Esther 1:8
<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.]
Esther 1:13
wise <02450> [the wise.]
then ......... discerners .................. proficient <03045> [knew.]
Esther 1:15
done <06213> [What shall we do. Heb. What to do.]
Esther 3:14-15
copy <06572> [The copy.]
scurried <01765> [hastened.]
sat down <03427> [sat down.]
city <05892> [the city.]
Esther 8:13-14
known <01540> [published. Heb. revealed. avenge themselves.]
without delay <0926> [being hastened.]
Susa <07800> [Shushan.]
Esther 1:19
king .... inclined ................................... King ......... royalty <04428 02895> [it please the king. Heb. it be good with the king.]
from him ......................... presence <06440> [from him. Heb. from before him. it be not altered. Heb. it pass not away.]
Let it be inserted among the permanent laws, and be made a part of the constitution of the empire. The Persians seem to have affected such a degree of wisdom in the construction of their laws, that they never could be amended, and should never be repealed; and this formed the ground of the saying, "The laws of the Medes and Persians that change not."
another <07468> [another. Heb. her companion. that is better.]
Esther 2:8
Hegai ................ Hegai <01896> [Hegai.]
One of Dr. Kennicott's MSS., instead of Hegai has Heg‚, as in ver. 3.
Esther 2:12
arrived <0935> [A.M. 3546. B.C. 458. to go in.]
months .................................. six months ....... six months <02320 08337> [six months.]
Esther 4:3
each .... province <04082> [in every province.]
considerable mourning <060 01419> [great mourning.]
It cannot reasonably be doubted, that the mournings, fastings, and weepings of the Jews were attended by constant prayers and supplications; though all mention of them, and of the glorious God whom they worshipped, seems to have been studiously avoided.
weeping <01065> [weeping.]
Sackcloth ... ashes ... characteristic ... many <03331 08242 0665 07227> [many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many.]
Esther 4:8
copy <06572> [the copy.]
instructions <06680> [to charge.]
<02603> [to make supplication.]
implore <01245> [request.]
Esther 8:17--9:1
banquets <04960> [a feast.]
Many ..... peoples <05971 07227> [many of the people.]
fear <06343> [for the fear.]
<08147> [A.M. 3552. B.C. 452. in the twelfth.]
supposed <07663> [hoped.]
<02015> [though it was turned.]
Esther 9:13
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.]
Esther 4:16
found <04672> [present. Heb. found. fast.]
eat .... drink <08354 0398> [eat nor drink.]
female attendants <05291> [I also.]
perish ... perish <06> [if I perish.]
If I lose my life in the attempt to save my people, I shall lose it cheerfully. I see it is my duty to make the attempt; and, come what will, I am resolved to do it.
Esther 4:11
comes ...................................... come <0935> [shall come.]
Herodotus informs us, that ever since the reign of Deioces, king of Media, for the security of the king's person, it was enacted that no one should be admitted into his presence; but that if any one had business with him, he should transact it through the medium of his ministers.
inner court <02691 06442> [the inner court.]
one law <01881 0259> [one law.]
king ....... king's ..................... king ............... king extends ...................... king <04428 03447> [the king shall.]
gold scepter <02091 08275> [the golden sceptre.]
That the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre, we have the following proof in Xenophon: [Hoti ou tode to chrysoun skeptron to men basileian diasozon estin, all hoi pistoi philoi skeptron basileusin alethestaton kai asphalestaton.] "It is not (said Cyrus to his son Cambyses) the golden sceptre that saves the kingdom; but faithful friends are the truest and best sceptre of the kingdom."
uninvited ................................... invited <07121> [but I.]
