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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:20

Esther had not showed her kindred nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her ,.... As not before, so neither since she was made queen, see Esther 2:10 , though, according to the Targums, she was urged to it by the king himself: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him : which showed great humility in her, notwithstanding her advancement, great respect to him, and a sense of gratitude for the kindness he had shown; and this charge to her was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:21

In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate ,.... Being, as before observed, an officer at court: two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those that kept the door ; of the inner court, as Aben Ezra, of the doors of his bedchamber; perhaps they were the chief of his bodyguards, as the Septuagint version; in later times, such officers were about the chambers of great personages as their guards F1 Vid. Pignorium de Servis, p. 408, &c.; & Popma de Servis,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:22

And the thing was known to Mordecai ,.... But by what means does not appear; the Jewish writers say F3 T. Bab. Megillah, fol. 13. 2. Targum prius & Jarchi in loc. , these two men were Tarsians, and spoke in the Tarsian language, which they thought Mordecai did not understand; but he, being skilled in languages, overheard them, and understood what they said; but, according to Josephus F4 Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 4. , it was discovered to him by Barnabazus, a servant of one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 2:23

And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out ,.... That these two men had entered into a conspiracy to take away the king's life; full proof and evidence were given of it: therefore they were both hanged on a tree ; Josephus F5 Ibid. (Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 4.) says they were crucified; but hanging was frequent among the Persians, as Grotius observes, and better agrees with the word here used: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:12

Six months with oil of myrrh - See on Esther 2:3 ; (note). The reason of this purification seems not to be apprehended by any writer I have seen. The most beautiful of all the young virgins of all the provinces of Babylon were to be selected; and these were taken out of all classes of the people, indiscriminately; consequently there must have been many who were brought up in low life. Now we know that those who feed on coarse strong food, which is not easily digested, have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:13

Whatsoever she desired - When any of the young women were called to go to the king, it appears that it was an ordinance that whatever kind of dress stuff, color, jewels, etc., they thought best to set off their persons, and render them more engaging, should be given them. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:14

She returned into the second house - This was the place where the king's concubines were kept. They went out no more, and were never given in marriage to any man, and saw the king's face no more unless specially called. Custody of Shaashgaz - This is probably another Persian name; sheshkhunj , beardless, a proper epithet of a eunuch; or sestgunj , weak loins, for the same reason. Names of this kind at once show the reason of their imposition, by describing the state of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:15

She required nothing - She left this entirely to her friend Hege, who seems to have been intent on her success. She therefore left her decorations to his judgment alone, and went in that dress and in those ornaments which he deemed most suitable. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:16

The tenth month - Tebeth - Answering to part of our December and January. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 2:17

Set the royal crown upon her head - Made her what is now called in the East the Sultana, the queen. She was the mistress of all the rest of the wives, all of whom were obliged to pay her the most profound respect. read more

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