Bible Commentary

When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, [even] a hundred and fourscore days. 4. the riches etc. ] Herod. (vii. 27) tells of the golden plane tree and the golden vine given by Pythius, a rich man of Celaenae, to Darius. Aeschylus ( Persae, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 1:4”

In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him: 3. in the third year of his reign ] probably b.c. 483. unto all his princes and his servants ] The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 1:3”

[That] in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which [was] in Shushan the palace, 2. Shushan the palace ] i.e. Susa. Ecbatana, Babylon, Persepolis, and Susa were all places of sojourn for the Persian court for longer or shorter periods. ‘Shushan the palace,’ which is to be distinguished … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 1:2”

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this [is] Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, [over] a hundred and seven and twenty provinces: ) Chap. Est 1:1-9. The great feast given by Ahasuerus at Susa 1. Now it came to pass ] Heb. And it came to pass. ‘And’ is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 1:1”

And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. 31. and for the wood offering ] Cf. Neh 10:35. the firstfruits ] Cf. Neh 10:36-39. The special mention of these practical measures of reorganization perhaps implies that they remedied two principal causes of discontent and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 13:31”

Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; 30. Nehemiah Summarizes his Work under the heads of purification and organization cleansed I them ] i.e. the people of Israel. all strangers ] R.V. marg. ‘Or, every strange thing ’. LXX. ; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 13:30”

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. 29. Remember them ] Here in a bad sense. because they have defiled ] R.V. marg. ‘Heb. for the defilings of ’. The word so rendered occurs only here. It is from the same … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 13:29”

And [one] of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, [was] son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me. 28. one of the sons of Joiada ] We should gather that Eliashib the grandfather was still alive, since the emphasis lies on the relationship of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 13:28”

Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? 27. Shall we then hearken unto you ] The rendering is disputed. According to the English Version, the sense is, ‘are we to listen to your expostulations and entreaties, and permit this evil to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 13:27”

Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. 26. Solomon king of Israel ] An argument from the greater to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 13:26”