THE BOOK OF ESTHER. INTRODUCTION. THIS book is in the Hebrew styled "the Volume of Esther" it was received into the Jewish canon with particular veneration; and esteemed above many of the prophetick books, probably because therein are described the origin and ceremonies of the feast of Purim. It is called the book of Esther, because it contains the history of this Jewish captive, who, by her remarkable accomplishments, gained the affections of Ahasuerus; and by a marriage with him was raised to the throne of Persia. The author of the book is not certainly known. Some of the fathers suppose it to have been written by Ezra; others contend that it was composed by Joachim, high priest of the Jews, and grandson of Josedech. The Talmudists attribute it to the joint labours of the great synagogue which succeeded Ezra in the superintendence of the canon of Scripture. The 20th verse of the 9th chapter of the book has led others to believe that Mordecai was the author; but what is there related to have been written by him, seems only to refer to the circular letter which he distributed. There are, lastly, other writers, who maintain that the book was the production of Esther's and Mordecai's united industry; and probably they may have communicated an account of events so interesting to the whole nation to the great synagogue at Jerusalem, some of the members of which may with great reason be supposed to have digested the information thus received into its present form. We have, however, no sufficient evidence to determine, nor is it, perhaps, of much importance to ascertain precisely, who was the author: but that the book contains a genuine and faithful description of what did actually happen, is certain, not only from its admission into the canon, but also from the institution of the feast of Purim, which from its first establishment has been regularly observed as an annual solemnity, on the 14th and 15th of the month Adar, in commemoration of the great deliverance which Esther, by her interest, had procured; and which is even now celebrated among the Jews with many peculiar ceremonies, and with rejoicings even to intoxication. This festival was called Purim, or the feast of lots, (Pur in the Persian language signifying a lot,) from the events mentioned in chap. iii. 7; ix. 24. The book describes the advancement of Esther; who, by the interest which she conciliated with Ahasuerus, delivered the Jews from a great destruction which had been contrived for them by Haman, an insolent favourite of the king. It presents an interesting description of mortified pride, and of malice baffled to the destruction of its contrivers. It likewise exhibits a very lively representation of the vexations and troubles, of the anxieties, treachery, and dissimulation of a corrupt court. The manners are painted with great force and fidelity; and the vicissitudes and characters are displayed with dramatick effect. The author seems to have been so intimately acquainted with the Persian customs, that some have conceived a notion that he transcribed his work from the Persian chronicles. It has been remarked, that the name of God is not mentioned throughout the book; his superintendent Providence is however frequently illustrated; it is shewn, indeed, in every part of the work, disconcerting evil designs, and producing great events by means seemingly inadequate. Dr. Gray. Respecting the time when the events recorded in this history took place, there has been great difference of opinion among learned men. We are told chap. i. 1, that the events happened in the reign of Ahasuerus king of Persia, who "reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over 127 provinces:" and this extent of dominion plainly proves that he was one of the successors of Cyrus; but it is by no means agreed who is the person here meant by Ahasuerus, a name which does not occur in profane history. Archbishop Usher supposes that by Ahasuerus is meant Darius Hystaspes, who began to reign B. C. 521; and agreeably to this supposition, the dates of the several events are given in the margin of our Bibles. Scaliger contends that Xerxes is meant; and various authors of high authority maintain that Artaxerxes Longimanus, who began to reign B. C. 464, is the Ahasuerus here mentioned. "In my judgment Dean Prideaux has very satisfactorily shewn that by Ahasuerus we are to understand Artaxerxes Longimanus. Josephus also considered Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes to be the same person; and we may observe that Ahasuerus is always translated Artaxerxes in the Greek version, and he is called by that name in the Apocryphal part of the book of Esther. Upon these authorities, I place the commencement of this history about the year B. C. 460, and it continues through a space not exceeding twenty years." Bp. Tomline. Before CHRIST about 521. CHAP. I. 1 Ahasuerus maketh royal feast. 10 Vashti, Chap. I. ver. 1. of Ahasuerus,] See the Introduction. – which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia,] We Before CHRIST in the days it came to pass NOW Now of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus about 521. which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces :) are informed by Herodotus, that Darius conquered India; and there might be the number of provinces here mentioned between that country and “Ethiopia,” 3 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: Vashti, sent for, refuseth to come. wine in abundance, † according to the Before CHRIST about 519. + Heb. the hand of 8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so according to the king had appointed to all the offi- the king. cers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. 9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. 4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, 10 On the seventh day, when the even an hundred and fourscore days.heart of the king was merry with 5 And when these days were ex- wine, he commanded Mehuman, pired, the king made a feast unto all Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abag+ Heb. found. the people that were present in tha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven Shushan the palace, both unto great || chamberlains that served in the pre- # Or, and small, seven days, in the court of sence of Ahasuerus the king, the garden of the king's palace; 6 Where were white, green, and Or, violet. || blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement porphyre, and of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. || Or, of marble, and alabaster, and stone of blue colour. 7 And they gave them drink in + Heb. wine vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and † royal of the kingdom. whether we understand by Ethiopia the country near Arabia, or that beyond Egypt. Bp. Patrick. See note at Numb. xii. 1. 2.sat on the throne of his kingdom,] These words imply that he enjoyed peace and quietness throughout his kingdom. Bp. Patrick. in Shushan the palace,] See note at Neh. i. 1. 3.. the power of Persia and Media,] The men in power (as we now speak) of Persia and Media "being before him." 6. Where were white, green, and blue, hangings,] At Aleppo, at present, hangings are never employed, except in the winter on some occasions, to cover the side of a room, when the windows are too much exposed to the cold winds. The hangings mentioned in this passage were probably not the hangings above, but curtains dividing the court of the garden into different booths; for the guests entertained were of different ranks. Har mer. ·upon a pavement of red, and blue, &c.— marble.] Dr. Russell says, that they pave their courts at Aleppo with marble, and oftentimes with a mixture of yellow and white, red and black, by way of ornament. In the middle of the court there is very commonly a fountain, and a kind of little garden about it, which in that climate must be peculiarly agreeable. This may be explanatory of the words "court of the garden" at ver. 5. Harmer. eunuchs. 11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was † fair to look + Heb. good of on. countenance. 12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment + by his chamberlains: therefore was + Heb. the king very wroth, and his anger by the hand of burned in him. 13 ¶ Then the king said to the which was his eunuchs. to preserve the peace and decorum of this solemnity, ordered that every one should have his full liberty, and drink as he pleased. Pyle. 9. - a feast for the women] The women do not eat with the men in the Eastern feasts: it is however usual for them to feast at the same time by themselves. Thus Maillet, after having given an account of the extraordinary feasting at the castle of Grand Cairo, upon the circumcision of the son of the bashaw of Egypt, tells us, that he was assured that the expense which was incurred at the same time in the apartments of the women of the bashaw, was not much less considerable than what appeared in publick; there being there the same liberalities, the same pleasures, the same abundance, and the same magnificence, that appeared out of those apartments. Harmer. As in former ages, so at present, it is the custom in the Eastern countries, at all their festivals and entertainments, for the men to be entertained in apartments separate from the women; nor the least intercourse or coinmunication being allowed on these occasions between the two sexes. Dr. Shaw. 11. To bring Vashti the queen &c.] We are assured by Herodotus that the Persians did, on festival occasions, produce their women in publick: he relates a story of seven Persians being sent to Amyntas, a Grecian prince, who received them hospitably, and gave them a splendid entertainment: when after the entertainment they began to drink, one of the Persians thus addressed Amyntas, " Prince of Macedonia, it is a cus 8. And the drinking was according to the law; &c.] The word "was" is not in the Hebrew; but the true translation seems to be, "The drinking according to custom with us Persians, whenever we have a publick entom none did compel," that is, the law or custom was to compel, but this was now superseded. It seems that, whereas it was customary amongst the Persians to urge one another to hard drinking, the emperour, the better tertainment, to introduce our concubines and young wives." On this principle Ahasuerus gave command to bring his queen Vashti into the publick assembly. Script. illust. Expos. Ind. The king putteth her away. Before CHRIST about 519. CHAP. 1, II. A new queen to be chosen. wise men, which knew the times, (for | 20 And when the king's decree so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: 14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memua Ezra 7. 14. can, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) + Heb. What to do. + Heb. If it be good with the king. Heb. from before him. 15+ What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? 16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. 19+ If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment + from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, + that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let Heb. unto the king give her royal estate + unto another that is better than she. it pass not away. her com panion. 13.. - wise men, which knew the times,] Men of judgment and knowledge in affairs, able to give advice for the fittest times and manner of performance of all actions. Bp. Hall. (for so was the king's manner &c.] It was his usual practice to consult with his counsellors who were skilled in the laws of their country, before he resolved on any measure. Dr. Wells. 14.—which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;] Who were his principal ministers, and were admitted into his presence, which was allowed only to the great men of the kingdom. In rank they were the first of all his subjects. The seven counsellors of the king are spoken of in Ezra vii. 14, as being his advisers in granting Ezra his authority. Bp. Patrick. 18. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.] Too much contempt in the wives and wrath in their husbands, which would cause great divisions and contentions in the several families of the kingdom. Bp. Patrick. Before CHRIST which he shall make shall be pub- about 519. lished throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. 21. — and the king did according to the word of Memucan:] The conduct of Ahasuerus with respect to queen Vashti, it must be recollected, was that of an heathen, acting under the influence of anger and intemperance. It is recorded in Scripture, not that it may be imitated or alleged as a pretence for sin, but that we may derive improvement by observing the events to which it led: his violent will, although apparently ungoverned, being nevertheless so directed by Providence, that it brought foward the remarkable preservation of the Jews, which forms the chief subject of this book. Bp. Hall. Before +unto the custody of || Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: + Heb. unto the hand. || Or, Hegai, ver. 8. 15. Jer. 24. 1. 10. 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. 5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite ; a a 2 Kings 24. 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity 2 Chron. 36. which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. + Heb. nourished. + Heb. fair of form, and good of countenance. + Heb. her portions. + Heb. he changed her. 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was † fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 8 ¶ So it came to pass when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her things for purification, with + such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and the preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. 6. Who had been carried away] Meaning that Kish, the ancestor of Mordecai, had been carried way. Bp. Patrick. - with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah] Mordecai was a Jew descended from one of those who had been carried away captive with their king Jeconiah. At this time a multitude of Jews were living in the Eastern countries: a number comparatively small had returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. See Ezra ii. Pyle, Bp. Hall. 7. — Hadassah, that is, Esther,] Hadassah was her Jewish name; Esther her Persian name. Pyle. Zerubbabel, Daniel, and other Jews of captivity, in like manner bore two names. See the note on Ezra i. 8. The derivation of the Persian name Esther, and its meaning, are unknown. Dean Prideaux. 10. Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred :] Esther took care, by the advice of Mordecai, to conceal by Hegai before the rest. 10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. Before CHRIST 518. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, † to know how Esther did, and ↑ Heb. to what should become of her. maid's turn 12 Now when every was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women ;) 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house. 14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. know the peace. about 515. 15¶ Now when the turn of Esther, about 515. the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month her country and parentage, that she might not be subject to contempt on that account. Pyle. 11. And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, &c.] It is evident to every reader that the anxiety of Mordecai for Esther was extreme. But we cannot fully enter into the circumstance of his walking day after day, for a long period of time, probably upwards of a year, without recollecting the extreme vigilance with which the harems of the East are guarded. Sir J. Chardin says, "The place, where the women are shut up, is sacred, especially among persons of condition; and it is a crime for any person whatever to be inquiring what passes within those walls." "A man may walk an hundred days one after another by the house where the women are, and yet know no more what is done therein, than at the farther end of Tartary." This may account for the conduct of Mordecai, who "walked every day before the court of the women's Tebeth, in the seventh year of his about 515. reign. 17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the before him. royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. 1 Or, kindness. ↑ Heb. about 514. 18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he + Hleb. rest. made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. 19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. 20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like house," to pick up any intelligence that might chance to come within his cognizance, respecting his niece. Script, illust. Expos. Ind. 17. And the king loved Esther above all &c.] Providence determined the choice of Ahasuerus in favour of one who should be afterward an instrument of preserving his people in a time of imminent danger. The same Divine wisdom had formerly provided for the welfare of his chosen race, by sending Joseph before them into Egypt, and making him lord of all Egypt, that he might save the lives of his brethren in a season of famine, Gen. xlv. 7. Bp. Hall, Collyer. so that he set the royal crown upon her head, &c.] It always has been, and still is, the custom of the kings of Abyssinia to marry what number of wives they choose: these are not therefore all queens; but among them there is one, who is considered particularly as queen, and upon her head is placed the crown, and she is called the Iteghe. Thus, in Persia, we read that Ahasuerus loved Esther, who had found grace in his sight more than the other virgins, and he placed a golden crown upon her head. And Josephus informs us, that when Esther was brought before the king, he was exceedingly delighted with her, and made her his lawful wife, and, when she came into the palace, he put a crown upon her head. Bruce. 18. Then the king made a great feast &c.] The royal marriage was celebrated with magnificent entertainments; all the provinces were released from a certain portion of their taxes, in honour of the new empress, and vast presents were made to her, and to the court favourites. Pyle. 19. – when the virgins were gathered together the second time,] That is, at the time of this present marriage of Ahasuerus with Esther: Vashti having been also before chosen in the same manner from among the virgins gathered together out of different parts of his empire. Pyle, Dr. Wells. Mordecai sat in the king's gate.] Mordecai was an officer in the court of Ahasuerus; his service called him daily to attend in the king's gate. Bp. Hall. It appears from several passages of Scripture, that the king's gate was the place in which publick affairs were transacted. Bp. Patrick. The Scripture says of Daniel, (after having stated that Nebuchadnezzar made him a VOL. I. Mordecai discovereth a treason. as when she was brought up with him. Before CHRIST 514. 21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, || Bigthan and Or Teresh, of those which kept the chap. 6. 2. door, were wroth, and sought to lay threshold. hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. CHAP. III. 1 Haman, advanced by the king, and despised by Mordecai, seeketh revenge upon all the Jews. 7 He casteth lots. 8 He obtaineth Bigthana, + Heb. the great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governours over all the wise men of Babylon,) that he "sat in the gate of the king." Dan. ii. 48, 49. Of the meaning of these words we have the following illustrations: "If we quit then the streets of these cities, and enter into any of the principal houses, we shall first pass through a porch or gateway, with benches on each side, where the master of the family receives visits and despatches his business; few persons, not even the nearest relation, having admission any farther, except upon extraordinary occasions.", Dr. Shaw. The square tower forming the principal entrance to the Alhambra, or Red Palace of the Moorish kings in Grenada, from its being the place where justice was summarily administered, was styled the Gate of Judgment. Parkhurst. 20. : -for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.] That mind is truly great and noble that is not changed with the highest prosperity and such was the disposition of queen Esther, whom even the splendour of royalty could not induce to disregard her kinsman and friend, or to depart from a dutiful observance of his directions. Bp. Hall. 22. And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther] Mordecai sets before us the example of a faithful subject, in counteracting the treasonable designs of these men: and it may be remarked, that he shewed this loyalty toward an heathen sovereign, and one under whom he lived as a captive, true religion and loyalty being inseparable; and that herein he exemplified the injunction of the Lord by the Prophet Jeremiah, "Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives," Jer. xxix. 7. Bp. Andrewes, Dr. Isaac Barrow. Mordecai discreetly communicated his discovery, not to indifferent persons, but to the queen: Esther, in laying it before the king, dutifully remembered Mordecai, and commended him to the royal favour, by mentioning him as the author of her information. Bp. Andrewes. 23.. and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.] Mordecai was thus registered in the public annals, as the author of this service done to the crown: the circumstance of his name being so recorded, 3 S |