Bible Commentary

So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told [it] her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received [it] not. 4 17. Esther’s grief and the communications between her and Mordecai 4. came and told it her ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 4:4”

And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, [there was] great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 3. many lay in sackcloth and ashes ] lit. sackcloth and ashes were spread under many. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 4:3”

And came even before the king’s gate: for none [might] enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 2. and he came even before the king’s gate ] either as being his usual place of resort, or with the hope that in this time of distress he might have some chance of communication with Esther, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 4:2”

When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 1. rent his clothes ] So e.g. Reuben, when his brother Joseph was sold to the Midianites (Gen 37:29), and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 4:1”

The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed. 15. went forth in haste ] Haman fearing lest the king should change his mind and forbid the decree to be … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 3:15”

The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. 14. A copy ] The word in the original is of Persian origin, and occurs again in Est 4:8, Est 8:13. that the decree should be given out … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 3:14”

And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, [even] upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and [to take] the spoil of them … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 3:13”

Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that [were] over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and [to] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 3:12”

And the king said unto Haman, The silver [is] given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. 11. In the East, confiscation of goods is the invariable accompaniment of capital punishment, and they are forfeited to the crown. At first sight the words seem to mean that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 3:11”

And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. 10. his ring ] The possession of the king’s signet ring gave the holder full power to issue edicts in his name, since the sealing of them with his signet gave them … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 3:10”