Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
Saman seeks Revenge on the Jews. ESTHEE III, IV. Mordecai and the Jews Moxim manual to a royal edict. 13-15. Then were the king's scribes called . . . and there was written—The government secretaries were employed in making out the proclamation authorizing a universal massacre of the Jews on one day. It was translated Into the dialects of all the people throughout the vast empire, and swift messengers sent to carry it into all the provinces, and, on the day appointed, all Jews were to be put to death, and their property confiscated; doubtless, the means by which Haman hoped to pay his stipulated tribute into the exchequer. To us it appears unaccountable how any sane monarch could have given his consent to the extirpation of a numerous class of his subjects. But such acts of frenzied barbarity have, alas ! been not rarely authorized by careless and voluptuous despots, who have allowed their ears to be engrossed and their policy directed by haughty and selfish minions, who had their own passions at whose instigation, these eunuclis may have acted. Through tlie vigl Umce of Mordecai, wliose fidelity, liowever, passed unnoticed, tlie design was frustrated, while the conspirators were condemned to be executed ; and as the matter was recorded In the court annals, it became the occasion afterwards of Mordecai's preferment to tlie place of power and influence for wliicli, in furtherance of the national interests of tlie Jews, Divine providence intended him.
CHAPTER III.
Ver. 1-15. H\MAN, Advanced by tie King, and Despised BY Mordecai, seeks IIevenge on all the Jew's.
1. After tJicse tilings did Aliasuerns promote Hamau. . . and set liis seat above ail tlie princes i. e., raised him to the rank of vizier, or prime confidential minister, whose pre-eminence in office and power appeared in the elevated state chair appropriated to that supreme functionary. Such a distinction in seats was counted of vast Importance in the formal court of Persia. 3. all the king's servants, that were in tlie king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman—Large mansions in the East are entered by a spacious vestibule, or gateway, along the sides of which visitors sit, and are received by the master of the house; for none, except the nearest relatives or special friends, are admitted farther. There the officers of the ancient king of Persia waited till they were called, and did obeisance to the all-powerful minister of the day. but Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence—The obsequious homage of prostiation, not entirely foreign to the manners of the East, had not been claimed by former viziers; but this minion required that all subordinate officers of the court should bow before him with their faces to the earth. But to Mordecai it seemed that such an attitude of profound reverence was due only to God. Haraan being an Amalekite, one of a doomed and accursed race, was, doubtless, another element in the refusal; and on learning that the recusant was a Jew, whose nonconformity was grounded on religious scruples, the magnitude of the afiront appeared so much the greater, as the example of Mordecai would be imitated by to gratify, their own ends to serve, the king and Haman sat down to drink ; but the city Sliushan was perplexed—The completeness of the word-painting in this verse is exquisite. The historian, by a simple stroke, has drawn a graphic picture of an Oriental despot, wallowing with ills favourite in sensual enjoyments, while his tyrannical cruelties were rending the hearts and homes of thousands of his subjects.
CHAPTER IV.
Ver. 1-14. Mordecai and the Jews Mourn. 1. When Mordecai perceived all that was done—Relying on the irrevocable nature of a Persian monarch's decree (Daniel
6. 15), Haman made it known as soon as the roj-^1 sanction had been obtained, and Mordecai was, doubtless, amongst the first to hear of it. On his own account, as well as on that of his countrymen, this astounding decree must have been indescribably distressing. The acts described in this passage are, according to the Oriental fashion, expressive of the most poignant sorrow; and his approach to the gate of the palace, under the impulse of irrepressible emotions, was to make an earnest though vain appeal to the royal mercy. Access, however, to the king's presence was, to a person in his disfigured state, impossible; "for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth." But he found means of conveying intelligence of the horrid plot to Queen Esther. 4. Then was the queen all his compatriots. Had the homage been a simple token of civil respect, Mordecai would not have refused it; but the Persian kings demanded a .sort of adoration, which, it is well known, even the Greeks reckoned it degradation to express, and as Xerxes, in the height of his favouritism, had commanded the same honours to be given to the minister as to himself, this .was the ground of Mordecai's refusal. 7. In the tirst month . . . they cast Piir, that is, the lot—In resorting to this method of ascertaining the most auspicious day for putting his atrocious Bcheme into execution, Haman acted as the kings and no Dles of Persia have always done, never engaging in any enterprise without consulting the .astrologers, and being satisfied as to the lucky hour. Vowing revenge, but scorning to lay hands on a single victim, he meditated the extirpation of the whole Jewish race, who, he knew, were sworn enemies of his countrymen, and by artfully representing them as a people who were aliens In manners and habits, and enemies to the rest of his subjects, procured the king's sanction of the intended massacre. One motive which he used in urging his point was addressed to the king's cupidity. Fearing lest his master might object that the extermination of a numerous body of his sul)jocts would seriously depress the public revenue, Haman promised to make up the loss. 9. I will pay ten thousand talents of silver . . . into the king's trrastirles— This sum, reckoning by the Babylonish talent, will be about £2,119,000; but estimated according to the Jewish talent. It will considerably exceed £3,000,000, an immense contribution to be made out of a private fortune. But classic history makes mention of several persons whose resources seem almost Incredible. 10. the king took Ills ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman—There was a seal or signet In the ring. The bestowmernt of the ring, with the king's name and that of his kingdom engraven on It, was given with much ceremony, and It was equivalent to putting the sign 304. . . grieved ; and . . . sent raiment to . . . Mordecai— Her object in doing so was either to qualify him for resuming his former office, or else, perhaps, of fitting him to come near enough the palrfce to inform her of the cause of such sudden and extreme distress. r>. Then called Ksthei' for Hatacli, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he Iiad appointed to attend upon her—Communication with the women in the harem is hardly eveto be obtained, and only through the medium of the keepers. The chief eunuch receives the message from the lips of the queen, conveys it to some inferior office, of the seraglio, and, when the commission is executed, the subaltern communicates It to the superintendent, by whom It is delivered to the queen. This chief eunuch, usually an old man who has recommended himself by a long course of faithful service. Is always appointed by the king; but It Is his interest, as well as his duty, to Ingratiate himself with the queen also; and, accordingly, we find Ilatach rendering himself very serviceable in carrying on those private communications with Mordecai who was thereby enabled to enlist her powerful Intlucnoe.
8. charge her that she should go in unto the king— This language Is exceedingly strong, and, as It <'aii scarcely be supposed that Mordecai was still using authority over Esther as his adopted daughter, he must be considered as Imploring rather than commanding her, In the name of her brethren, and In the name of her God, to make a direct appeal to the feelings of her royal husband.
11. whosoever, whether man or woman, shall rome unto the king Into the Inner court, who Is not called —The Persian kings surrounded themselves with an almost Impassable circle of forms. The law alluded to was first enacted by Deloces, king of Media, and ivfler-
Eithei's Banquet to the King and Haman. ESTHER "V, VI. Mordecai Rewarded for Former Service.
der rod, but destitute of any knob or ornament. On the Khorsabad reliefs the rod is painted red, doubtless to repre' wards, when the empires were united, adopted by the Persians, (hat all business sliould be transacted and petitions transmitted to the Icing tlirough his ministers; and although the restriction was not intended, of .course, to apply to the qaeen, yet from the strict and inflexible character of the Persian laws, and the extreme desire to sent gold; proving that " the golden sceptre" was a simple wand of that precious metal, commonly held in the right hand, with one end resting on the ground, and that whether the king was sitting or walking. "The gold sceptre" has received little alteration or modification since ancient times. [Goss.] It was extended to FJsther as a token not only that her intrusion was pardoned, but that her visit was welcome, and a favourable reception given to the suit she had come to prefer, touched the top of the sceptre—This was the usual way of acknowledging the royal condescension, and at the same time expressing reverence and submission to the august majesty of the king. 3. It shall be even given thee to the lialf of the kingdom—This mode of speaking originated in the Persian custom of appropriating for the maintenance of great men, or royal favourites, one city for his bread, another for his wine, a third for his clothes, Ac, so that the phrase denoted great liberality. 4. let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him—There was great address in this procedure of Esther's; for, by showing such high respect to the king's favourite, she would the better insinuate herexalt the majesty of the sovereign, even his favourite wife had not the privilege of entree, except by special favour and indulgence. Esther was suffering from the severity of this law ; and as, from not being admitted for a whole month to the king's presence, she had reason to fear that the royal affections had become alienated from her, she had little hope of serving her country's cause In this awful emergency. 13, 14, Then Mortlecal commanded to answer Esther—His answer was to this ef Tect, that Esther need not indulge the vain hope she would, from her royal connection, escape the general doom of her race —that he (Mordecai) confidently believed God would interpose, and, if not through her, by some other deliverer, save his people; but that the duty evidently devolved on her, as there was great reason to believe that this was the design of Providence in her elevation to the dignity of queen, and therefore that she should go with a courageous heart, not doubting of success. 16. so tvlll 1 go in unto the king, whicli is not according to tlie law—The appeal of Mordecai was irresistible; and having appointed a solemn fast of three days, she expressed her firm resolution to make an appeal to the king, though she should perish in the attempt. I . . . and my maidens—It is probable that she had surrounded herself with Jewish maidens, or women who were proselytes to that religion.
self into the royal al Tections; and gain a more suitable opportunity of making known her request. 8. let the king and Haman com<f to the banquet that I shall prepare—The king ate alone, and his guests in an adjoining liall ; but they were admitted to sit with him at wine. Haman being the only Invited guest with the king and queen, it was natural that he should have been elated with the honour.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
Ver. 1-14. Esther Invites the King and Haman to A Banquet. 1. Esther put on her royal apparel—It was not only natural, but, on such occasions, highly proper and expedient, that the queen should decorate herself in a style becoming her exalted station. On ordinary occasions she might reasonably set ofi'her charms
Ver. 1-14. Ahasuekus Rewards Mordecai for Former Service. 1. the king . . . commanded to bring tlie book of records of the chronicles—In Eastern courts, there are scribes or officers whose duty it Is to keep a journal of every occurrence worthy of notice. A book of this kind, abounding with anecdotes, is full of intorest, and It has been a custom with Eastern kings, in all ages, frequently to cause the annals of the kingdom to be read to them. It is resorted to, not merely as a pastime to while away the tedium of an hour, but a source of instruction to the monarch, by reviewing the important incidents of his own life, as' well as those of his ancestors. There was, therefore, nothing uncommon In this Persian monarch calling for the court journal. But, in his being unable to sleep at that particular juncture. In his ordering the book then to be read to him, and in his attention having been specially directed to the Important and as yet unrewarded services of Mordecai, the immediate interposition of Providence is distinctly visible. 4. Now Haman was come into the outward court—This was early in the morning. It is the invariable custom for kings in Eastern countries to transact business before the sun is hot, often in the open air, and so Haman was in all probability come officially to attend on his master. 6. Wliat shall be done unto tlie man whom the king delighteth to honour 1—In bestowing tokens of their favour, the kings of Persia do not at once, and as it were by their own will, determine the kind of honour that shall be awarded; but they turn to the courtier standing next In rank to themselves, and ask him what shall be done to the individual who has rendered the service specified; and according to the answer received, the royal mandate is issued. 8. the royal apparel , . . which the klncuseth to wear—A coat which has been on the back of a king or prince Is reckoned a most honourable gift, and is given with great ceremony, the horse that the king rldeth upon—Persia was a country of horsesj and the high-bred charger that the king rode upon acquired, In the eyes of his venal subjects, a sort of sacrodness from that circumstance, and the crown royal which Is set up«n his head—Either the royal turban, or ft may be a tiara, with which, on state processions, the horse's head was adorned 9. delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble 365 to as much advantage as possible; but, on the present occasion, as she was desirous to secure the favour of one who •ostained the twofold character of her husband and her (Wvereign, public as well as private considerations—a regard to her personal safety, ao less than the preservation of her doomed countrymen—urged upon her the propriety of using every legitimate means of recommending herself to the favourable notice of Ahasuerus. the king sat npon his royal throne In the royal house, over against the gate of the Itouse—The palace of this Persian king seems to have been built, like many more of the same quality and description, with an advanced cloister, over against the gate, made in the fashion of a large penthouse, supported only by one or two contiguous pillars in the front, or else in the centre. In such open structures as these, In the midst of their guards and counsellors, are the bashaws, kadis, and other great officers, accustomed to distribute justice, and transact the public affairs of the provinces. [Shaw's Travels.] In such a situation the Persian king was seated. The seat he occupied was not a throne, according to our ideas of one, but simply a chair, and so high that it required a footstool. It was made of gold, or, at least, Inlaid with that metal, and covered with splendid tapestry, and no one save the king might sit down on It under pain of death. It is often found pictured on the Persepolltan monuments, and always of the same fash 1 on . !2. the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand—This golden sceptre receives an Interesting Illustration from the sculptured monuments of Persia and Assyria. In the bas-reliefs of Persepolls, copied by Sir Robert Ker Porter, we see King Darius enthroned In the midst of his court, and walking abroad In equal state; in either case he carries In his right hand a slender rod or wand, about equal in length to his own height, ornamented with a small knob at the Burnmlt. In the Assyrian alabasters, as well those found at NImroud as those from Khorsabad, "the great king'' Is furnished with the same appendage of royalty, a sleu-
FTiitiinn Haiu/ed on his own Gallnwf. ESTHER VII, VIII. The Jcvs aUov:ed to Defend Themsehei.
to Mordecal — By that act transferring to him nil the power and authority which the ring symbolized, and promoting him to the high dignity which Haman had formerly lilled. Esther set Mordecal over the house of Haman—As her steward or factor, to manage that huge and opulent estate which had bein assigned to her. Esther spake yet again before the king, an«l fell do« ii at his feet—The king was then not reclining at table, but sitting on a divan, most probably in tlie Persian attitude, leaning back against the cushions, and ojie foot undei him. besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Hainan— i.e., to repeal the sanguinary edict which, at the secret instigation of Haman, had been re-
. . . array tlie man—On grand and public occasions, t hf royal steed is led by the highest suljjeot throuijh the principal streets of the city, a ceremony which may occupy several hours. 11. Then Haman took, &c.—This BUdden reverse, however painful to Haman as an individual, is particularly characteristic of the Persian manners. 1-4. came tlie king's chamberlains, and liasteneii to bring Haman unto the banqnet Besides the invitation given to an entertainment, a message is always sent to the guests, immediately at tlie day and hour appointed, to announce that all things are ready.
CHAPTER VII. Ver. \-f\ Esther Sues for her own Life and tiif, centljpassed (ch. 8. 12). 4. Tlien tlie king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther—In token that her request was accepted, and that she needed no longer to maint.iin the luimble attitude of a suppliant. 5,6. reverse tlte letters devised by Haman ... to destroy the Jews—Tlie whole conduct of Esther in this matter is characterized by great tact, and the variety of expressions by which she describes her willing submission to her royal husband, the address with which she rolls the whole infamy of the meditatetJ massacre on Haman, and the argument she draws from the king's sanction being surreptitiously obtained, that tlie decree should be immediately reversed—all indicate tlie queen's wisdom and
IjIFE of HEit People. 4. we are sold, I and my people to be destroyed— i. e., by the cruel and perfidious scheme oi that man, who oflfered an immense sum of money to purchase our extermination. Esther dwelt on his contemplated atrocity, in a variety of expressions, which botli evinced the depth of her own emotions, and were intended to awaken similar feelings in the king's breast. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue—Though a great calamity to the Jews, the enslavement of that people might have enriched the national exchequer, and, at all events, the policy, if found from experience to be bad, could be skill, and she succeeded in this point also.
altered. But the destruction of such a body of people would be an irreparable evil, and all the talenta Haman might pour into the treasury could not compensate for
7-H. AHASUERU.S Grants to thk Jews to Defend THEMSELVES. 8. Write ... in the Iting's name, and seal It wltl» the king's ring—Hence it is evident that the royal ring liad a seal in it, wliicli, being affixed to auy document, authenticated it witli the stamp of royal authe loss of their services.
7-10. The King Causes Haman to be Hanged on his OWN Gallows. 7. he saw that there was evil detcrmiited against him by tlie king—When tlie king of Perthorit.v. which . . . ii»ay no man reverse—This is added as the reason why he could not comply, with the queen'* request for a direct reversal or recall of Haman's letters, sia orders an offender to be executed, and tlien rises and goes into the women's apartment, it is a sign that no mercy is to be hoped for. Even the sudden rising of the king in anger was the same as if he had pronounced senviz., that the laws of the Medes and I'ersians, once passed, were irrevocable. 10. sent . . . by posts . . . and rlderi on . . . camels, and young droiiiednries—The busitjcss being very urgent, the swiftest kiml of camel wovild be employed, and so the word in tlie original denotes -the tence. 8. Haman was fallen upon the be<l wl»ereon Esther was—We do not know the precise form of the couches on which the Persians reclined at table. But it is probal)!e that they were not very different from those used by the Greeks and Romans. Haman, perhaps, at j('i)i(i-c«mci—young dromedaries al.so are used to carr.v expresses, being remarkable for tlie nimbleness and ease of their movements. Animals of tliis description could convey the new rescript of Ahasuerus over the length and breadth of the Persian empire in time to relieve the unhappy Jews from the ban under which they lay. 11-13. the king grantetl to the .Tews ... to stand for their first stood up to beg pardon of Esther; but driven in his extremity to resort to an attitude of the most earnest supplication, he fell prostrate on the couch where the queen was recumljent. The king returning that instant was fired at what seemed an outrage on female modesty, tliey covered Haman's face—The import of this striking action is, tliat a criminal is unworthy any longer to look on the face of the king, and hence, when malefactors are consigned to their doom in Persia, the lirst thing is to cover tlie face with a veil or napkin. 9. Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Beltold also the gallows—This eunuch had probably been the messenger sent with the invitation to Haman, and on that occasion had seen the gallows. The information he now volunteered, as well it may be frotn abhorrence of Haman's cold-blooded conspiracy as from sympathy with his amiable mistress, Involved with her people in imminent peril. 10. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared—He has not been the only plotter of mischief whose feet have been taken In the net which they hid (Psalm 9. 15). But never was condemnation more life . . . to slay . . . all . . . that would assault them— The fixed and unalterable character claimed for I'ersian edicts often placed the king in a very awkward dilemma ; for, however bitterly he might regret things done in a moment of haste and thoughtlessness, it was beyond even his power to prevent the eonsetiuences. This was the reason on account of which the king was laid under a necessity not to reverse, but to Issue a contradictory edict; according to which it was enacted that if, pursuant to the first decree, the Jews were assaulted, they might, by virtue of tlie second, defend themselves and even slay their enemies. However str.aiigo and even ridiculous this mode of procedure may appear, it was the only one which, from the peculiarities of court eti(jU(>tte In Persia, could be adopteil. Instances occur in sacred (Daniel i>. 14), no less than profane, liistor.v. Many passages of the l!il)lo attest the truth of this, partlcularl.v the well-known Incident of Daniel's being cast into the den of lions, in <'onformit.v with the rash decree of Darius, though, as it afterwards appeartKl, contrar.y to the personal tleslre of thai monarch. That the law of Persia has uiidergone no change In this respect, and the power of the monarch not less Immutable, appear from many anecdotes related in the books of modern travellers through tlmt country.
Just, and retribution more merited, than the execution of that gigantic criminal.
CHAPTER VIII'. Ver. 1-6. MORDECAi Advanced. 1. On that day did., . . AhaHucrus give the house of Haman . . . unto Esther-His property was confiscated, and evcry tiling toelongiug to him, as some compensation for the peril to which she liad been exposed. Mordecai came before the king— j. e., was Introduced at court and appointed one of the seven counsellors. Esther dlsplay(Ml great prudence and addnss In fccknowlcdging Mordccal's relation to her at the moirumt most llttiMl to \w of eminent service to hun. 'i. the king took off his ring . , . and gave It iry-\7. MoKDECAi's Honours, AND the Jews" Joy. l». Mordecal went out ... In royal nppnrel—He was Invested with the khelaat of ol Tlclal honour. .\ dress of blue and wliltit was held In great estimation among the Persians; so that Mordecal, whom the king deliglili d to honour, was in fact arrayed in the royal ilrcss and Inslg-