Esther 2:16
tenth month ..... month <02320 06224> [the tenth month.]
seventh <07651> [the seventh.]
Esther 6:8
royal ...................... royal <04438> [Let the royal, etc. Heb. Let them bring the royal apparel, wherewith the king clotheth himself.]
horse <05483> [the horse.]
Herodotus relates, that the kings of Persia had horses peculiar to themselves, which were brought from Armenia, and were remarkable for their beauty; and if the same law prevailed in Persia as in Judea, no man, under the penalty of death, might ride on the king's horse, any more than sit on his throne, wear his crown, or hold his sceptre.
Esther 5:1
third <07992> [on the.]
royal attire ..................... royal ..... palace <04438> [royal.]
inner <06442> [inner.]
sitting <03427> [sat.]
Esther 1:2
<03427> [sat.]
Susa <07800> [Shushan.]
Esther 1:7
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.
Esther 1:9
Queen <04436> [the queen.]
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such a degree of wisdom in the construction of their laws, that they never could be amended, and should never be repealed; and this formed the ground of the saying, "The laws of the Medes and Persians that change not."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 1:4
displayed <07200> [When he.]
riches <06239> [the riches.]
majestic <08597> [excellent.]
Esther 1:11
Vashti <02060> [Vashti.]
attractive <04758 02896> [fair to look on. Heb. good of countenance.]
Esther 1:20
kingdom <04438> [throughout.]
women <0802> [all the wives.]
Esther 5:3
Queen ...... request <04436 01246> [What.]
half <02677> [to.]
Esther 5:6
king said <0559 04428> [the king said.]
Esther 8:15
royal attire <03830 04438> [royal apparel.]
purple <08504> [blue. or, violet.]
large ... crown <01419 05850> [and with a great crown.]
Mordecai was now made the chief minister, or vizier, instead of Haman; and was accordingly invested with the "royal apparel," in conformity to the custom of the East. So we are informed, in the History of the Revolt of Ali Bey, that on the election of a new {sheikh bellet,} or chief of the country, in Egypt, the {pasha} who approves of him invests him with a robe of valuable fur. Perhaps the crown was one of the insignia of the office of vizier. Concerning the blue, fine linen, and purple, see the Notes on Ex 25:4; 39:27.
city <05892> [the city.]
Haman was too proud to be popular: few lamented his fall.
Esther 9:30
hundred <03967> [the hundred.]
words .... peace <07965 01697> [words of peace.]
Esther 1:14
seven <07651> [the seven.]
saw <07200> [saw.]
Esther 2:3
provinces <04082> [in all the provinces.]
gather <06908> [that they may gather.]
This was the usual way in which the harem, or {seraglio,} was furnished; the finest women in the land, whether of high or low birth, were sought out and brought to the harem. They all became the king's concubines; but one was raised as chief wife, or sultana, to the throne; and her issue was especially entitled to inherit.
authority <03027> [the custody. Heb. the hand. Hege.]
[Hegai. the king's chamberlain.]
{Saris hammelech,} "the king's eunuch:" so the LXX., Vulgate, Targum, and Syriac.
cosmetics <08562> [their things.]
Esther 2:17
loving approval <02617> [favour. or, kindness. in his sight. Heb. before him. so that he set.]
Bishop Patrick observes, that those who suggest that Esther committed a great sin to come at the dignity of queen of Persia, do not consider the custom of those times and countries. Every one that the king took to his bed was married to him, and was his wife of a lower rank, as Hagar was to Abraham.
Esther 3:6
sought <01245> [sought.]
Esther 3:8
particular <06340> [scattered abroad.]
laws ................ laws <01881> [their laws.]
King ...................................... king's ......... king ..... haven <07737 04428> [for the king's profit to. Heb. meet, or equal for the king to, etc.]
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 7:2
king <0559 04428> [the king said.]
