING, AND IF I HAVE FOUND FAVOUR IN HIS SIGHT, AND THE THING SEEM RIGHT BEFORE THE KING, AND I BE PLEASING IN HIS EYES,.... This heap of phrases, which signify much the same thing, are used to work upon the king's affections, and to show how submissive she was to his will:... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HOW CAN I ENDURE TO SEE THE EVIL THAT SHALL COME UNTO MY PEOPLE?.... I cannot bear it; it will break my heart; I shall die to see all my people massacred throughout the realm; the thought of it is shocking and shuddering; to see it, intolerable: or "how can I endure to see the destruction of my... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE KING AHASUERUS SAID UNTO ESTHER THE QUEEN, AND TO MORDECAI THE JEW,.... Who was present at the same time, either at the desire of Esther, or by virtue of his office, being now one of those that saw the king's face, Esther 8:1, BEHOLD, I HAVE GIVEN ESTHER THE HOUSE OF HAMAN; Esther 8:1, A... [ Continue Reading ]
WRITE YE ALSO FOR THE JEWS AS IT LIKETH YOU,.... Whatever may be thought fit and proper for their safety and security: IN THE KING'S NAME, AND SEAL IT WITH THE KING'S RING; as the former letters were: FOR THE WRITING WHICH IS WRITTEN IN THE KING'S NAME, AND SEALED WITH THE KING'S RING, MAY NO MAN... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WERE THE KING'S SCRIBES CALLED AT THAT TIME,.... As they were to write the former letter, Esther 3:12, IN THE THIRD MONTH, THAT IS THE MONTH SIVAN, ON THE THREE AND TWENTIETH DAY THEREOF; which answers to part of May, and part of June. This was two months and ten days after the writing of the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE WROTE IN THE KING AHASUERUS' NAME, AND SEALED IT WITH THE KING'S RING,.... Which gave the letters authority, and made them irreversible, and for this Mordecai had the king's order, Esther 8:8 AND SENT LETTERS BY POST; by runners or couriers: ON HORSEBACK; that rode on horses that were racer... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREIN THE KING GRANTED THE JEWS WHICH WERE IN EVERY CITY TO GATHER THEMSELVES TOGETHER,.... In some part of the city they should choose, and remain in a body, being sufficiently armed: AND TO STAND FOR THEIR LIFE; to defend themselves, and fight for their life, should any attack them, or attempt... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON ONE DAY, IN ALL THE PROVINCES OF KING AHASUERUS, NAMELY, UPON THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF THE TWELFTH MONTH, WHICH IS THE MONTH ADAR. The day appointed and fixed in the former letters for the destruction of the Jews, Esther 3:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COPY OF THE WRITING, FOR A COMMANDMENT TO BE GIVEN IN EVERY PROVINCE, WAS PUBLISHED TO ALL PEOPLE,.... A copy of the letters sent to the governors of provinces; the sum and substance of them was published by an herald, or fixed in public places, that all might know the contents thereof; and take... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE POSTS THAT RODE UPON MULES AND CAMELS WENT OUT,.... Or on the mules, which in the Persian language were called "ahashteranim"; Esther 8:10, BEING HASTENED AND PRESSED ON BY THE KING'S COMMANDMENT; who gave them a special order to make what haste they could, that the Jews might have time to... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MORDECAI WENT OUT FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE KING,.... And walked or rode about in the city to show himself to his friends: IN ROYAL APPAREL OF BLUE AND WHITE; such as the Persian kings wore, and were not allowed to any other, as Xenophon writes g: AND WITH A GREAT CROWN OF GOLD; a coronet, such... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE JEWS HAD LIGHT,.... Prosperity, as opposed to the darkness of adversity in which they had been, see Isaiah 8:22, or lightsomeness and cheerfulness of spirit, as explained by the two next words: AND GLADNESS AND JOY; at the good news of their deliverance, so unexpected by them; thus light is... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IN EVERY PROVINCE, AND IN EVERY CITY, WHITHERSOEVER THE KING'S COMMANDMENT AND HIS DECREE CAME,.... As they did to every province in the realm, and to every city in the province, where there were any Jews: THE JEWS HAD JOY AND GLADNESS, A FEAST AND A GOOD DAY; they expressed their joy on this o... [ Continue Reading ]