Verse 1

After these things: i.e. in 467. Astyages was now twenty-one. In the seventh year (Esther 2:16); one of these spent in preparations (Esther 2:12).

Ahasuerus. See note on Esther 1:1.

Vashti. See note on Esther 1:9.

Verse 2

virgins. Hebrew. bethulah. See note on Genesis 24:43.

Verse 3

custody = hand.

chamberlain = eunuch.

Verse 4

maiden = a young person. Hebrew. na"ar.

Verse 5

a certain Jew = a man (Hebrew. "ish. App-14.), a Jew. The contrast between Judah and Israel was lost in a strange land; and, as Nebuchadnezzar"s campaign was against Judah, so "Jew" became the name used by Gentiles.

Mordecai. Daniel and Ezekiel taken to Babylon (2 Kings 24:14, 2 Kings 24:15); Nehemiah and Mordecai to Shushan; and Mordecai dwelt in the royal palace, as did Daniel and others (Daniel 1:4. 2 Kings 20:16-18).

a Benjamite. Thus Mordecai, a Benjamite, ends Jehovah"s war against Amalek, Exodus 17:16. Compare Esther 3:1 with Esther 7:10; Esther 9:10. A work entrusted to Saul (a Benjarnite). 1 Samuel 15:2-33.

Verse 6

Jeconiah = Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24:6).

carried away. Compare 2 Kings 24:14, 2 Kings 24:15. Jeremiah 52:24-34:133 years before the generally received date (i.e. 598-465 = 133), which, therefore, cannot be correct. From the carrying away of Jeconiah to the marriage of Esther to Astyages in his seventh year was only twenty-two years (489-467). See App-50.

Verse 7

Hadassah = myrtle. Not living with Mordecai (who was in the palace, Esther 2:5), but brought up by him.

Esther = star. But Rabbi Yehudah derives it from sathar, to hide, because she was hidden in her guardian"s house; and her nationality also was concealed (Esther 2:10).

Verse 8

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

decree = Imperial decree. Hebrew. dath, as in Esther 3:15; Esther 4:3, Esther 4:8; Esther 8:14, Esther 8:17; Esther 9:1, Esther 9:13, Esther 9:14.

Verse 9

obtained = won.

preferred = promoted. Probably influenced by Mor-deoai.

Verse 10

not shewed. Not till Esther 7:3-5. This was Mordecai"s wisdom. Compare Esther 2:20.

Verse 11

to know. This was Mordecai"s solicitude. All this proves that these events must have taken place before the emancipation made by Cyras (the son of this Astyages, App-57), recorded in Ezr . No such secrecy would have been necessary, and no thought of allowing the People, whom he had just emancipated, to be exterminated, as is described in the book of Esther: But Cyrus, being her son, would be carefully prepared by her and Mordecai to begin his reign by such emancipation from Babylon (note, not from Shushan: compare Esther 1:1 with Jeremiah 25:11, Jeremiah 25:12), thus fulfilling Isaiah 44:28 with Isaiah 45:1-4.

Verse 12

for. Another Parenthesis. App-6. See note on Esther 1:7.

Verse 16

Tebeth. See App-51.

seventh year. The first feast was in the third year. The search probably took one year; the preparation another; oblations another. Other seasons are unnamed.

Verse 18

release = a holiday. Hebrew. hanahah.

Verse 19

when, &c. = while they were collecting, &c.

sat in the king"s gate. Mordecai was of the king"s household. See Esther 2:5. This guarded Esther"s interests, and enabled him to obtain all information. (N. B. Haman lived in his own house with his family in the city.)

Verse 20

as = according as.

for, &c. Thus revealing a new characteristic of Esther. This secrecy was hardly needed if the emancipation of Ezra 1:1 had already taken place.

commandment. Hebrew. "amar, as in Esther 1:10.

Verse 21

gate. Hebrew. sha"ar = the lofty gate of a palace, not the same word as "door", Esther 2:21; Esther 6:2.

door = threshold. Hebrew. saph.

Verse 22

was known. Mordecai sat in the king"s gate: the very place to hear all news.

Verse 23

written. See note on Esther 6:1.