Esther 1:1-8
Ahasuerus ....... Ahasuerus <0325> [Ahasuerus.]
Prideaux has shewn satisfactorily that Ahasuerus was the Artaxerxes Longimanus of the Greeks, agreeably to the Septuagint and Josephus. See note on Ezr 6:14.
India <01912> [from India.]
hundred <03967> [an hundred.]
<03427> [sat.]
Susa <07800> [Shushan.]
provided <06213> [A.M. 3542. B.C. 462. he made.]
Persia <06539> [of Persia.]
nobles <06579> [the nobles.]
displayed <07200> [When he.]
riches <06239> [the riches.]
majestic <08597> [excellent.]
present <04672> [present. Heb. found. seven days.]
mother-of-pearl <02353 01858> [white.]
purple <08504> [blue. or, violet.]
couches <04296> [the beds.]
These were couches, covered with gold and silver cloth, on which the guests reclined; for the Orientals do not sit, but recline at their meals.
valuable stones <0923> [red, etc. or, of porphyre, and marble, and alabaster, and stone of blue colour.]
golden containers <02091 03627> [vessels of gold.]
Royal wine <03196 04438> [royal wine. Heb. wine of the kingdom. state of the king.]
Heb. hand of the king.
<0597> [none did compel.]
Every person drank what he pleased. Among the Greeks, however, each guest was obliged to keep the round, or leave the company: hence the proverb [E pithi, e apithi,] Drink, or begone. Mr. Herbert, in his poem entitled "The Church Porch," has severely reprobated this vile custom. In Britain, however, this demoralizing custom is now almost destroyed, and a new era of social pleasure is arising, by temperate habits, increased domestic comforts, and the spread of gospel truths.
supervisors <07227> [the officers.]
