Bible Commentaries
Esther 9

Verse 1

thirteenth. See note on Esther 3:12 .

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

decree. Hebrew. dath . See note on Esther 2:8 .

power = mastery. See note on Esther 8:11 .

though, &c. Note the Parenthesis.

the Jews = the Jews themselves.

Verse 2

withstand = stand before.

people = the peoples.

Verse 4

Mordecai = the man (Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .) Mordecai, greatly emphasizing the person. Compare Numbers 12:3 . 1 Kings 11:28 . Daniel 9:21 .

Verse 5

sword . . . slaughter . . . destruction. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia , for emphasis.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .

Verse 6

destroyed, &c. Note that they took no advantage of the permission given in Esther 8:11 .

Verse 7

And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: Esther 9:7-9 , particularizing each one of Haman's ten sons.

Verse 10

The ten sons. In all Hebrew manuscripts and printed editions these ten names are written with the word veeth, being the demonstrative pronoun = self, or this same, or himself, thus: veeth Parshandatha, veeth Dalphon, veeth Aspatha, veeth Poratha, veeth Adalia, veeth Aridatha, veth Parmashta, veeth Arisai, veeth Aridai, veeth Vajezatha. It has been suggested that it is because they were hanged one above another. But, as each Hebrew character is a number as well as a letter, the numerical value of these names (regarded as an addition sum) amounts to 10,244, or 13 x 788; while Haman the Agagite = 117 (13x9), and Zeresh = 507 (13x39), and the whole family = 10,868 (13x836). See App-10 for the significance of this. On the other hand, 'Eth - Hadassah hi ' (Esther 2:7 ) adds up 1,152 = 8x122, and "Mordecai", son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjarnite (Esther 2:5 ), adds up 1,912 = (8 x 239). See App-10 .

the enemy of the Jews. See note on Esther 3:10 .

Slew they. See note on "Benjamite" (Esther 2:5 ).

laid they not their hand. Compare note on "take the spoil" (Esther 3:13 ). They probably remembered taking the spoil instead of obeying in 1 Samuel 15:0 . Hence the emphasis on this in verses: Esther 9:10 , Esther 9:15 , Esther 9:16 .

Verse 13

let Hainan's ten sons be hanged. One of the ten deaths occasioned or obtained by women. See note on Judges 4:21 .

be hanged Not alive, but hanged up after death. They were slain in conflict first. See verses: Esther 9:6 , Esther 9:7 .

Verse 14

commanded. Hebrew. 'amar. See note on Esther 1:10 .

Verse 16

their lives = themselves Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

had rest from. Dr. Ginsburg thinks the Hebrew should read "to avenge themselves upon". Compare Esther 8:13 .

Verse 21

stablish = ordain. Hebrew. kum, as in verses: Esther 9:29 , Esther 9:31 .

Verse 25

device, which he devised = his great device. Figure of speech Polyptoton.

Verse 26

Purim = lots. The name of the feast to this day.

Pur. See note on Esther 3:7 .

Verse 27

ordained. Hebrew. kum, as in verses: Esther 9:21 , Esther 9:31 .

Verse 28

should not fail. This sounds like a prophecy, and sets a seal on the inspiration of the book.

perish = come to an end. See note on Esther 3:13 .

Verse 29

the daughter of Abihail. See Esther 2:15 .

confirm. Hebrew. kum, as in verses: Esther 9:21 , Esther 9:31 .

Verse 30

hundred, &c. See note on Esther 1:1 .

Verse 31

enjoined = ordained. Hebrew. kum.

as = according as.

decreed = ordained. Hebrew. kum, as in verses: Esther 9:27 , Esther 9:29 , Esther 9:31 .

Verse 32

decree = command. Hebrew. ma'amar. Occurs only in Esther (Esther 1:15 ).