以斯帖記 1:1-1:1

註釋:

  1;  Ahasuerus makes royal feasts.
 10;  Vashti, sent for, refuses to come.
 13;  Ahasuerus, by the counsel of Memucan, puts away Vashti, and
     makes the decree of men's sovereignty.

 * 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.

  Ezr 4:6  Da 9:1 
 * from India.
  8:9  Isa 18:1  37:9 
 * an hundred.
  Da 6:1 

以斯帖記 1:2-1:2

註釋:

 * sat.
  2Sa 7:1  1Ki 1:46  Da 4:4 
 * Shushan.
  2:3  3:15  4:16  9:12-15  Ne 1:1  Da 8:2 

以斯帖記 1:3-1:3

註釋:

 * A.M. 3542.  B.C. 462.  he made.
  2:18  Ge 40:20  1Ki 3:15  Da 5:1  Mr 6:21 
 * of Persia.
  14  Ezr 1:2  Isa 21:2  Jer 51:11  Da 5:28  8:20 
 * the nobles.
  Da 3:2,3  6:1,6,7 

以斯帖記 1:4-1:4

註釋:

 * When he.
  Isa 39:2  Eze 28:5  Da 4:30 
 * the riches.
  Ps 76:1-4  145:5,12,13  Da 2:37-44  7:9-14  Mt 4:8  6:13  Ro 9:23 
  Eph 1:18  Col 1:27  Re 4:11 
 * excellent.
  1Ch 29:11,12,25  Job 40:10  Ps 21:5  45:3  93:1  Da 4:36  5:18 
  2Pe 1:16,17 

以斯帖記 1:5-1:5

註釋:

 * present.  Heb. found.  seven days.
  2Ch 7:8,9  30:21-25 

以斯帖記 1:6-1:6

註釋:

 * white.
  Ex 26:1,31,32,36,37 
 * blue.  or, violet.
  8:15 
 * 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.

  7:8  Eze 23:41  Am 2:8  6:4 
 * red, etc.  or, of porphyre, and marble, and alabaster, and
   stone of blue colour.

以斯帖記 1:7-1:7

註釋:

 * vessels of gold.
  1Ki 10:21  2Ch 9:20  Da 5:2-4 
 * royal wine.  Heb. wine of the kingdom.  state of the king.
   Heb. hand of the king.

以斯帖記 1:8-1:8

註釋:

 * 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.

  Jer 35:8  51:7  Hab 2:15,16 
 * the officers.
  Joh 2:8 

以斯帖記 1:9-1:9

註釋:

 * the queen.
  5:4,8 

以斯帖記 1:10-1:10

註釋:

 * the heart.
  Ge 43:34  Jud 16:25  1Sa 25:36,37  2Sa 13:28  Pr 20:1  Ec 7:2-4 
  Ec 10:19  Eph 5:18,19 
 * Harbona.
  7:9 
 * Harbonah.  chamberlains.  or, eunuchs.
  Da 1:3-5,18,19 

以斯帖記 1:11-1:11

註釋:

 * Vashti.
  Pr 16:9  23:29-33  Mr 6:21,22 
 * fair to look on.  Heb. good of countenance.
  1Sa 25:3  2Sa 14:25  Pr 31:30 

以斯帖記 1:12-1:12

註釋:

 * the queen.
   This refusal of Vashti's, to expose herself to the view of
   such a group of drunken Bacchanalians, was highly
   praiseworthy, and became the dignity of her rank and the
   modesty of her sex.

 * refused.
  Ge 3:16  Eph 5:22,24  1Pe 3:1 
 * by his chamberlains.  Heb. which was by the hand of his
   eunuchs.  was the king.
  Pr 19:12  20:2  Da 2:12  3:13,19  Na 1:6  Re 6:16,17 
 * burned.
  Ex 32:19,22  De 29:20  Ps 74:1  79:5 

以斯帖記 1:13-1:13

註釋:

 * the wise.
  Jer 10:7  Da 2:2,12,27  4:6,7  5:7  Mt 2:1 
 * knew.
  1Ch 12:32  Mt 16:3 

以斯帖記 1:14-1:14

註釋:

 * the seven.
  Ezr 7:14 
 * saw.
  2Ki 25:19  Mt 18:10  Re 22:4 

以斯帖記 1:15-1:15

註釋:

 * What shall we do.  Heb. What to do.
  6:6 

以斯帖記 1:16-1:16

註釋:

 * Vashti.
   This reasoning was inconsequent and false.  Vashti had not
   generally disobeyed the king, therefore she could be no
   precedent for the general conduct of the Persian women.  She
   disobeyed only in one particular; and this, to serve a
   purpose, Memucan draws into a general consequence:  and the
   rest came into the conclusion, being either too intoxicated to
   be able to discern right from wrong, or too intent on reducing
   women to a state of vassalage, to neglect the present
   favourable opportunity.

 * done wrong.
  Ac 18:14  25:10  1Co 6:7,8 

以斯帖記 1:17-1:17

註釋:

 * despise.
  2Sa 6:16  Eph 5:33 

以斯帖記 1:18-1:18

註釋:

 * the ladies.
   {Saroth,} the princesses:  but the meaning is well expressed
   by our term ladies.

  Jud 5:29  1Ki 11:3 

以斯帖記 1:19-1:19

註釋:

 * it please the king.  Heb. it be good with the king.
  21  3:9  8:5 
 * from him.  Heb. from before him.  it be not altered.  Heb. it
   pass not away.
  8:8  Da 6:8-15,17 
   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.  Heb. her companion.  that is better.
  1Sa 15:28  1Ki 3:28 

以斯帖記 1:20-1:20

註釋:

 * throughout.
  De 17:13  21:21 
 * all the wives.
  Eph 5:33  Col 3:18  1Pe 3:1-7 

以斯帖記 1:21-1:21

註釋:

 * pleased the king.  Heb. was good in the eyes of the king.
  19  2:4  Ge 41:37 

以斯帖記 1:22-1:22

註釋:

 * into every province.
  3:12  8:9  Da 3:29  4:1 
 * that every man.
   Both the law of God and common sense taught this from the
   foundation of the world; and this parade of enactment was only
   to deprive Vashti of her crown.

  Eph 5:22-24  1Ti 2:12  Tit 2:4,5 
 * it should, etc.  Heb. one should publish it according to the
   language of his country.
  3:12 
 * according.
  Lu 16:8  Ac 2:5-11  1Co 14:19,20 

以斯帖記 2:1-2:1

註釋:

  1;  Out of the choice of virgins a queen is to be chosen.
  5;  Mordecai the nursing father of Esther.
  8;  Esther preferred before the rest.
 12;  The manner of purification, and going in to the king.
 15;  Esther best pleasing the king, is made queen.
 21;  Mordecai discovering a treason, is recorded in the
     chronicles.

 * A.M. 3543.  B.C. 461.  he remembered.
  Da 6:14-18 
 * what was decreed.
  1:12-21 

以斯帖記 2:2-2:2

註釋:

 * king's servants.
  1:10,14  6:14 
 * Let there be.
  Ge 12:14  1Ki 1:2 

以斯帖記 2:3-2:3

註釋:

 * in all the provinces.
  1:1,2 
 * 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.

 * the custody.  Heb. the hand.  Hege.
  8 
 * Hegai.  the king's chamberlain.
   {Saris hammelech,} "the king's eunuch:" so the LXX., Vulgate,
   Targum, and Syriac.

 * their things.
  12-14  Isa 3:18-23 

以斯帖記 2:4-2:4

註釋:

 * let the maiden.
  Mt 20:16  22:14 
 * the thing.
  1:21  3:9,10  2Sa 13:4-6  16:21-23  17:4  Mt 14:6 

以斯帖記 2:5-2:5

註釋:

 * Shushan.
  3  1:2  5:1 
 * a certain Jew.
  3:2-6  10:3 
 * the son of Shimei.
  1Sa 9:1  2Sa 16:5 

以斯帖記 2:6-2:6

註釋:

 * Jeconiah.
  2Ki 24:6,14,15  2Ch 36:9,10,20 
 * Jeboiachin.
  Jer 22:24,28 
 * Coniah.
  Jer 24:1 

以斯帖記 2:7-2:7

註釋:

 * brought up.  Heb. nourished.
  Eph 6:4 
 * Hadassah.
  Da 1:6,7 
 * his uncle's.
  15  Jer 32:7-12 
 * fair and beautiful.  Heb. fair of form and good of
   countenance.
  1:11 
 * took.
  Ge 48:5  2Co 6:18  1Jo 3:1 

以斯帖記 2:8-2:8

註釋:

 * Hegai.
   One of Dr. Kennicott's MSS., instead of Hegai has Heg(822c) as in
   ver. 3.

  3 

以斯帖記 2:9-2:9

註釋:

 * she obtained.
  Ge 39:21  1Ki 8:50  Ezr 7:6  Ne 2:8  Ps 106:46  Pr 16:7  Da 1:9 
  Ac 7:10 
 * her her things.
  3,12 
 * such things.  Heb. her portions.  preferred her.  Heb.
   changed her.

以斯帖記 2:10-2:10

註釋:

 * had not shewed.
  3:8  4:13,14  7:4  Mt 10:16 
 * for Mordecai.
  7,20  Eph 6:1 

以斯帖記 2:11-2:11

註釋:

 * Mordecai.
   The apartments of the women are accounted so inviolable, that
   it is even a crime to enquire what passes within their walls.
   A man, says Chardin, may walk a hundred days, one after the
   other, by the house where the women are, and yet know no more
   what is done there than at the farther end of Tartary.  This
   sufficiently explains the conduct of Mordecai.

 * walked.
  13,14 
 * how Esther did.  Heb. the peace of Esther.
  Ge 37:14  1Sa 17:18  Ac 15:36 

以斯帖記 2:12-2:12

註釋:

 * A.M. 3546.  B.C. 458.  to go in.
  1Th 4:4,5 
 * six months.
  Pr 7:17  So 3:6  Isa 57:9  Lu 7:37,38 

以斯帖記 2:13-2:13

註釋:

  13 

以斯帖記 2:14-2:14

註釋:

 * delighted.
  4:11  Ge 34:19  De 21:14  Isa 62:4,5 
 * she were called.
  Isa 43:1  45:4 

以斯帖記 2:15-2:15

註釋:

 * who had taken.
  7 
 * Esther.
  So 6:9  8:10  Ac 7:10 

以斯帖記 2:16-2:16

註釋:

 * the tenth month.
  8:9 
 * the seventh.
  1,3  Ezr 7:8 

以斯帖記 2:17-2:17

註釋:

 * favour.  or, kindness.  in his sight.  Heb. before him.  so
   that he set.
  4:14  1Sa 2:8  Ps 75:6,7  113:7,8  Eze 17:24  Lu 1:48-52 
   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.

以斯帖記 2:18-2:18

註釋:

 * A.M. 3547.  B.C. 457.  made a great.
  1:3-5  Ge 29:22  Jud 14:10-17  So 3:11  5:1  Mt 22:2  Lu 14:8 
  Re 19:9 
 * he made.
   We learn from Herodotus and Athen(9175)s, that the Persian
   monarchs were accustomed to give their wives distinct cities
   and provinces for the purpose of supplying them with different
   articles of dress:  one was assigned for ornamenting the head
   and neck; another provided robes, zones, etc.; and the city of
   Anthilla was given to a Persian queen, we read, to supply her
   with shoes and sandals.  It is probable, therefore, that, at
   the desire of Esther, Ahasuerus relieved those cities and
   provinces that had before paid it, from this expense.

 * release.  Heb. rest.  gave gifts.
  9:22  1Sa 25:8  Ne 8:11  Re 11:10 

以斯帖記 2:19-2:19

註釋:

 * the virgins.
  3,4 
 * sat in the king's gate.
  21  3:2,3  5:13 

以斯帖記 2:20-2:20

註釋:

 * had not yet shewed.
  10 
 * for Esther.
  Eph 6:1-3 

以斯帖記 2:21-2:21

註釋:

 * Bigthan.
  6:2 
 * Bigthana.  door.  Heb. threshold.  and sought.
  2Sa 4:5,6  16:11  1Ki 15:25-27  16:9  2Ki 9:22-24  12:20  21:23 
  Ps 144:10 

以斯帖記 2:22-2:22

註釋:

 * the thing.
  Ec 10:20  Ac 23:12-22 
 * and Esther certified.
  6:1,2  Ro 11:33 
 * Mordecai's name.
  Php 2:4 

以斯帖記 2:23-2:23

註釋:

 * hanged.
  5:14  7:10  Ge 40:19,22  De 21:22,23  Jos 8:29 
 * the book.
  6:1,2  Mal 3:16 

以斯帖記 3:1-3:1

註釋:

  1;  Haman, advanced by the king, and despised by Mordecai,
     seeks revenge upon all the Jews.
  7;  He casts lots.
  8;  He obtains by calumniation a decree of the king to put the
     Jews to death.

 * A.M. 3551.  B.C. 453.  promote Haman.
  7:6  Ps 12:8  Pr 29:2 
 * Agagite.
  Nu 24:7  1Sa 15:8,33 
 * above all the princes.
  1:14  Ge 41:40,55  Ezr 7:14  Da 6:2 

以斯帖記 3:2-3:2

註釋:

 * 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.

  2:19,21 
 * bowed.
  Ge 41:43  Php 2:10 
 * bowed not.
   {Yichr(8320)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.

  1,5  Ex 17:14,16  De 25:19  1Sa 15:3  Ps 15:4 

以斯帖記 3:3-3:3

註釋:

 * Why.
  2  Ex 1:17  Mt 15:2,3 

以斯帖記 3:4-3:4

註釋:

 * when they spake.
  Ge 39:10 
 * that they told.
  Da 3:8,9  6:13 
 * he had told.
  Ezr 1:3  Da 3:12,16-18,23-30  6:20-28  Jon 1:9 

以斯帖記 3:5-3:5

註釋:

 * that Mordecai.
  2  5:9 
 * full of wrath.
  1:12  Ge 4:5,6  Job 5:2  Pr 12:16  19:19  21:24  27:3,4  Da 3:19 

以斯帖記 3:6-3:6

註釋:

 * sought.
  Ps 83:4  Re 12:12 

以斯帖記 3:7-3:7

註釋:

 * the first month.
  Ne 2:1 
 * in the twelfth.
  1:3  2:16 
 * they cast Pur.
  9:24-26  Pr 16:33  Eze 21:21,22  Mt 27:35 
 * Adar.
  9:1,5,17-19,21  Ezr 6:15 

以斯帖記 3:8-3:8

註釋:

 * scattered abroad.
  Le 26:33  De 4:27  30:3  32:26  Ne 1:8  Jer 50:17  Eze 6:8  11:16 
  Zec 7:14  Joh 7:35  Jas 1:1  1Pe 1:1 
 * their laws.
  Ezr 4:12-15  Ac 16:20,21  17:6,7  24:5  28:22 
 * for the king's profit to.  Heb. meet, or equal for the king
   to, etc.

以斯帖記 3:9-3:9

註釋:

 * that they may be destroyed.  Heb. to destroy them.  and I
   will pay.  Heb. and I will weigh.
  Ge 23:16 
   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 2,119,000(9c2e); 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
   5,500,000(9c2e)  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 1,500,000(9c2e)  Lentulus the augur is
   said to have possessed no less than 3,333,333(9c2e) 6s. 8d.
   Apicius was worth more than 916,671(9c20)13s. 4d.; and, after
   having spent in his kitchen 833,333(9c20)6s. 8d. he considered the
   remainder too little for his support, and poisoned himself!

 * ten thousand.
  Mt 18:24 

以斯帖記 3:10-3:10

註釋:

 * took.
  8:2,8  Ge 41:42 
 * enemy.  or, oppressor.
  7:6 

以斯帖記 3:11-3:11

註釋:

 * to do.
  Ps 73:7  Jer 26:14  40:4  Lu 23:25 

以斯帖記 3:12-3:12

註釋:

 * Then were.
  8:9-17 
 * scribes.  or, secretaries.  according.
  1:22  8:9  9:27 
 * in the name.
  1Ki 21:8  Da 6:8,12,15 
 * sealed.
  8:2,8,10 

以斯帖記 3:13-3:13

註釋:

 * by posts.
  8:10,14  2Ch 30:6  Job 9:25  Jer 51:31  Ro 3:15 
 * both young.
  1Sa 15:3  22:19 
 * in one day.
  8:12-14  Jas 2:13 
 * the spoil.
  8:11  9:10  Isa 10:6 

以斯帖記 3:14-3:14

註釋:

 * The copy.
  8:13,14 

以斯帖記 3:15-3:15

註釋:

 * hastened.
  Pr 1:16  4:16 
 * sat down.
  Ho 7:5  Am 6:6  Joh 16:20  Re 11:10 
 * the city.
  4:16  8:15  Pr 29:2 

以斯帖記 4:1-4:1

註釋:

  1;  The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews.
  4;  Esther, understanding it, sends to Mordecai, who shews the
     cause, and advises her to undertake the suit.
 10;  She excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai.
 15;  She appointing a fast, undertakes the suit.

 * all that.
  3:8-13 
 * rent.
  2Sa 1:11  Job 1:20  Jon 3:4-9  Ac 14:14 
 * with ashes.
  3  Jos 7:6  2Sa 13:19  Job 2:8  42:6  Isa 58:5  Eze 27:30  Da 9:3 
  Jon 3:6  Mt 11:21 
 * and cried.
   Mordecai gave every demonstration of the most poignant grief.
   Nor did he hide this from the city; and the Greek says that he
   uttered these words aloud:  [Airetai ethnos meden edikekos,]
   "A people is going to be destroyed who have done no evil."

  Ge 27:34  Isa 15:4  22:4  Eze 21:6  27:31  Mic 1:8  Zep 1:14 
  Re 18:17-19 

以斯帖記 4:2-4:2

註釋:

  2 

以斯帖記 4:3-4:3

註釋:

 * in every province.
  1:1  3:12 
 * great mourning.
   It cannot reasonably be doubted, that the mournings, fastings,
   and weepings of the Jews were attended by constant prayers and
   supplications; though all mention of them, and of the glorious
   God whom they worshipped, seems to have been studiously
   avoided.

  1Sa 4:13,14  11:4  Isa 22:4,12  37:1-3 
 * weeping.
  Mt 13:42  22:13  25:30 
 * many lay in sackcloth and ashes.  Heb. sackcloth and ashes
   were laid under many.
  Isa 58:5  Da 9:3 

以斯帖記 4:4-4:4

註釋:

 * chamberlains.  Heb. eunuchs.
  1:12  1Sa 8:15  *marg: 
  2Ki 9:32  Isa 56:3  Ac 8:27 
 * but he received it not.
  Ge 37:35  Ps 77:2  Jer 31:15 

以斯帖記 4:5-4:5

註釋:

 * appointed to attend upon her.  Heb. set before her.
  1:10,12 
 * to know.
  Ro 12:15  1Co 12:26  Php 2:4  Heb 4:15 

以斯帖記 4:6-4:6

註釋:

 * the king said.
  3  7:2  9:12 

以斯帖記 4:7-4:7

註釋:

 * all that had.
  3:2-15 

以斯帖記 4:8-4:8

註釋:

 * the copy.
  3:14,15 
 * to charge.
  2:20  1Ti 6:13,17 
 * to make supplication.
  Job 9:15  Pr 16:14,15  Ec 10:4  Ac 12:20 
 * request.
  7:3,4  8:6  Ne 2:3-5  Pr 21:1 

以斯帖記 4:9-4:9

註釋:

  9 

以斯帖記 4:10-4:10

註釋:

  10 

以斯帖記 4:11-4:11

註釋:

 * shall come.
   Herodotus informs us, that ever since the reign of Deioces,
   king of Media, for the security of the king's person, it was
   enacted that no one should be admitted into his presence; but
   that if any one had business with him, he should transact it
   through the medium of his ministers.

 * the inner court.
  5:1 
 * one law.
  Da 2:9 
 * the king shall.
  5:2  8:4 
 * the golden sceptre.
   That the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre, we have the
   following proof in Xenophon:  [Hoti ou tode to chrysoun
   skeptron to men basileian diasozon estin, all hoi pistoi
   philoi skeptron basileusin alethestaton kai asphalestaton.]
   "It is not (said Cyrus to his son Cambyses) the golden sceptre
   that saves the kingdom; but faithful friends are the truest
   and best sceptre of the kingdom."

 * but I.
  1:19  2:14  1Pe 3:7 

以斯帖記 4:12-4:12

註釋:

  12 

以斯帖記 4:13-4:13

註釋:

 * Think not.
  Pr 24:10-12  Mt 16:24,25  Joh 12:25  Php 2:30  Heb 12:3 

以斯帖記 4:14-4:14

註釋:

 * then shall.
  Ge 22:14  Nu 23:22-24  De 32:26,27,36  1Sa 12:22  Isa 54:17 
  Jer 30:11  33:24-26  46:28  Am 9:8,9  Mt 16:18  24:22 
 * enlargement.  Heb. respiration.
  Ezr 9:9  Job 9:18 
 * but thou.
  2:7,15  Jud 14:15-18  15:6 
 * whether.
  Ge 45:4-8  Isa 45:1-5  49:23  Ac 7:20-25 
 * for such a time.
  1Sa 17:29  2Ki 19:3  Ne 6:11 
   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.

以斯帖記 4:15-4:15

註釋:

  15 

以斯帖記 4:16-4:16

註釋:

 * present.  Heb. found.  fast.
  2Ch 20:3  Isa 22:12  Joe 1:14,15  2:12-17  Jon 3:4-9 
 * eat nor drink.
  5:1  Mt 12:40  Ac 9:9  27:33 
 * I also.
  Ge 18:19  Jos 24:15  Ac 10:7 
 * if I perish.
   If I lose my life in the attempt to save my people, I shall
   lose it cheerfully.  I see it is my duty to make the attempt;
   and, come what will, I am resolved to do it.

  Ge 43:14  1Sa 19:5  2Sa 10:12  Lu 9:24  Ac 20:24  21:13  Ro 16:4 
  Php 2:30 

以斯帖記 4:17-4:17

註釋:

 * went.  Heb. passed.
  17 

以斯帖記 5:1-5:1

註釋:

  1;  Esther, adventuring on the king's favour, obtains the grace
     of the golden sceptre, and invites the king and Haman to a
     banquet.
  6;  She, being encouraged by the king in her suit, invites them
     to another banquet the next day.
  9;  Haman, proud of his advancement, repines at the contempt of
     Mordecai.
 14;  By the counsel of Zeresh he prepares for him a gallows.

 * on the.
  4:16  Mt 27:64 
 * royal.
  1:11  8:15  Mt 10:16  11:8  1Pe 3:3-5 
 * inner.
  4:11  6:4 
 * sat.
  1Ki 10:18-20  Lu 22:30  Re 3:21 

以斯帖記 5:2-5:2

註釋:

 * she.
  Ge 32:28  Ne 1:11  Ps 116:1  Pr 21:1  Ac 7:10  10:4 
 * golden sceptre.
  4:11  8:4 

以斯帖記 5:3-5:3

註釋:

 * What.
  6 
  7:2  9:12  1Ki 2:20  3:5  Mt 20:20-22  Lu 18:41 
 * to.
  6  Mr 6:23 

以斯帖記 5:4-5:4

註釋:

 * If it seem.
  8  Pr 29:11 
 * 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."

  8  3:15  Ge 27:25  32:20  Ps 112:5  1Co 14:20 

以斯帖記 5:5-5:5

註釋:

 * Cause Haman.
  6:14 

以斯帖記 5:6-5:6

註釋:

 * the king said.
  3  7:2  9:12 

以斯帖記 5:7-5:7

註釋:

  7 

以斯帖記 5:8-5:8

註釋:

 * perform.  Heb. do.  let the king.
   Esther probably wished another interview, that she might
   ingratiate herself more fully into the king's favour, and thus
   secure the success of her design.  But Providence disposed of
   things thus, to give time for the important event mentioned in
   the following chapter.

 * to-morrow.
  6:1-13  Pr 16:9 

以斯帖記 5:9-5:9

註釋:

 * joyful.
  Job 20:5  Am 6:12,13  Lu 6:25  Joh 16:20  Jas 4:9 
 * he stood not up.
  3:2  Ps 15:4  Mt 10:28 
 * he was full.
  3:5  1Ki 21:4  Job 31:31  Ps 27:3  Da 3:13,16-19  Mt 2:16  Ac 7:54 

以斯帖記 5:10-5:10

註釋:

 * refrained.
  Ge 43:30,31  45:1  2Sa 13:22,23  Ec 7:9 
 * called for his friends.  Heb. caused his friends to come.
   Zeresh.
  6:13 

以斯帖記 5:11-5:11

註釋:

 * the glory.
  1:4  Ge 31:1  Job 31:24,25  Ps 49:6,16,17  Isa 10:8  Jer 9:23,24 
  Da 4:30  Mr 10:24  Lu 12:19,20  1Ti 6:17 
 * the multitude.
  9:7-10,12,13  Job 27:14,15  Ho 9:13,14 
 * and how he had.
  3:1 

以斯帖記 5:12-5:12

註釋:

 * Yea, Esther.
   Plutarch, in his life of Artaxerxes, informs us, that none but
   the king's mother, and his real wife, were permitted to sit at
   his table; and therefore he mentions it as a condescension in
   that prince, that he sometimes invited his brothers.  Haman,
   therefore, had some reason to be proud of this favour.

 * to-morrow.
  Job 8:12,13  20:5-8  Ps 37:35,36  Pr 7:22,23  27:1  Lu 21:34,35 
  1Th 5:3 

以斯帖記 5:13-5:13

註釋:

 * Yet all this.
   Pride will ever render its possessor unhappy.  Haman, though
   possessed of immense riches, glory, and honour, and the prime
   favourite of his king, is wretched, because he could not have
   the homage of that man whom his heart even despised!  Oh, how
   distressing are the inquietudes of pride and vanity.

  1Ki 21:4-6  Job 15:20  18:4  Ec 1:2,14  Php 4:11,12 

以斯帖記 5:14-5:14

註釋:

 * said Zeresh.
  2Sa 13:3-5  1Ki 21:7,25  2Ch 22:3,4  Mr 6:19-24 
 * Let a gallows.  Heb. Let a tree.
  7:9 
 * speak thou.
  3:8-15  6:4 
 * go thou in.
  3:15  1Ki 21:7  Am 6:4-6  Re 11:10 
 * the thing.
  2Sa 16:21-23  17:1-4  Mr 14:10,11  Ac 23:14,15  Ro 1:32 
 * he caused.
  7:10  Ps 7:13-16  9:15  37:14,32  Pr 1:18  4:16  Ro 3:15 

以斯帖記 6:1-6:1

註釋:

  1;  Ahasuerus, reading in the chronicles of the good service
     done by Mordecai, takes care for his reward.
  4;  Haman, coming to sue that Mordecai might be hanged, gives
     counsel that he might do him honour.
 12;  Complaining of this, his friends tell him of his final
     destiny.

 * that night.
  5:8  Ge 22:14  1Sa 23:26,27  Isa 41:17  Ro 11:33 
 * could not the king sleep.  Heb. the king's sleep fled away.
  Da 2:1  6:18 
 * the book of records.
   As chronicles were composed among the Persians, a more
   instructive and interesting work could not be brought before
   the king; because they were all written in verse, and were
   generally the work of the most eminent poets of the empire.

  2:23  Mal 3:16 

以斯帖記 6:2-6:2

註釋:

 * Bigthana.
  2:21 
 * Bigthan.  door.  Heb. threshold.

以斯帖記 6:3-6:3

註釋:

 * What honour.
  Jud 1:12,13  1Sa 17:25,26  1Ch 11:6  Da 5:7,16,29  Ac 28:8-10 
 * There is nothing.
  Ge 40:23  Ps 118:8,9  Ec 9:15 

以斯帖記 6:4-6:4

註釋:

 * Who is in the court.
  Pr 3:27,28  Ec 9:10 
 * the outward.
  4:11  5:1 
 * to speak.
  3:8-11  5:14  7:9  Job 5:13  Ps 2:4  33:19 

以斯帖記 6:5-6:5

註釋:

  5 

以斯帖記 6:6-6:6

註釋:

 * whom the king, etc.  Heb. in whose honour the king
   delighteth.
  Ps 35:27  Isa 42:1  62:4,5  Jer 32:41  Mt 3:17  Joh 5:23 
 * To whom.
  3:2,3  5:11  Pr 1:32  16:18  18:12  30:13  Ob 1:3 

以斯帖記 6:7-6:7

註釋:

 * whom the king, etc.  Heb. in whose honour the king
   delighteth.
  9,11 

以斯帖記 6:8-6:8

註釋:

 * Let the royal, etc.  Heb. Let them bring the royal apparel,
   wherewith the king clotheth himself.
  1Sa 18:4  Lu 15:22 
 * 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.

  1Ki 1:33 

以斯帖記 6:9-6:9

註釋:

 * bring him.  Heb. cause him to ride.  proclaim.
  Ge 41:43  1Ki 1:33,34  Zec 9:9 

以斯帖記 6:10-6:10

註釋:

 * Make haste.
  Da 4:37  Lu 14:11  Re 18:7 
 * let nothing fail.  Heb. suffer not a whit to fall.
  2Ki 10:10 

以斯帖記 6:11-6:11

註釋:

 * took Hamon.
  Ezr 6:13  Isa 60:14  Lu 1:52  Re 3:9 
 * and arrayed.
  8:15  9:3 
 * 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."

以斯帖記 6:12-6:12

註釋:

 * came again.
  2:19  1Sa 3:15  Ps 131:1,2 
 * hasted to his house.
  2Sa 17:23  1Ki 20:43  21:4  2Ch 26:20  Job 20:5 
 * having.
  7:8  2Sa 15:30  Job 9:24  Jer 14:3,4 

以斯帖記 6:13-6:13

註釋:

 * Zeresh.
  5:10-14 
 * said his wise.
  Ge 41:8  Da 2:12 
 * If Mordecai.
  Ge 40:19  1Sa 28:19,20  Job 15:24  Da 5:26-28  Zec 12:2,3 
 * but shalt surely.
  Job 16:2  Pr 28:18  Ho 14:9 

以斯帖記 6:14-6:14

註釋:

 * hasted to bring.
  5:8,14  De 32:35,36 

以斯帖記 7:1-7:1

註釋:

  1;  Esther, entertaining the king and Haman, makes suit for her
     own life, and her people's.
  5;  She accuses Haman.
  7;  The king in his anger, understanding of the gallows which
     Haman had made for Mordecai, causes him to be hanged
     thereon.

 * banquet.  Heb. drink.
  3:15  5:8 

以斯帖記 7:2-7:2

註釋:

 * the king said.
  5:6  Joh 16:24 

以斯帖記 7:3-7:3

註釋:

 * let my life.
  7  1Ki 20:31  2Ki 1:13  Job 2:4  Jer 38:26 
 * my people.
  4:8  Ps 122:6-9 

以斯帖記 7:4-7:4

註釋:

 * we are sold.
  3:9  4:7,8  De 28:68  1Sa 22:23 
 * to be destroyed, etc.  Heb. that they should destroy, and
   kill, and cause to perish.
  3:13  8:11  Ps 44:22,23 
 * But if we.
  Ge 37:26-28  De 28:68  Jos 9:23  Ne 5:5  Joe 3:6  Am 2:6 
 * the enemy.
  6  3:9 

以斯帖記 7:5-7:5

註釋:

 * Who is he.
  Ge 27:33  Job 9:24 
 * that durst, etc.  Heb. whose heart hath filled him.
  Ac 5:3 

以斯帖記 7:6-7:6

註釋:

 * The adversary.  Heb. The man adversary.  this wicked.
  1Sa 24:13  Ps 27:2  139:19-22  Pr 24:24,25  Ec 5:8  1Co 5:13 
  2Th 2:8 
 * was afraid.
  Ne 6:16  Job 15:21,22  18:5-12  Ps 73:5-9,17-20  Pr 16:14 
  Isa 21:4  Da 5:5,6 
 * before.  or, at the presence of.

以斯帖記 7:7-7:7

註釋:

 * in his wrath.
  1:12 
 * Haman.
  Pr 14:19  Isa 60:14  Re 3:9 
 * for he saw.
  1Sa 20:7,9  25:17  Ps 112:10  Pr 19:12  Da 3:19 

以斯帖記 7:8-7:8

註釋:

 * the bed.
  1:6  Isa 49:23 
 * 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."

  6:12  Job 9:24  Isa 22:17 

以斯帖記 7:9-7:9

註釋:

 * Harbonah.
  1:10 
 * Harbona.  one of the chamberlains.
  6:14  2Ki 9:32 
 * Behold.
  5:14  Job 27:20-23  Ps 7:15,16  35:8  141:10  Pr 11:5,6 
 * gallows.  Heb. tree.  who had spoken.
  2:21-23  6:2 
 * Hang him thereon.
  9:25  1Sa 17:51  Ps 7:15,16  9:15,16  35:8  37:35,36  73:19 
  Pr 11:5,6  Da 6:7,24 

以斯帖記 7:10-7:10

註釋:

 * Then was the king's.
  Jud 15:7  Eze 5:13  Zec 6:8 

以斯帖記 8:1-8:1

註釋:

  1;  Mordecai is advanced.
  3;  Esther makes suit to reverse Haman's letters.
  7;  Ahasuerus grants to the Jews to defend themselves.
 15;  Mordecai's honour, and the Jews' joy.

 * give the house.
  Job 27:16,17  Ps 39:6  49:6-13  Pr 13:22  28:8  Ec 2:18,19 
  Lu 12:20 
 * came before.
  1:14  2:7,15 

以斯帖記 8:2-8:2

註釋:

 * his ring.
  3:10  Ge 41:42  Isa 22:19-22  Lu 15:22 
 * Esther set.
  2Sa 9:7-10  Ps 37:34  Ec 2:18,19-26  5:13,14  Da 2:48 

以斯帖記 8:3-8:3

註釋:

 * fell.
  1Sa 25:24  2Ki 4:27 
 * besought him with tears.  Heb. she wept and besought him.
  Isa 38:2  Ho 12:4  Heb 5:7 
 * mischief.
  3:8-15  7:4 

以斯帖記 8:4-8:4

註釋:

 * held out.
  4:11  5:2 

以斯帖記 8:5-8:5

註釋:

 * and, if I.
  7:3  Ex 33:13,16  1Sa 20:29 
 * I be pleasing.
  2:4,17 
 * letters.  Heb. device.
  3:12,13 
 * which he wrote.  or, who wrote.

以斯帖記 8:6-8:6

註釋:

 * For how.
  Ge 44:34  Jer 4:19  9:1  Lu 19:41,42  Ro 9:2,3  10:1 
 * endure to see.  Heb. be able that I may see.  the evil.
  7:4  Ne 2:3 

以斯帖記 8:7-8:7

註釋:

 * Behold.
  1  Pr 13:22 
 * him they have hanged.
  7:10  Ga 3:13 

以斯帖記 8:8-8:8

註釋:

 * in the king's name.
  3:12  1Ki 21:8 
 * may no man reverse.
   No, not the king himself; and this was the reason that the
   king was forced not to reverse, but to give a contradictory
   decree; that if the Jews, pursuant to the first decree, were
   assaulted, they might legitimately, by virtue of the second,
   defend themselves, slay their enemies, and even take the
   spoil.

  5  1:19  Da 6:8,12-15  2Ti 2:19  Heb 6:17,18 

以斯帖記 8:9-8:9

註釋:

 * the king's.
  3:12 
 * and to the lieutenants.
  1:1,22  3:12,13  Da 6:1 
 * India.
   The Hebrew word {Hoddo,} in Syriac, {Hendoo,} and in Arabic,
   {Hind,} is rendered India by all the versions.  India, or
   Hindostan, is a large country of the south of Asia, extending
   from north to south about 2,400; miles, and from east to west
   1,800, between 8; degrees and 35; degrees N. lat. and 68; degrees
   and 92; degrees E. long.; being bounded on the west by the
   Indus, east by the Birman empire and Thibet, north by the
   Indian Caucasus, and south by the Indian Ocean.  It is
   probable, however, that all the country east of the Indus was
   anciently called India.

 * and according.
  1:22  3:12  2Ki 18:26  Da 4:1  1Co 14:9-11 

以斯帖記 8:10-8:10

註釋:

 * in the king.
  1Ki 21:8  Ec 8:4  Da 4:1 
 * by posts.
  3:13  2Ch 30:6  Job 9:25  Jer 51:21 
 * mules.
   {Rechesh,} in Syriac, {rechesha,} probably denotes a swift
   horse.

 * camels.
   {Achashteranim,} from the Persian {akhash,} large, and
   {aster,} a mule, probably, as Bochart supposes, denotes a
   large mule.

 * young dromedaries.
   {Beney harammachim,} "the sons of mares," as the word
   {ramakat} denotes in Arabic; probably an expletive of the
   preceeding word.

  Isa 60:6  66:20  Jer 2:23 

以斯帖記 8:11-8:11

註釋:

 * to gather.
  9:2-16 
 * to destroy.
  Ps 37:14,15  68:3  137:8  146:6-9  Eze 39:10 
 * and to take the spoil.
  3:13  9:10,15,16  Isa 10:6 

以斯帖記 8:12-8:12

註釋:

 * one day.
  9:1  Ex 15:9,10  Jud 1:6,7 
 * upon the thirteenth.
  3:13-15 

以斯帖記 8:13-8:13

註釋:

 * published.  Heb. revealed.  avenge themselves.
  Jud 16:28  Ps 37:14,15  68:23  92:10,11  149:6-9  Lu 18:7  Re 6:10 

以斯帖記 8:14-8:14

註釋:

 * being hastened.
  1Sa 21:8  Ec 9:10 
 * Shushan.
  1:2  2:3  3:15  Ne 1:1  Da 8:2 

以斯帖記 8:15-8:15

註釋:

 * royal apparel.
  5:1  6:8,11  Ge 41:42  Mt 6:29  11:8  Lu 16:19 
 * blue.  or, violet.
  1:6 
 * 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.

 * the city.
   Haman was too proud to be popular:  few lamented his fall.

  3:15  Pr 29:2 

以斯帖記 8:16-8:16

註釋:

 * Jews.
  4:1-3,16  Ps 30:5-11 
 * had light.
   That is, prosperity and hope.  The dark cloud which had so
   long hung over them was dispelled; and again the sunshine of
   prosperity beamed upon them.

  9:17  Ps 18:28  97:11  Pr 4:18,19  11:10  Isa 30:29,30  35:10 

以斯帖記 8:17-8:17

註釋:

 * a feast.
  9:17,19,22  1Sa 25:8  Ne 8:10 
 * many of the people.
  Ps 18:43  Zec 8:20-23 
 * for the fear.
  9:2  Ge 35:5  Ex 15:16  De 2:25  11:25 

以斯帖記 9:1-9:1

註釋:

  1;  The Jews slay their enemies, with the ten sons of Haman.
 12;  Ahasuerus, at the request of Esther, grants another day of
     slaughter, and Haman's sons to be hanged.
 20;  The two days of Purim are made festival.

 * A.M. 3552.  B.C. 452.  in the twelfth.
  3:7,13  8:12 
 * hoped.
  Ac 12:11 
 * though it was turned.
  De 32:36  2Sa 22:41  Ps 30:11  Isa 14:1,2  60:14-16  Re 11:18 

以斯帖記 9:2-9:2

註釋:

 * gathered.
  10,16  8:11 
 * as sought.
  De 2:30  Jos 11:20  Ps 71:13,24  Isa 8:9 
 * the fear.
  8:17  Ge 35:5  Ex 23:27  Jos 2:9 

以斯帖記 9:3-9:3

註釋:

 * the rulers.
  3:12  8:9  Ezr 8:36  Da 3:2  6:1,2 
 * officers of the king.  Heb. those which did the business that
   belonged to the king.  the fear.
  3:2-6  8:5 

以斯帖記 9:4-9:4

註釋:

 * was great.
  Ps 18:43 
 * his fame.
  Jos 6:27  1Sa 2:30  1Ch 14:17  Zep 3:19  Mt 4:24 
 * waxed.
  2Sa 3:1  1Ch 11:9  Ps 1:3  Pr 4:18  Isa 9:7 

以斯帖記 9:5-9:5

註釋:

 * smote.
  Ps 18:34-40,47,48  20:7,8  149:6-9  2Th 1:6 
 * the stroke.
  Jer 18:21 
 * what they would.  Heb. according to their will.
   The Chaldee paraphrast says that none appeared against the
   Jews but Amalekites only, who were infatuated, and had their
   hearts hardened, as Pharaoh's against Israel, to take up arms
   to their own destruction.  Some had such an inveterate,
   implacable malice against the Jews, that Haman's fall and
   Mordecai's advancement, instead of convincing, seemed only to
   exasperate them the more.  How have the most dreadful scourges
   ravaged a country, and yet the inhabitants are unmindful of
   the Almighty Disposer of events, and that the cause of his
   righteous displeasure is their continual provocation!  Forty
   years long was he grieved with one generation, who learned not
   his ways, although daily fed and clothed by a miracle.

以斯帖記 9:6-9:6

註釋:

 * Shushan.
  3:15 

以斯帖記 9:7-9:7

註釋:

  7 

以斯帖記 9:8-9:8

註釋:

  8 

以斯帖記 9:9-9:9

註釋:

  9 

以斯帖記 9:10-9:10

註釋:

 * ten sons.
  5:11  Ex 20:5  Job 18:18,19  27:13-15  Ps 21:10  109:12,13 
 * enemy.
  3:1  7:4,6  Ex 17:16 
 * but on the spoil.
   It does not appear that the Jews slew any person who did not
   rise up to destroy them:  they stood for their lives; and gave
   full proof that they sought their own personal safety, and not
   the property of their enemies:  though the decree in their
   favour gave them authority to take the property of all their
   adversaries.

  15,16 
  8:11  Ge 14:23  Ro 12:17  Php 4:8 

以斯帖記 9:11-9:11

註釋:

 * was brought.  Heb. came.
  11 

以斯帖記 9:12-9:12

註釋:

 * what is thy petition.
  5:6  7:2 

以斯帖記 9:13-9:13

註釋:

 * If it please the king.
   Esther had probably been informed by Mordecai, that there were
   still many enemies of the Jews who sought their destruction,
   who had escaped the preceding day; and therefore begged that
   the second day might be added to the former permission; and
   that the sons of Haman, who had already been slain, might be
   suspended on gibbets, as a terror to those who sought the
   destruction of the Jews.

 * according unto.
  8:11 
 * let Haman's ten sons be hanged.  Heb. let men hang Haman's
   ten sons.
  De 21:23  2Sa 21:6,9  Ga 3:13 

以斯帖記 9:14-9:14

註釋:

  14 

以斯帖記 9:15-9:15

註釋:

 * gathered themselves.
  2,13  8:11  Ps 118:7-12 
 * but on the prey.
  10,16  1Th 5:22  Heb 13:5 

以斯帖記 9:16-9:16

註釋:

 * gathered themselves.
  2 
  8:11 
 * stood.
  8:11  Le 26:7,8 

以斯帖記 9:17-9:17

註釋:

 * of the same.  Heb. in it.
  1,18,21  3:12  8:9 

以斯帖記 9:18-9:18

註釋:

 * on the thirteenth.
  1,11,13,15 

以斯帖記 9:19-9:19

註釋:

 * gladness.
  22  8:17  De 16:11,14  Ne 8:10-12  Ps 118:11-16  Lu 11:41  Re 11:10 
 * 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.

以斯帖記 9:20-9:20

註釋:

 * Mordecai.
   That is, as the words imply, the history contained in this
   book; and not merely the letters afterwards mentioned, as some
   understand it.

 * wrote these.
  Ex 17:14  De 31:19-22  1Ch 16:12  Ps 124:1-3  145:4-12 
  2Co 1:10,11 
 * in all the provinces.
  1:1,22  3:12  8:9 

以斯帖記 9:21-9:21

註釋:

  21 

以斯帖記 9:22-9:22

註釋:

 * the days.
  3:12,13  Ex 13:3-8  Ps 103:2  Isa 12:1,2  14:3 
 * from sorrow.
  Ps 30:11  Mt 5:4  Joh 16:20-22 
 * sending portions.
  19  Ne 8:10-12  Lu 11:41  Ac 2:44-46  Ga 2:10 

以斯帖記 9:23-9:23

註釋:

  23 

以斯帖記 9:24-9:24

註釋:

 * the enemy.
  10  3:5-13 
 * 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.

  3:7 
 * consume.  Heb. crush.

以斯帖記 9:25-9:25

註釋:

 * when Esther came.  Heb. when she came.
  13,14  7:5-10  8:1-14 
 * return.
  Ps 7:16  109:17,18  140:9  141:10  Mt 21:44 

以斯帖記 9:26-9:26

註釋:

 * they called.
  Nu 16:40  Eze 39:11 
 * Pur.  that is, Lot.  letter.
  20 

以斯帖記 9:27-9:27

註釋:

 * and upon their seed.
  De 5:3  29:14,15  Jos 9:15  1Sa 30:25  2Sa 21:1,2 
 * all such.
  8:17  Isa 56:3,6  Zec 2:11  8:23 
 * fail.  Heb. pass.

以斯帖記 9:28-9:28

註釋:

 * remembered.
  Ex 12:17  Ps 78:5-7  103:2 
 * fail.  Heb. pass.  the memorial.
  Ex 13:8,9  Jos 4:7  Zec 6:14 
 * perish from their seed.  Heb. be ended from their seed.

以斯帖記 9:29-9:29

註釋:

 * the daughter of Abihail.
  3:15 
 * authority.  Heb. strength.  confirm.
  20  8:10 

以斯帖記 9:30-9:30

註釋:

 * the hundred.
  1:1  8:9 
 * words of peace.
  Isa 39:8  Zec 8:19 

以斯帖記 9:31-9:31

註釋:

 * themselves.  Heb. their souls.  and for their seed.
  27 
 * the fastings.
  4:3,16  Jon 3:2-9 

以斯帖記 9:32-9:32

註釋:

  32 

以斯帖記 10:1-10:1

註釋:

  1;  Ahasuerus' greatness.
  3;  Mordecai's advancement.

 * laid a tribute.
  1:1  8:9  Lu 2:1 
 * the isles.
  Ge 10:5  Ps 72:10  Isa 24:15  Da 11:18 

以斯帖記 10:2-10:2

註釋:

 * all the acts.
  1Ki 11:41  22:39 
 * advanced him.  Heb. made him great.
  8:15  9:4  Ps 18:35  Da 2:48 
 * in the book.
  2:23  6:1  1Ki 14:19 
 * 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.
   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.

以斯帖記 10:3-10:3

註釋:

error in strong number parsing >
 'Ect(8872) <See definition 0635>,] megillath Esther, "the volume
 of Esther."  Concerning its author there are various opinions:
 some attribute it to Ezra; some to Joachim, the son of Joshua
 the high priest; others to the men of the great synagogue; and
 others to Mordecai, which seems the most probable opinion.  The
 events here related probably refer to the time of Artaxerxes
 Longimanus, who, according to Prideaux, was the Ahasuerus of
 Esther, agreeably to Josephus, (Ant. 1; xi. c.  6,) the
 Septuagint version, and the apocryphal additions to this book.
 The history, therefore, comes in between the sixth and seventh
 chapters of Ezra, commencing about A.M. 3540, and continuing
 through a period of twelve years:  it relates the royal feast of
 Ahasuerus; the disgrace of Vashti, (ch. 1:;) the elevation of
 Esther to the Persian throne; the essential service rendered to
 the king by Mordecai, in detecting a plot against his life, (ch.
 2:;) the promotion of Haman, and his purposed destruction of the
 Jews, (ch. 3:;) the consequent affliction of the Jews, and the
 measures pursued by them, (ch. 4:;) the defeat of Haman's plot,
 through the instrumentality of Esther, against Mordecai, (ch.
 5:-7:;) and also the defeat of his general plot against the
 Jews, (ch. 8:; 9:1-15;) the institution of the feast of Purim to
 commemorate this deliverance, (ch. 9:16-32;) and the advancement
 of Mordecai, (ch. 10:;) and though some Christians have
 hesitated to receive this book into the sacred canon, yet it has
 always been received by the Jews, not only as perfectly
 authentic, but also as one of the most excellent of their sacred
 books.  That it is a genuine and faithful description of a real
 fact, the observation of the feast of Purim, to the present day,
 is a sufficient evidence; since it is impossible, and in fact
 inconceivable, that a nation should institute, and afterwards
 continue to celebrate without interruption, through every
 generation of that people, in a long succession of ages, in
 whatever places they may have sojourned, this solemn annual
 festival, merely because one of their nation had written an
 agreeable fable or romance.  It has been remarked, as an
 objection to this book, that the name of God no where occurs in
 it:  His superintending providence, however, is frequently
 illustrated.  It is shewn, indeed, in every part of the work;
 disconcerting evil designs, and producing great events, by means
 seemingly inadequate.  It also presents an interesting
 description of mortified pride, and of malice baffled to the
 destruction of its possessors; and exhibits a very lively
 representation of the vexations and troubles, the anxieties,
 treachery, and dissimulation of a corrupt court.