CRITICAL NOTES.] The Jews destroy their enemies, and at Mordecai’s request establish the festival of Purim. ESTHER 9:1. IN THE TWELFTH MONTH, ON THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF THE SAME, THE JEWS GATHERED THEMSELVES TOGETHER IN THEIR CITIES, &c.] Several parenthetical clauses succeed this definition of time,... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 9:2. FOR THE FEAR OF THEM FELL UPON ALL THE PEOPLE] A general terror spread from a feeling that the Jews were the special favourites of the most high God; and while this feeling disheartened and unnerved their enemies, it gave inspiration and power to the Jews. We may natura... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 9:2. FOR THE FEAR OF THEM FELL UPON ALL THE PEOPLE] A general terror spread from a feeling that the Jews were the special favourites of the most high God; and while this feeling disheartened and unnerved their enemies, it gave inspiration and power to the Jews. We may natura... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 9:6. IN SHUSHAN THE PALACE THE JEWS SLEW … FIVE HUNDRED] Shushan the palace is here evidently to be taken in the sense of the place or city of the palace, equivalent to _in_ or _at Shushan_, as in Esther 9:15. It is not to be supposed that the work of slaughter was carried o... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 9:12.] If the Jews had killed five hundred men in Susa, how many may they not have slain in other parts of the kingdom? The king recognizes the fact that, if the Jews had to do with so many opponents, they could hardly have mastered them, and even now great danger threatened... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 9:17. THEREFORE … THE FOURTEENTH DAY] Because the Jews outside of Shushan did all their fighting on the thirteenth, and rested on the fourteenth, as stated in Esther 9:17, THEREFORE] they made the latter day their day of feasting and joy; but the Jews in Shushan, having fough... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.] ESTHER 9:29.] A second letter from queen Esther and Mordecai to appoint fasting and lamentation on the days of Purim. ESTHER 9:32.] The feast of Purim instituted by letters from Mordecai and Esther. ESTHER 9:29.] And Esther the queen and Mordecai the Jew wrote with all strength,... [ Continue Reading ]