Bible Commentaries

thirteenth. See note on Esther 3:12.

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

decree. Hebrew. dath. See note on Esther 2:8.

power = mastery. See note on Esther 8:11.

though, &c. Note the Parenthesis.

the Jews = the Jews themselves.

withstand = stand before.

people = the peoples.

Mordecai = the man (Hebrew. "ish. App-14.) Mordecai, greatly emphasizing the person. Compare Numbers 12:3. 1 Kings 11:28. Daniel 9:21.

sword . . . slaughter . . . destruction. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia, for emphasis.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6.

destroyed, &c. Note that they took no advantage of the permission given in Esther 8:11.

And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: Esther 9:7-9, particularizing each one of Haman's ten sons.

The ten sons. In all Hebrew manuscripts and printed editions these ten names are written with the word veeth, being the demonstrative pronoun = self, or this same, or himself, thus: veeth Parshandatha, veeth Dalphon, veeth Aspatha, veeth Poratha, veeth Adalia, veeth Aridatha, veth Parmashta, veeth Arisai, veeth Aridai, veeth Vajezatha. It has been suggested that it is because they were hanged one above another. But, as each Hebrew character is a number as well as a letter, the numerical value of these names (regarded as an addition sum) amounts to 10,244, or 13 x 788; while Haman the Agagite = 117 (13x9), and Zeresh = 507 (13x39), and the whole family = 10,868 (13x836). See App-10for the significance of this. On the other hand, "Eth-Hadassah hi" (Esther 2:7) adds up 1,152 = 8x122, and "Mordecai", son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjarnite (Esther 2:5), adds up 1,912 = (8 x 239). See App-10.

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

Slew they. See note on "Benjamite" (Esther 2:5).

laid they not their hand. Compare note on "take the spoil" (Esther 3:13). They probably remembered taking the spoil instead of obeying in 1Sa 15. Hence the emphasis on this in verses: Esther 9:10, Esther 9:15, Esther 9:16.

let Hainan's ten sons be hanged. One of the ten deaths occasioned or obtained by women. See note on Judges 4:21.

be hanged Not alive, but hanged up after death. They were slain in conflict first. See verses: Esther 9:6, Esther 9:7.

commanded. Hebrew. "amar. See note on Esther 1:10.

their lives = themselves Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

had rest from. Dr. Ginsburg thinks the Hebrew should read "to avenge themselves upon". Compare Esther 8:13.

stablish = ordain. Hebrew. kum, as in verses: Esther 9:29, Esther 9:31.

device, which he devised = his great device. Figure of speech Polyptoton.

Purim = lots. The name of the feast to this day.

Pur. See note on Esther 3:7.

ordained. Hebrew. kum, as in verses: Esther 9:21, Esther 9:31.

should not fail. This sounds like a prophecy, and sets a seal on the inspiration of the book.

perish = come to an end. See note on Esther 3:13.

the daughter of Abihail. See Esther 2:15.

confirm. Hebrew. kum, as in verses: Esther 9:21, Esther 9:31.

hundred, &c. See note on Esther 1:1.

enjoined = ordained. Hebrew. kum.

as = according as.

decreed = ordained. Hebrew. kum, as in verses: Esther 9:27, Esther 9:29, Esther 9:31.

decree = command. Hebrew. ma"amar. Occurs only in Esther (Esther 1:15).