Bible Commentaries
Esther 9

Introduction

Overview

Esther 9:1, The Jews slay their enemies, with the ten sons of Haman; Esther 9:12, Ahasuerus, at the request of Esther, grants another day of slaughter, and Haman’s sons to be hanged; Esther 9:20, The two days of Purim are made festival.

Verse 1

am 3552, bc 452

in the twelfth: Esther 3:7, Esther 3:13, Esther 8:12

hoped: Acts 12:11

though it was turned: Deuteronomy 32:36, 2 Samuel 22:41, Psalms 30:11, Isaiah 14:1, Isaiah 14:2, Isaiah 60:14-16, Revelation 11:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:28 - the twelve Ezra 6:15 - Adar Esther 9:17 - of the same Esther 9:18 - on the thirteenth Proverbs 11:11 - it Philippians 1:12 - rather

Verse 2

gathered: Esther 9:10, Esther 9:16, Esther 8:11

as sought: Deuteronomy 2:30, Joshua 11:20, Psalms 71:13, Psalms 71:24, Isaiah 8:9

the fear: Esther 8:17, Genesis 35:5, Exodus 23:27, Joshua 2:9

Reciprocal: Esther 9:15 - gathered themselves

Verse 3

the rulers: Esther 3:12, Esther 8:9, Ezra 8:36, Daniel 3:2, Daniel 6:1, Daniel 6:2

officers of the king: Heb. those which did the business that belonged to the king

the fear: Esther 3:2-6, Esther 8:5

Reciprocal: Esther 6:11 - and arrayed

Verse 4

was great: Psalms 18:43

his fame: Joshua 6:27, 1 Samuel 2:30, 1 Chronicles 14:17, Zephaniah 3:19, Matthew 4:24

waxed: 2 Samuel 3:1, 1 Chronicles 11:9, Psalms 1:3, Proverbs 4:18, Isaiah 9:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 11:3 - Moses 2 Kings 5:1 - a great Esther 10:2 - advanced him Daniel 8:8 - waxed

Verse 5

smote: Psalms 18:34-40, Psalms 18:47, Psalms 18:48, Psalms 20:7, Psalms 20:8, Psalms 149:6-9, 2 Thessalonians 1:6

the stroke: Jeremiah 18:21

what they would: Heb. according to their will, The Chaldee paraphrast says that none appeared against the Jews but Amalekites only, who were infatuated, and had their hearts hardened, as Pharaoh's against Israel, to take up arms to their own destruction. Some had such an inveterate, implacable malice against the Jews, that Haman's fall and Mordecai's advancement, instead of convincing, seemed only to exasperate them the more. How have the most dreadful scourges ravaged a country, and yet the inhabitants are unmindful of the Almighty Disposer of events, and that the cause of his righteous displeasure is their continual provocation! Forty years long was he grieved with one generation, who learned not his ways, although daily fed and clothed by a miracle.

Reciprocal: Esther 3:7 - Adar Job 27:14 - children Psalms 129:5 - be confounded Isaiah 22:25 - the burden

Verse 6

Shushan: Esther 3:15

Reciprocal: Proverbs 12:7 - wicked

Verse 7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 25:19 - thou shalt Esther 5:11 - the multitude

Verse 10

ten sons: Esther 5:11, Exodus 20:5, Job 18:18, Job 18:19, Job 27:13-15, Psalms 21:10, Psalms 109:12, Psalms 109:13

enemy: Esther 3:1, Esther 7:4, Esther 7:6, Exodus 17:16

but on the spoil: It does not appear that the Jews slew any person who did not rise up to destroy them: they stood for their lives; and gave full proof that they sought their own personal safety, and not the property of their enemies: though the decree in their favour gave them authority to take the property of all their adversaries. Esther 9:15, Esther 9:16, Esther 8:11, Genesis 14:23, Romans 12:17, Philippians 4:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:27 - spoiled 2 Samuel 21:6 - hang Esther 3:13 - the spoil Esther 9:2 - gathered Esther 9:24 - the enemy Daniel 6:24 - their children Amos 6:9 - if

Verse 11

was brought: Heb. came, Esther 9:11

Reciprocal: Esther 9:18 - on the thirteenth Daniel 8:2 - Shushan

Verse 12

what is thy petition: Esther 5:6, Esther 7:2

Reciprocal: Esther 1:2 - Shushan Esther 4:6 - the king's Esther 5:3 - What Esther 5:11 - the multitude Acts 23:19 - What

Verse 13

If it please the king: Esther had probably been informed by Mordecai, that there were still many enemies of the Jews who sought their destruction, who had escaped the preceding day; and therefore begged that the second day might be added to the former permission; and that the sons of Haman, who had already been slain, might be suspended on gibbets, as a terror to those who sought the destruction of the Jews.

according unto: Esther 8:11

let Haman's ten sons be hanged: Heb. let men hang Haman's ten sons, Deuteronomy 21:23, 2 Samuel 21:6, 2 Samuel 21:9, Galatians 3:13

Reciprocal: Esther 5:11 - the multitude Esther 9:15 - gathered themselves Esther 9:18 - on the thirteenth Esther 9:25 - when Esther came

Verse 14

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:20 - his latter end 2 Samuel 21:6 - hang Ezra 7:13 - I make Esther 9:25 - when Esther came Proverbs 12:7 - wicked Ecclesiastes 6:3 - and also Galatians 3:13 - for

Verse 15

gathered themselves: Esther 9:2, Esther 9:13, Esther 8:11, Psalms 118:7-12

but on the prey: Esther 9:10, Esther 9:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Hebrews 13:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:23 - That I Ezra 6:15 - Adar Esther 9:18 - on the thirteenth Ecclesiastes 6:3 - and also Daniel 8:2 - Shushan

Verse 16

gathered themselves: Esther 9:2, Esther 8:11

stood: Esther 8:11, Leviticus 26:7, Leviticus 26:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:23 - That I Genesis 34:27 - spoiled Esther 9:10 - but on the spoil Esther 9:15 - but on the prey

Verse 17

of the same: Heb. in it, Esther 9:1, Esther 9:18, Esther 9:21, Esther 3:12, Esther 8:9

Reciprocal: Ezra 6:15 - Adar Esther 3:7 - Adar Esther 8:16 - had light Esther 8:17 - a feast

Verse 18

on the thirteenth: Esther 9:1, Esther 9:11, Esther 9:13, Esther 9:15

Reciprocal: Esther 9:17 - of the same

Verse 19

gladness: Esther 9:22, Esther 8:17, Deuteronomy 16:11, Deuteronomy 16:14, Nehemiah 8:10-12, Psalms 118:11-16, Luke 11:41, Revelation 11:10

sending portions: The eastern princes and people not only invite their friends to feasts, but it is their custom to send a portion of the banquet to those that cannot well attend, especially their relations, and those in a state of mourning. Thus, when the Grand Emir found that it incommoded M. D'Arvieux to eat with him, he desired him to take his own time for eating, and sent him from his kitchen what he liked best.

Reciprocal: Judges 5:7 - the villages 1 Samuel 25:8 - a good day Ezra 6:15 - Adar Ecclesiastes 11:2 - a portion

Verse 20

Mordecai: That is, as the words imply, the history contained in this book; and not merely the letters afterwards mentioned, as some understand it.

wrote these: Exodus 17:14, Deuteronomy 31:19-22, 1 Chronicles 16:12, Psalms 124:1-3, Psalms 145:4-12, 2 Corinthians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 1:11

in all the provinces: Esther 1:1, Esther 1:22, Esther 3:12, Esther 8:9

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 30:5 - established Esther 9:26 - letter Esther 9:29 - confirm Jeremiah 29:1 - of the letter

Verse 21

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 30:5 - established Ezra 6:15 - Adar Esther 3:7 - Adar Esther 9:17 - of the same

Verse 22

the days: Esther 3:12, Esther 3:13, Exodus 13:3-8, Psalms 103:2, Isaiah 12:1, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 14:3

from sorrow: Psalms 30:11, Matthew 5:4, John 16:20-22

sending portions: Esther 9:19, Nehemiah 8:10-12, Luke 11:41, Acts 2:44-46, Galatians 2:10

Reciprocal: Judges 3:11 - the land Esther 2:18 - gave gifts Esther 8:17 - a feast Job 27:23 - clap Ecclesiastes 11:2 - a portion Isaiah 61:3 - beauty Jeremiah 31:13 - for Zechariah 8:19 - joy

Verse 24

the enemy: Esther 9:10, Esther 3:5-13

Pur: The word pur seems to be derived either from the Persian bahr and bar, a part, portion, lot, or pari, anything which happens fortuitously or fortunately; whence the annual festival in commemoration of the wonderful deliverance of the Jews from their enemies was called Purim, or in Arabic and Persian, Fuhr, or Lots; which has been observed by them, in all places of their dispersion, from that day to the present time, without any interruption. Esther 3:7

consume: Heb. crush

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 21:5 - The man Isaiah 22:25 - the burden

Verse 25

when Esther came: Heb. when she came, Esther 9:13, Esther 9:14, Esther 7:5-10, Esther 8:1-14

return: Psalms 7:16, Psalms 109:17, Psalms 109:18, Psalms 140:9, Psalms 141:10, Matthew 21:44

Reciprocal: Judges 9:24 - That the 2 Samuel 21:5 - The man Esther 7:9 - Hang him thereon Job 5:13 - taketh Psalms 146:9 - the way Proverbs 11:16 - gracious Proverbs 19:21 - many Isaiah 22:25 - the burden Daniel 6:24 - and they brought Micah 2:1 - to Luke 6:38 - with

Verse 26

they called: Numbers 16:40, Ezekiel 39:11

Pur: that is, Lot

letter: Esther 9:20

Verse 27

and upon their seed: Deuteronomy 5:3, Deuteronomy 29:14, Deuteronomy 29:15, Joshua 9:15, 1 Samuel 30:25, 2 Samuel 21:1, 2 Samuel 21:2

all such: Esther 8:17, Isaiah 56:3, Isaiah 56:6, Zechariah 2:11, Zechariah 8:23

fail: Heb. pass

Reciprocal: Esther 3:12 - according Esther 9:31 - and for their seed Psalms 78:7 - not forget

Verse 28

remembered: Exodus 12:17, Psalms 78:5-7, Psalms 103:2

fail: Heb. pass

the memorial: Exodus 13:8, Exodus 13:9, Joshua 4:7, Zechariah 6:14

perish from their seed: Heb. be ended from their seed

Reciprocal: Psalms 78:6 - That Psalms 78:7 - not forget

Verse 29

the daughter of Abihail: Esther 3:15

authority: Heb. strength

confirm: Esther 9:20, Esther 8:10

Verse 30

the hundred: Esther 1:1, Esther 8:9

words of peace: Isaiah 39:8, Zechariah 8:19

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:26 - with words 2 Kings 20:19 - peace and truth

Verse 31

themselves: Heb. their souls

and for their seed: Esther 9:27

the fastings: Esther 4:3, Esther 4:16, Jonah 3:2-9