Esther 1:16-17
Vashti <02060> [Vashti.]
This reasoning was inconsequent and false. Vashti had not generally disobeyed the king, therefore she could be no precedent for the general conduct of the Persian women. She disobeyed only in one particular; and this, to serve a purpose, Memucan draws into a general consequence: and the rest came into the conclusion, being either too intoxicated to be able to discern right from wrong, or too intent on reducing women to a state of vassalage, to neglect the present favourable opportunity.
wrong <05753> [done wrong.]
contempt <0959> [despise.]
Esther 2:7
guardian <0539> [brought up. Heb. nourished.]
Hadassah <01919> [Hadassah.]
uncle <01730> [his uncle's.]
beautiful <02896 03303> [fair and beautiful. Heb. fair of form and good of countenance.]
raised <03947> [took.]
Esther 2:12
arrived <0935> [A.M. 3546. B.C. 458. to go in.]
months .................................. six months ....... six months <02320 08337> [six months.]
Esther 2:14
pleased <02654> [delighted.]
requested <07121> [she were called.]
Esther 3:2
king's servants ...... king's ............ king <05650 04428> [the king's servants.]
Dr. Shaw, speaking of the cities in the East, says, "If we quit the streets, and enter into any of the principal houses, we shall first pass through a porch, or gate-way, with benches on each side, where the master of the family receives visits, and despatches business; few persons, not even the nearest relations, having admission any farther, except upon extraordinary occasions." These servants were probably officers who here waited the king's call; and it is likely that Mordecai was one of them.
paying ..................... homage <03766> [bowed.]
bowing ... paying ............... bow ....... homage <03766 07812> [bowed not.]
{YichrÆ’ welo yishtachaweh,} "bowed not down, nor prostrated himself," or worshipped him. Had this meant only civil reverence the king would not have needed to command it; nor would Mordecai have refused it; there was, therefore, some kind of divine honour intended, such as was paid to the Persian kings, and which even the Greeks refused, as express adoration.
Esther 3:4
spoken <0559> [when they spake.]
informed <05046> [that they told.]
informed <05046> [he had told.]
Esther 3:6
sought <01245> [sought.]
Esther 4:14
liberation <07305> [then shall.]
liberation <07305> [enlargement. Heb. respiration.]
father's <01> [but thou.]
achieved <05060> [whether.]
time .................................. time <06256> [for such a time.]
The fact related in this verse was unquestionably the reason why Esther was raised to regal honours, by the overruling providence of God: she was therefore bound in gratitude to do this service for God, else she would not have answered the end of her elevation: and she need not fear the miscarriage of the enterprise, for if God designed her for it, he would surely bear her through and give success. It appeared by the event that Mordecai spoke prophetically, when he modestly conjectured that Esther came to the kingdom that she might be the instrument of the Jews' deliverance. Mordecai thoroughly believed that it was a cause which one way or other would certainly be carried, and which, therefore, she might safely venture upon. Instruments might fail, but God's covenant cannot. There is a wise design in all the providences of God, which is unknown to us till it is accomplished; but it will prove in the issue that all is intended for and centre in the good of those who trust in Him.
Esther 5:12
Esther <0635> [Yea, Esther.]
Plutarch, in his life of Artaxerxes, informs us, that none but the king's mother, and his real wife, were permitted to sit at his table; and therefore he mentions it as a condescension in that prince, that he sometimes invited his brothers. Haman, therefore, had some reason to be proud of this favour.
tomorrow <04279> [to-morrow.]
Esther 6:13
Zeresh .................... Zeresh <02238> [Zeresh.]
wise men ....... said <0559 02450> [said his wise.]
Mordecai <04782> [If Mordecai.]
fall ............. surely fall <05307> [but shalt surely.]
Esther 8:1
gave ... estate <05414 01004> [give the house.]
come before <0935 06440> [came before.]
Esther 8:8
king's name ................ king's ........... king's name ...... king's <04428 08034> [in the king's name.]
rescinded <07725> [may no man reverse.]
No, not the king himself; and this was the reason that the king was forced not to reverse, but to give a contradictory decree; that if the Jews, pursuant to the first decree, were assaulted, they might legitimately, by virtue of the second, defend themselves, slay their enemies, and even take the spoil.
Esther 8:17
banquets <04960> [a feast.]
Many ..... peoples <05971 07227> [many of the people.]
fear <06343> [for the fear.]
Esther 9:2
assembled <06950> [gathered.]
seeking <01245> [as sought.]
dread <06343> [the fear.]