Esther 3:13
by ... runners <03027 07323> [by posts.]
youth <05288> [both young.]
a ... day <0259 03117> [in one day.]
loot ... plunder <07998> [the spoil.]
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 1:6
mother-of-pearl <02353 01858> [white.]
purple <08504> [blue. or, violet.]
couches <04296> [the beds.]
These were couches, covered with gold and silver cloth, on which the guests reclined; for the Orientals do not sit, but recline at their meals.
valuable stones <0923> [red, etc. or, of porphyre, and marble, and alabaster, and stone of blue colour.]
Job 9:25
swifter <07043> [swifter.]
runner <07323> [a post.]
{Rotz,} a runner, or courier; some of whom are said to go 150 miles in less than 24 hours.
speed <01272> [they flee away.]
