Esther 3:9
destroy <06> [that they may be destroyed. Heb. to destroy them. and I will pay. Heb. and I will weigh.]
Here Haman is obliged to acknowledge that there would be a loss to the revenue, which he was willing to make up out of his own property. Ten thousand talents of silver, counted by the Babylonish talent, amount to 2,119,000Å“.; but reckoned by the Jewish talent, they amount to double that sum. In those days, silver and gold were more plentiful than at present; and we have many instances of individuals possessing almost incredible riches. Herodotus relates, that when Xerxes went into Greece, Pythius the Lydian had 2,000 talents of silver, and 4,000,000 of gold darics, which unitedly amount to nearly 5,500,000Å“. Plutarch tells us, that after Crassus had dedicated the tenth of all he had to Hercules, he entertained the Roman people at 10,000 tables, and distributed to every citizen as much corn as was sufficient for three months; and, after all these expenses, he had 7,100 Roman talents left, which amount to more than 1,500,000Å“. Lentulus the augur is said to have possessed no less than 3,333,333Å“. 6s. 8d. Apicius was worth more than 916,671Å“ 13s. 4d.; and, after having spent in his kitchen 833,333Å“ 6s. 8d. he considered the remainder too little for his support, and poisoned himself!
ten thousand <06235 0505> [ten thousand.]
Esther 4:7-8
happened <07136> [all that had.]
copy <06572> [the copy.]
instructions <06680> [to charge.]
<02603> [to make supplication.]
implore <01245> [request.]
Deuteronomy 28:68
return ... Egypt <04714 07725> [bring thee into Egypt.]
This verse seems especially to point out an event, which took place subsequently to the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, and the desolation made by Hadrian. Numbers of the captives were sent by sea into Egypt (as well as into other countries), and sold for slaves at a vile price, and for the meanest offices; and many thousands were left to perish from want; for the multitude was so great, that purchasers could not be found for them all at any price!
sell <04376> [there ye shall.]
Deuteronomy 28:1
indeed obey <08085> [If thou shalt.]
observe .... commandments <06213 04687> [to do all.]
<05414> [will set.]
