13 And Haman H2001 told H5608 Zeresh H2238 his wife H802 and all his friends H157 every thing that had befallen H7136 him. Then said H559 his wise men H2450 and Zeresh H2238 his wife H802 unto him, If Mordecai H4782 be of the seed H2233 of the Jews, H3064 before H6440 whom thou hast begun H2490 to fall, H5307 thou shalt not prevail H3201 against him, but shalt surely H5307 fall H5307 before H6440 him.
Moreover the LORD H3068 will also deliver H5414 Israel H3478 with thee into the hand H3027 of the Philistines: H6430 and to morrow H4279 shalt thou and thy sons H1121 be with me: the LORD H3068 also shall deliver H5414 the host H4264 of Israel H3478 into the hand H3027 of the Philistines. H6430 Then Saul H7586 fell H5307 straightway H4116 all H4393 along H6967 on the earth, H776 and was sore H3966 afraid, H3372 because of the words H1697 of Samuel: H8050 and there was no strength H3581 in him; for he had eaten H398 no bread H3899 all the day, H3117 nor all the night. H3915
Nevertheless Haman H2001 refrained H662 himself: and when he came H935 home, H1004 he sent H7971 and called H935 for his friends, H157 and Zeresh H2238 his wife. H802 And Haman H2001 told H5608 them of the glory H3519 of his riches, H6239 and the multitude H7230 of his children, H1121 and all the things wherein the king H4428 had promoted H1431 him, and how he had advanced H5375 him above the princes H8269 and servants H5650 of the king. H4428 Haman H2001 said H559 moreover, Yea, Esther H635 the queen H4436 did let no man come in H935 with the king H4428 unto the banquet H4960 that she had prepared H6213 but myself; and to morrow H4279 am I invited H7121 unto her also with the king. H4428 Yet all this availeth H7737 me nothing, so long as H6256 I see H7200 Mordecai H4782 the Jew H3064 sitting H3427 at the king's H4428 gate. H8179 Then said H559 Zeresh H2238 his wife H802 and all his friends H157 unto him, Let a gallows H6086 be made H6213 of fifty H2572 cubits H520 high, H1364 and to morrow H1242 speak H559 thou unto the king H4428 that Mordecai H4782 may be hanged H8518 thereon: then go H935 thou in merrily H8056 with the king H4428 unto the banquet. H4960 And the thing H1697 pleased H3190 H6440 Haman; H2001 and he caused H6213 the gallows H6086 to be made. H6213
This H1836 is the interpretation H6591 of the thing: H4406 MENE; H4484 God H426 hath numbered H4483 thy kingdom, H4437 and finished H8000 it. TEKEL; H8625 Thou art weighed H8625 in the balances, H3977 and art found H7912 wanting. H2627 PERES; H6537 Thy kingdom H4437 is divided, H6537 and given H3052 to the Medes H4076 and Persians. H6540
Behold, I will make H7760 Jerusalem H3389 a cup H5592 of trembling H7478 unto all the people H5971 round about, H5439 when they shall be in the siege H4692 both against Judah H3063 and against Jerusalem. H3389 And in that day H3117 will I make H7760 Jerusalem H3389 a burdensome H4614 stone H68 for all people: H5971 all that burden H6006 themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, H8295 H8295 though all the people H1471 of the earth H776 be gathered together H622 against it.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Esther 6
Commentary on Esther 6 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 6
Es 6:1-14. Ahasuerus Rewards Mordecai for Former Service.
1. the king … commanded to bring the 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 interest. 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 as 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. What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?—In bestowing tokens of their favor, the kings of Persia do not at once, and as it were by their own will, determine the kind of honor 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 king useth to wear—A coat which has been on the back of a king or prince is reckoned a most honorable gift, and is given with great ceremony.
the horse that the king rideth upon—Persia was a country of horses, and the highbred charger that the king rode upon acquired, in the eyes of his venal subjects, a sort of sacredness from that circumstance.
and the crown royal which is set upon his head—either the royal turban, or it 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 princes … array the man—On grand and public occasions, the royal steed is led by the highest subject through the principal streets of the city, a ceremony which may occupy several hours.
11. Then Haman took, &c.—This sudden reverse, however painful to Haman as an individual, is particularly characteristic of the Persian manners.
14. came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared—Besides the invitation given to an entertainment, a message is always sent to the guests, immediately at the day and hour appointed, to announce that all things are ready.