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 1:15
done <06213> [What shall we do. Heb. What to do.]
Esther 2:23
hanged <08518> [hanged.]
<05612> [the book.]
Esther 4:5
at ... service <06440 05975> [appointed to attend upon her. Heb. set before her.]
<03045> [to know.]
Esther 5:4
inclined <02895> [If it seem.]
banquet <04960> [the banquet. {Mishteh,} from {shathah,} "to drink," a compotation. feast, or banquet accompanied with drinking; the drinking in the East being at the beginning, and not at the end of the entertainment.]
Olearius, describing an entertainment at the Persian court, says, "The floor of the hall was covered with cotton cloth, which was covered with all sorts of fruits and sweetmeats in basons of gold. With them was served up excellent Shiraz wine. After an hour's time, the sweetmeats were removed, to make way for the more substantial part of the entertainment, such as rice, boiled and roast mutton, etc. When the company had been at table an hour and a half, warm water was brought, in a ewer of gold, for washing; and grace being said, they began to retire without speaking a word, according to the custom of the country."
Esther 6:3
honor <03366> [What honour.]
thing <01697> [There is nothing.]
Esther 8:2
signet ring <02885> [his ring.]
it ..... Esther designated <07760 0635> [Esther set.]
Esther 9:24
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.]