Observations Upon the Old Testament, Commentary · Esther
Esther.
THE Book of Esther contains an History of nine years, expressed in the reigne of Ahasuerus; viz. the third of Ahasuerus, chap. I. 3. the seventh, chap. II. 16. and the twelfth, chap. III. 7. In which twelfth year are mentioned the first monethmonth, chap. III. 7, 12. the third monethmonth, chap. VIII. ver. 9. and the twelfth monethmonth, chap. III. 7. 13. and chap. VIII. 12. and chap. IX. 1, 13, 14, 15, 17, 21. And some more years in his reigne afterwards are noted indefinitely, chap. X.
In this Book only of all the Scripture, there is no mention made of God, nor his Name once used. The Book of Canticles speaking much of Christ the Bridegroom.
Ahasuerus] Heb. chapter I verse 1 Ahasuerosh. It is doubted which of the Persian Monarchs this was. The LXX. still name him in their Translation Artaxerxes. Others take him to be Xerxes. Others fix their several fancies upon sundry others of the Persian Monarchs. But the greatest probability is for Darius Hystaspis; who first extended the bounds of that Empire so farre and wide, and over so many Provinces; and married Atossa the daughter of Cyrus, called Vasthi, ver. 9, who was the third King of Persia; omitting Darius the Mede, before Cyrus; and the Magus Smerdis, not worthy the reckoning; and was next before Xerxes, that fourth and rich King, Dan. XI. 2. See the Observations on Esther II. 5. This Ahasuerus in his third year makes that Imperial Feast of one hundred eighty seven dayes; And therein that good Law for drinking, as most take it; And at the end of it, he deposeth Vashti, by the learned thought to be the daughter of Cyrus, chap. 1. In his fourth year Haggai, and Zechariah do prophesie: In his sixth year the Temple is built: In his seventh year, chap. II. 16, 17. he marries Esther. After promotes Haman; And in his twelfth year hangs him, chap. III. 7. and VII. 10. And about his twenty sixth year he imposeth that tribute, chap. X. as Historians do accompt.
Shushan] The chief Citie of the Assyrian Empire was Nineve: verse 2 of the Babylonian, Babylon: of the Persian, Shushan, and Ecbatana: of the Grecian, divers; as the divisions of it were: of the Romane, Rome. Of Shushan, see more on Neh. I. 1.
according to the Law, verse 8 none did compel] Compel; or restraine rather. For so a learned Divine renders the word, and sense of the place; That the drinking was according to the Kings Law, not of the Kingdome, but of all the Officers of his house; or that the Officers should give them royal wine, such as the King himself used, and that in abundance, according to the state of the King when now in this Feast the Kings purpose was to shew the riches of his glorious Kingdome, and the honour of his excellent Majesty; that none therefore of his officers should restraine, inhibit, or hinder it, but give to every one of the guests freely and bountifully what wine, and as much, and as often as he desired; that as no restraint, so no complaint should be to the contrary.
a feast] The greatnesse of his Empire was, verse 3,—9. ver. 1. and is also Ch. VIII. 9. See that, Dan. VI. 1. Here is the greatnesse of his Feast; and chap. II. 18. And great was his riotous luxury in the Purification of the Virgins, chap. II. 12.
beds] Beds whereon they feasted; verse 6 after the maner of those ancient times. See chap. VII. 8. Beds, i. e. bedsteads of gold and silver. And Amos VI. 4. Beds of Ivory. Those for cost and beauty. That of Ogs, Deut. III. 1…. for largenesse.
On the seventh day] On the seventh day of that Feast, verse 10 ver. 5.
refused] Shee might have made some fair excuse: verse 12 and not seeme in this sort to despise her husband, ver. 17.
his anger burn] See the Annotations on Dan. III. 19.
wise men] Wise men in State affairs, verse 13 in policie, and experience, in prudence and knowledge; and so of great place and accompt, ver. 14. Such are Kings Counsellors. Such as those, Ezra VII. 14. and 1 Chron. XII. 32. men gathering wisdome by observation of times and seasons, for passages of State, in ages past and present: and so the ablest to give counsel and judgement, the fittest for wise plots and projects. Such were still of great use in all Nations. We finde mention of wise men, chap. VI. 13. Esay XIX. 11, 12. and XXIX. 14. Jer. X. 7. and chap. L. 35. Matth. II. 1. And such a great Polititian, a man expert in State-skill; was Achitophel in his time, 2 Sam. XVI. 23. and Jonathan, 1 Chr. XXVII. 32. and others, ver. 34. Of such we read, Prov. XV. 22. Esay I. 26. and chap. III. 3. Micah IV. 9.
according to Law] Thus he keeps close to the Law, verse 15 and that laudable maner, ver. 13. notwithstanding his burning anger.
deed of the Queen] Examples have in them a kinde of foreign; verse 17 And magnates, men, or women, are in a sort magnetes, loadstones, by their example to dray on others.
among the Lawes] Irrevocable, chapter II verse 19 chap. VIII. verse 2 8. Dan. VI. 8, 12, 15.
Let there be] To divert his minde from Vasthi; and to prevent displeasure from him, and her, against those who any wise did counsel and animate him against her, if he should repent, and she be restored to favour. See Dan. VI. 24.
to the house of the women] Ver. 14. verse 3 Mention is made of a second house; for the Concubines: Hege, or Hegai, ver. 8. the Keeper of the first: Shaahgaz, the Keeper of the second, ver. 14.
purification] ver. 12.
Mordecai] This might well be that Mordecai, verse 5 which came up with Zerubbabel, Ezra II. 2. And evinceth this Ahasuerus to be Darius Hystaspides; and not Xerxes, or Artaxerxes; because he and not Kish, was the man that was carried captive with Jechoniah, ver. 6. And so he lived above sixty years in the Captivity; two years under Darius Medus; seven under Cyrus; seven under Cambyses; one under Smerdis; twelve under Darius Hystaspis, when Haman conspired against the Jewes, chap. III. 7. And so he was eighty nine years old at that time; besides the age that he was of, when he was carried away captive; and the time that he lived after that conspiracy. All which may well stand together. But if by Ahasuerus be meant Xerxes, then instead of those eighty nine, we must reckon one hundred thirty five, that is, adding to them twenty four more of Darius Hystaspis, and twelve of Xerxes: which, together with his age before his captivity; and after the said conspiracy, intimated chap. X. would make him out-live the age of men in that age of the world.
Hadassah] Not the same with Atossa or Vashti who was the daughter of Cyrus; verse 7 though the Greek Historians seeme to take Atossa for Esther: But this Hadassa is Esther: called so, as may seeme from the Myrtle-tree, dedicated by the Paynims to Venus; or from foreign, the Star of Venus.
his Uncles daughter] So Mordecai and Esther were cosen-germans, brothers-children.
best of the house] Best places and roomes in that house. verse 9
twelve moneths] Many were purifying together. verse 12
the turne] Which was in the fourth year since Vasthi was put away; verse 15 and in the seventh year of the Kings reigne. She was taken into the house a year before.
Tebeth] The Jewes after their returne from the Babylonish captivity used the Chaldee and Persian names of moneths. verse 16 To this Tebeth our December, our tenth monethmonth, most what answereth; they beginning the year at the vernal equinoctial.
Queene] The year after the Temple was finished, verse 17 Ezra VI. 15.
the second time] To what ends then gathered, chapter III verse 19 it is not expressed. verse 1
the Agagite] Ver. 10. Likely of the royal stock of Agag: but sure an Amalakite. Of whom see Exod. XVII. 14, 16. Num. XXIV. 7, 20. Deut. XXV. 17, 19. 1 Sam. XV. 2, 3, 8. Ever bitter enemies to the Jewes, ver. 10. See the Annotations on this text.
King had so commanded] Commanded more then ordinary bowing and reverence; verse 2 for to other no command had been needful: This sure was extraordinary, such or such like as was used to the Kings of Persia themselves, more then was fit for any mortal man to have, a kinde of Divine reverence and worship, which made some Heathen men themselves, as Conon the Athenian, not to yeeld unto it.
bowed not] In that sort. His pious spirit would not stoop to it, could not brook it: And the rather because Haman was of that cursed stock, which God would have rooted out for their bitter emnity against the Jews. Yet Mordecai's humility appears in returning to the Kings gate, his ordinary standing and calling, presently after his so high advancement in chap. VI. 6,—12.
had told them that he was a Jew] This he did to satisfie them, verse 4 and justifie himself; which shewed the true cause of his refusal; and moved Haman to such wrath.
all the Jewes] Wrath raging, verse 6 and unmeasurable: the rather out of his inveterate hatred against all Jewes.
Nisan] Nisan is the Chaldee name, And Abib the Hebrew name, verse 7 of the first monethmonth; whereunto our March doth mostwhat answer. In which monethmonth the Lots were cast that shewed Adar the twelfth monethmonth, to be the luckie monethmonth for executing that bloody Decree. The Commandment for which bloody butchery, was issued forth on the thirteenth day of the foresaid Nisan, chap. III. 12.
from monethmonth to monethmonth] All this was or might be done in one day.
Adar] Whereunto our February mostwhat answereth; as beginning on the eleventh day of our monethmonth.
scattered abroad] Not into Babylon only, verse 8 but also into Persia, and all the many Provinces of it: And there remained behinde after the Proclamation of Cyrus, and the Returne made with Zerubbabel, Ezra II. Amighty scattering, though this comprehend the ten Tribes also; And a shameful neglect of the Jewes, in not Returning.
to suffer them] Lest they infect and infest the Kings good subjects.
I will pay] The Jewes paid great tributes to the King. verse 9 In recompence of that losse, if they were destroyed, Haman would pay this great summe
Ten thousand Talents] The ten thousand Talents, at three hundred seventy five pound the Talent, comes to 3750000. See Observations on Eoxd XXXVIII. 24.
to the hands] Of the Kings treasurers.
his Ring] See chap. verse 10 VIII. 2, 8. Gen. XLI. 42. Luke XV. 22. 1 King. XXI. 8. Dan. VI. 17.
given unto thee] The grace of Favourites. verse 11
first monethmonth] All haste used. verse 12 Malice expedites mischief.
young and old] Monstrous cruelty. verse 13
twelfth monethmonth] Delayed so long, because of the lot, ver. 7. else folly in Haman to have made so long a delay. Gods Providence seene in ordering the lot so as there might be so long a time between the decree and the execution, for the using of means to prevent it.
for a prey] To encourage the enemies and murderers. Which prey the Jewes, in their case, punctualy abstained from, chap. 8. 11. and ch. IX. 10, 15, 16.
sent raiment] That he might be fit to come into the Court, chapter IV verse 4 ver. 2. and unto her.
who is not called] This custome and law was partly for state and honour, verse 11 partly for safety and security. Some had a general calling and licence by their places and offices about the King: but this extended not to the Queen her self.
deliverance arise] Mordecai's faith and confidence. verse 14
but thou] Mordecai's peremptorinesse with Esther in such a case of extremity, ver. 13. And assuring her of certain danger and destruction from God, if she insisted on pretended danger from the King.
three dayes, verse 16 night or day] Of Fasting, see the Annotations on Joel I. 14. This length of time might be endured in that hot Countrey; and in a case of such extremity: yet see chap. V. 1. Haman might well know of the Jewes fasting and mourning in Shushan: But not of this of Esthers and her maids.
likewise] But not three whole dayes, chap. V. 1.
and if I perish] She might suspect her countenance lesse beautiful upon her Fasting; and remember the Kings rigor against Vasthi: yet this is her pious resolution. See Gen. XLIII. 14.
on the third day] chapter V verse 1 Whiles they in Shushan continued the Fast.
his royal throne] She takes the time, when most likely she might finde the King, and have accesse.
half of the Kingdome] Again, verse 3 ver. 6. and chap. VII. 2. So Herod, Mark VI. 23. a kinde of Proverbial speech; not literaly to be taken.
the King and Haman] Both together, verse 4 that she might accuse him face to face before the King; and so prevent delayes, or mediations.
to morrow] Gods secret and over-ruling hand of Providence herein. verse 8
nor moved for him] It seemes lesse respect used now then before; verse 9 else Haman belies him. And hither Mordecai comes, now without sackcloth, on the third day of the Feast; upon just causes no doubt.
of fifty Cubits high] Monstrous high; verse 14 and suddenly erected.
on that night] Gods wondrous Providence. chapter VI verse 1 See the like 1 Sam. XXIII. 27. 1 Kings XXII. 34. Seene, as in Esthers putting off her Petition to the next day; so here; in his ordering the Kings waking; and hearing the Chronicles read, That so the advancement of Mordecai might intervene. Of Gods Providence, see in the four living Wights, and in the Wheeles, Ezek. I. 5,—25. and X. 12.
read] Likely reading to one in bed makes him sleep the sooner.
to Mordecai the Jew] So that the King knew Mordecai to be a Jew; verse 10 and could not forget his Grant to Haman against them; and yet thus honours him.
nothing fail] Yet the Crowne is not mentioned, verse 11 ver. 11.
Then took Haman] Without any replies, excuses, or objections made.
begun to fall] One Favourite falls at the rising of another. verse 13
yet talking] High time it was considering the businesse already past on that day. verse 14
could not countervaile the Kings damage] chapter VII verse 4 The Jewes were many wayes very advantagious to the Persian Monarchs; as the Israelites were to Pharaoh in Egypt.
upon the bed] For the banquet, verse 8 chap. I. 6.
will he force] Likely Haman might clasp her feet in his hands, to shew the earnestnesse of his Petition for his life, that he would not let her go without granting him some favour. See 2 Kings IV. 27. Matth. XXVIII. 9.
covered Hamans face] See Job IX. 24. 2 Sam. XV. 30. Ezek. XII. 6, 12. as unworthy to see the Kings face, verse 9 or to be seene himself.
hang] The Kings word in those dayes was warrant enough.
pacified] He was not sorry for it afterwards.
On that day] chapter VIII verse 1 The very same day wherein the things in the former Chapter were done.
the house] And his estate, as escheated to the King.
came before the King] As one of those, chap. I. 14.
had told] And so the Kings kinsmanby marriage.
Esther spake yet again] Esthers zealous care for the safety of Gods people the Jewes still appears, verse 3 after Hamans hanging, and Mordecai's advancement, in the seconding of her Petition on their behalf, with kneeling, and tears, formerly not mentioned to be used by her to the King.
golden Scepter] She ventures again to go in uncalled, verse 4 for her peoples sake. See chap. IV. 11. and chap. V. 2.
write ye] This is another way. verse 8 For the former Decree could not be reverst, nor this new one being sealed with the Kings Seal. See Ch. I. 19.
third monethmonth] Two moneths, and ten dayes after Hamans Decree; verse 9 chap. III. 12. The Lots were cast in the first monethmonth, and twelfth year of Ahasuerus, chap. III. 7. And the Decree issued out the thirteenth day of that monethmonth, ver. 12. And did stretch even to the Jews in Jury, ver. 6, 8, 13. And the execution of it was to be on the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth monethmonth following. But the Edict on their behalf issued forth on the twenty third day of the third monethmonth Sivan, i. e. two moneths and ten dayes, after Hamans bloody Edict.
Sivan] Whereunto our May most answereth.
and unto the Jewes] Whom it so much concerned.
crown of gold] See chap. verse 15 VI. 8.
became Jewes] Proselytes, verse 17 turned to their Religion.
as sought their hurt] As assaulted them; chapter IX verse 2 so as they were on the defensive part, and stood for their lives, chap. VIII. 11. and chap. IX. 16.
smote all their enemies] Wonder that they durst rise against the Jewes, verse 5 considering the minde and power of the King, and Queen, and Mordecai for them; see ver. 3.
in Shushan] These likely of Hamans faction; verse 6 eager set to revenge his death and downfal.
to do tomorrow] It may be necessity to preserve the lives of the Jewes in Shushan, verse 13 against such as might seek an opportunity hereafter, to revenge the blood of Haman, his sonnes, and others that were slaine, might move her to this Petition; so to rid their hands of all their enemies.
75000] It argues a great height of malice against the Jewes, verse 16 That Hamans ten sonnes, and others in Shushan, even on a second day; and so many in all the Kings Provinces, durst so assault the Jewes, that in their own defence they killed in all seventy five thousand eight hundred, likely most Amalekites; considering the Kings Edict for the Jewes, and the power of the Queene, and Mordecai, with the King, as hath been said: yet the Jewes laid not their hands on the prey and spoile, though granted to them by the King chap. VIII. 11. chap. IX. 10, 15, 16. to shew they did it not for covetousnesse; but to preserve their own lives.
Mordecai wrote] Some extend this to the whole Book: verse 20 but more likely it relates to the point of Deliverance and ordaining the Feasts, ver. XXIII. 29. And herein the power of the Church is seene in Ordaining set annual Feasts, ver. 27. 29, 31. And so for Fasts, Zech. VII.
Purim] i. e. Lots. verse 26 Of Lots, see the Annotations on Jonah I. 7.
the matters of the fastings, verse 31 and their cry] The occasions that were given of their fastings, and cries, by which they obtained such a blessing. Some take this as a part of the Ordinance and Decree, to fast on the thirteenth day: And alledge for it the practise of the Jewes to this day.
in the Book] Some publick record. verse 32
a tribute] We read of a release, chapter X verse 1 chap. II. 18. whether the Jewes, by Mordecai's means were released of this Tribute, the Scripture expresseth not.