Esther 2:9
found <05375> [she obtained.]
cosmetics <08562> [her her things.]
rations <04490> [such things. Heb. her portions. preferred her. Heb. changed her.]
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 2:4
young woman <05291> [let the maiden.]
idea <01697> [the thing.]
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 7:8
couch <04296> [the bed.]
<01004> [before me. Heb. with me. they covered Haman's.]
When a criminal was condemned by a Roman judge, he was delivered to the serjeant with these words: {I, lictor, caput obnubito arbori infelici suspendito,} "Go, sergeant, cover his head, and hang him on the accursed tree."
Esther 1:14
seven <07651> [the seven.]
saw <07200> [saw.]
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 2:8
Hegai ................ Hegai <01896> [Hegai.]
One of Dr. Kennicott's MSS., instead of Hegai has Heg‚, as in ver. 3.
Esther 1:1
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.]
Esther 3:1
promoted Haman <01431 02001> [A.M. 3551. B.C. 453. promote Haman.]
Agagite <091> [Agagite.]
officials <08269> [above all the princes.]
Esther 8:12
This ........ certain day <03117 0259> [one day.]
thirteenth <07969> [upon the thirteenth.]
Esther 4:5
at ... service <06440 05975> [appointed to attend upon her. Heb. set before her.]
<03045> [to know.]
Esther 4:7
happened <07136> [all that had.]
Esther 6:11
So ... took <03947> [took Hamon.]
clothed <03847> [and arrayed.]
plaza <07339> [the street.]
Pitts gives a similar account of the mode of honouring a person who turns a Mohammedan, at Algiers: "The apostate is to get on a stately steed, with a rich saddle and fine trappings: he is also richly habited, and has a turban on his head, but nothing of this is to be called his own; only there are given him about two or three yards of broad cloth, which is laid before him on the saddle. The horse, with him on his back, is led all round the city, which he is several hours in doing. The apostate is attended with drums and other music, and twenty or thirty serjeants. They march in order on each side of the horse, with naked swords in their hands. The crier goes before, with a loud voice giving thanks to God for the proselyte that is made."
Esther 9:19
happiness <08057> [gladness.]
sending gifts <04490 04916> [sending portions.]
The eastern princes and people not only invite their friends to feasts, but it is their custom to send a portion of the banquet to those that cannot well attend, especially their relations, and those in a state of mourning. Thus, when the Grand Emir found that it incommoded M. D'Arvieux to eat with him, he desired him to take his own time for eating, and sent him from his kitchen what he liked best.
Esther 10:2
actions <04639> [all the acts.]
promoted ..... written <01431 03789> [advanced him. Heb. made him great.]
Book <05612> [in the book.]
Media <04074> [Media.]
Media, which comprehended the modern Azerbijan and part of Irak, was a celebrated country of Asia, bounded on the north by the Caspian Sea and Armenia, west by Assyria, south by Susiana and Persia, and east by Hyrcania and Parthia, extending from 30 degrees to 37 degrees N. lat. and 45 degrees to 53 degrees E. long.
Persia <06539> [Persia.]
Persia Proper, now Fars, was but a small province, being bounded on the north by Media, west by Susiana, south by the Persian Gulf, and east by Caramania, extending from 27 degrees to 33 degrees N. lat. and 50 degrees to 55 degrees E. long. But the Persian empire in its ancient state extended from the Hellespont to the Indus, above 2,800 miles, and from Pontus to the shores of Arabia, above 2,000 miles; comprehending a multitude of various nations.
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 2:3
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 5:1
third <07992> [on the.]
royal attire ..................... royal ..... palace <04438> [royal.]
inner <06442> [inner.]
sitting <03427> [sat.]
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 7:9
Harbona <02726> [Harbonah.]
[Harbona. one of the chamberlains.]
gallows <06086> [Behold.]
gallows <06086> [gallows. Heb. tree. who had spoken.]
Hang <08518> [Hang him thereon.]
