Esther 8
DOYLYChap. IX. ver. 14. — they hanged Haman’s ten sons.] A farther instance of the retribution awaiting guilt. Haman had flattered his malicious and sanguinary spirit with the cruel hope of destroying the whole Jewish kindred: now his own sons (of the number of whom he had before boasted) are all cut off, and on the gallows share the reproach of their father. Bp. Hall.
Esther 8:11
- Wherein the king granted the Jews—to stand for their life,] The decree procured by Haman against the Jews being by an unreasonable custom irreversible, all that the king could do, in compliance with Esther’s request, was to give the Jews, by a new decree, such a power to defend themselves as might render the former decree ineffectual. Dean Prideaux.
Esther 8:12
12.—upon the thirteenth day &c.] The very day appointed by Haman for their destruction.
Esther 8:15
15.—in royal apparel] See the note on Dan. v. 7.
—a great crown of gold,] Not a royal crown, but such an one as was worn by the highest princes of Persia. Bp. Patrick.
Esther 8:16
- The Jews had light,] Light is often figuratively applied in Scripture to denote prosperity. Bp. Lowth.
The eyes of the Lord are ever upon His church, and though He sometimes suffer it to be brought into tribulation, yet He hath promised concerning it, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn,” Iasi. liv. 17. Bp. Horne.
Esther 8:17
17.—And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.] When
Haman’s conspiracy was defeated, and the destruction designed against the Jews was, by a wonderful chain of providences, turned upon their enemies, it is said that “many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.” Their enemies, though heathens, saw plainly, from what had happened, that the Jews had more than ordinary favour shewed them from heaven, and from thence inferred that their laws and religion must needs be more acceptable there than any other; and therefore left their own for theirs, and became Jews themselves that they might partake of the same privileges and favours with them. Bp. Beveridge.
The dispersion of the Jews throughout the numerous provinces of the Babylonian and Persian empires, became providentially the means of publishing the true religion among the people with whom they were intermixed. Being often eminently distinguished by the royal favour, they were enabled to convey a knowledge of the truth with greater advantage: the evident interpositions of God in the cause of His people also raising exalted sentiments of His religion. Dr. Owen.
The ten sons of Haman are slain. The two days of Purim Before CHRIST about 500. which did the business that belonged to the king. cording to their will. men hang. vince, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and † officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.