聖書注解書

1. when the king’s commandment] Beginning with these words, and extending to the end of this long verse, is a series of clauses, thus postponing the actual narrative. The writer’s motive for this lengthened protasis may well be the literary effect of suggesting thereby the suspense which prevailed during the intervening period.

Chap. Esther 9:1-10. Overthrow of the Jews’ enemies

The story, omitting the intermediate months of preparation, now passes to the date fixed by the decree for the Jews’ overthrow.

2. to lay hand on such as sought their hurt] Thus it was open to the Jews to assume the offensive, and not necessarily await an attack. They would no doubt be guided by their familiarity with the circumstances of each locality and consequently with the most advisable tactics to adopt.

the fear of them was fallen upon all the peoples] Hence the resistance was half-hearted.

3. they that did the king’s business] See on Esther 3:9.

6. in Shushan the palace] The word seems to have a somewhat wider sense here than earlier in the Book (see note on Esther 1:2), meaning perhaps royal city. Bloodshed within the palace proper would not have been permitted, and even in the fortress connected with it this number would scarcely have been reached.

7–9. Most if not all of these names are apparently of Persian origin, and this circumstance is against the supposition that this was not Haman’s nationality as well. The Heb. text exhibits peculiarities in arrangement and orthography. The ten names are placed vertically. According to Jewish tradition this is to indicate that they were hung one above another on an exceedingly lofty gallows. Moreover, the first letter of the last name is written large, and one of those composing the second, seventh, and tenth names is made smaller than its neighbours. The reason for these peculiarities remains obscure. Evidently at an early date the words became subject to extensive corruption. The LXX. text differs widely.

10. on the spoil they laid not their hand] although according to the terms of the edict (Esther 8:11) they had a legal right to do this. Their desire was deliverance and also vengeance, but not material gain. Cp. the case of Abraham, when he refused to make himself liable to the imputation that he had been enriched by his overthrow of the king of Sodom’s enemies (Genesis 14:23).

11–19. Institution of memorial celebrations

12. what then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces!] It is best to take this, not, with A.V., as an actual question, but as meaning, It is superfluous to enquire how extensive the slaughter must be throughout the Empire as a whole, when Shushan alone has yielded so many victims.

Now what is thy petition?] The question implies that the king perceives that Esther is not yet satisfied.

13. There may have been special reasons why the extension of time was needed in Susa in order to ensure the Jews’ complete success in exterminating their foes there. The attitude of Esther and Mordecai towards the whole question of the permissibility of revenge was naturally that of their contemporaries, and so it is not to be judged by us on Christian principles.

be hanged upon the gallows] She asks that the bodies may be impaled or hung on a gibbet, so as to crown their disgrace, and serve as a terrible example.