Bible Commentaries

On that day. Contrast "On that night", Esther 6:1.

the Jews" enemy. See note on Esther 3:10.

gave it unto Mordecai. Compare Esther 3:10. Note how God honoured godly Jews in foreign courts: Joseph next to Pharaoh; Moses the heir to the throne of Egypt; Daniel next to Darius in Babylon; Mordecai next to Astyages in Shushan.

over the house of Hainan. Wonderful retribution.

mischief. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44. Same word as "evil", Esther 7:7.

Haman the Agagite. See notes on Esther 2:5 with Esther 3:1.

If it please the king. Note the Alternation in this verse: The king. "If it please the king. "Esther. "And if I have found favour. "The king. "And . . . before the king. "Esther. "And I be pleasing in his eyes. "

the Jews. Some codices, with Aram, and Syriac, read "all the Jews".

evil. Same word as "mischief", Esther 8:3.

gallows. See note on Esther 5:14.

liketh = pleaseth. Compare Esther 3:11.

may no man reverse. But Compare Esther 3:12, and see App-23.

commanded unto = charged. Hebrew. zavah. See note on "law", Esther 3:2.

posts on horseback = couriers on horseback. Haman's "posts" were runners on foot (Esther 3:13, Esther 3:15), hut speed was now essential. See Esther 9:1.

their life = themselves. Hebrew. nephesh.

destroy . . . slay . . . perish. Figure of speech Synonymia, for emphasis. See note on Esther 3:13.

power = force. Hebrew. hayil, as in Esther 1:3. Not shalat = mastery, as in Esther 9:1; or tokeph = authority, as in Esther 9:29.

little ones. These were spared, notwithstanding. Compare Esther 9:6.

thirteenth. See note on Esther 3:12.

a commandment = an imperial decree.

people = the peoples.

hastened. Hebrew. bahal. See note on Esther 6:10.

commandment = word. Hebrew. dabar. See note on Esther 1:12.

decree. See note on Esther 2:8.

light. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for joy.

became Jews = made common cause with the Jews.