Esther 9
1 The Jews slay their enemies, with the ten sons of Haman.
12 Ahasuerus, at the request of Esther, grants another day of slaughter, and Haman's sons to be hanged.
20 The two days of Purim are made festival.
<08147> [A.M. 3552. B.C. 452. in the twelfth.]
supposed <07663> [hoped.]
<02015> [though it was turned.]
assembled <06950> [gathered.]
seeking <01245> [as sought.]
dread <06343> [the fear.]
officials <08269> [the rulers.]
performed ... king's <04428 06213> [officers of the king. Heb. those which did the business that belonged to the king. the fear.]
high rank ....................... greater <01419> [was great.]
word about him <08089> [his fame.]
spreading .......... become greater <01980> [waxed.]
struck <05221> [smote.]
bringing death <04347> [the stroke.]
pleased <07522> [what they would. Heb. according to their will.]
The Chaldee paraphrast says that none appeared against the Jews but Amalekites only, who were infatuated, and had their hearts hardened, as Pharaoh's against Israel, to take up arms to their own destruction. Some had such an inveterate, implacable malice against the Jews, that Haman's fall and Mordecai's advancement, instead of convincing, seemed only to exasperate them the more. How have the most dreadful scourges ravaged a country, and yet the inhabitants are unmindful of the Almighty Disposer of events, and that the cause of his righteous displeasure is their continual provocation! Forty years long was he grieved with one generation, who learned not his ways, although daily fed and clothed by a miracle.
Susa <07800> [Shushan.]
ten sons .... son <01121 06235> [ten sons.]
enemy <06887> [enemy.]
property <0961> [but on the spoil.]
It does not appear that the Jews slew any person who did not rise up to destroy them: they stood for their lives; and gave full proof that they sought their own personal safety, and not the property of their enemies: though the decree in their favour gave them authority to take the property of all their adversaries.
brought <0935> [was brought. Heb. came.]
request <07596> [what is thy petition.]
king is ... inclined <02896 04428> [If it please the king.]
Esther had probably been informed by Mordecai, that there were still many enemies of the Jews who sought their destruction, who had escaped the preceding day; and therefore begged that the second day might be added to the former permission; and that the sons of Haman, who had already been slain, might be suspended on gibbets, as a terror to those who sought the destruction of the Jews.
<03117> [according unto.]
hang ... ten sons ... Haman <06235 01121 08518 02001> [let Haman's ten sons be hanged. Heb. let men hang Haman's ten sons.]
assembled <06950> [gathered themselves.]
property <0961> [but on the prey.]
assembled <06950> [gathered themselves.]
stand up <05975> [stood.]
<05118> [of the same. Heb. in it.]
thirteenth <07969> [on the thirteenth.]
happiness <08057> [gladness.]
sending gifts <04490 04916> [sending portions.]
The eastern princes and people not only invite their friends to feasts, but it is their custom to send a portion of the banquet to those that cannot well attend, especially their relations, and those in a state of mourning. Thus, when the Grand Emir found that it incommoded M. D'Arvieux to eat with him, he desired him to take his own time for eating, and sent him from his kitchen what he liked best.
Mordecai <04782> [Mordecai.]
That is, as the words imply, the history contained in this book; and not merely the letters afterwards mentioned, as some understand it.
wrote ... matters <03789 01697> [wrote these.]
provinces <04082> [in all the provinces.]
time ......................... holiday ...... days <03117> [the days.]
trouble <03015> [from sorrow.]
sending gifts <04490 04916> [sending portions.]
enemy <06887> [the enemy.]
pur <06332> [Pur.]
The word {pur} seems to be derived either from the Persian {bahr} and {bar,} a part, portion, lot, or {pari,} any thing which happens fortuitously or fortunately; whence the annual festival in commemoration of the wonderful deliverance of the Jews from their enemies was called Purim, or in Arabic and Persian, {Fuhr,} or {Lots;} which has been observed by them, in all places of their dispersion, from that day to the present time, without any interruption.
afflict <02000> [consume. Heb. crush.]
came <0935> [when Esther came. Heb. when she came.]
gave <07725> [return.]
known <07121> [they called.]
Purim ...... pur <06332> [Pur. that is, Lot. letter.]
descendants <02233> [and upon their seed.]
joined their company <03867> [all such.]
fail <05674> [fail. Heb. pass.]
remembered <02142> [remembered.]
fail <05674> [fail. Heb. pass. the memorial.]
cease .... descendants <02233 05486> [perish from their seed. Heb. be ended from their seed.]
daughter ... Abihail <01323 032> [the daughter of Abihail.]
authority <08633> [authority. Heb. strength. confirm.]
hundred <03967> [the hundred.]
words .... peace <07965 01697> [words of peace.]
themselves <05315> [themselves. Heb. their souls. and for their seed.]
fasting <06685> [the fastings.]
