Esther 4

Esther 4:1

done = being done.

bitter cry. Not (we may be sure) without confession and prayer, as with Nehemiah (Esther 1), and Daniel 9).

Esther 4:2

even = as far as.

Esther 4:3

commandments word. See note on Esther 1:12.

decree = Imperial decree. Hebrew. dath. See notes on Esther 1:8; Esther 2:8.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), to emphasize the greatness and universality of the mourning.

fasting, &c. These were the accompaniments of true repentance.

Esther 4:4

maids. See note on Esther 2:4.

chamberlains = eunuchs.

Esther 4:5

commandment = charge. Hebrew. zavah. See Esther 3:2.

Esther 4:7

the sum of the money = the exact sum of the money. Mordecai knew of this, but how we cannot tell. He evidently did not know that the king had made Harnan a present of it (Esther 3:11).

Esther 4:11

law = Imperial decree. Hebrew. dath. See note on Esther 1:8.

Esther 4:13

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

thyself = thy soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

Esther 4:14

enlargement = respite.

who knoweth . . . ? Note the Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6), for emphasis. Used here of hope and trust in God and His overruling grace.

Esther 4:16

three days, night or day. The Jerusalem Talmud says “a day and night together make up a nulctke-meron, and that any part of such period is counted as a whole”. Compare 1 Samuel 30:12, 1 Samuel 30:13. Jonah 1:17. Matthew 12:40.

I perish. See note on Esther 3:13.

Esther 4:17

went his way = passed over: i.e. over the river Ulai, on which Shushan is built, to the Jewish quarter, to accomplish his part of the compact.