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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 3:7-15

Haman values himself upon that bold and daring thought, which he fancied well became his great spirit, of destroying all the Jews?an undertaking worthy of its author, and which he promised himself would perpetuate his memory. He doubts not but to find desperate and bloody hands enough to cut all their throats if the king will but give him leave. How he obtained leave, and commission to do it, we are here told. He had the king's ear, let him alone to manage him. I. He makes a false and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 3:14

The copy of the writing, for a commandment to be given in every province, was published unto all people ,.... Not only letters were sent to the governors, but a copy, or the sum of the contents of them, was published by heralds, or stuck up as with us, in various places, that it might be publicly known by the common people everywhere: that they should be ready against that day ; and fall upon the people of the Jews, and slay them, and seize on their goods as a prey. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 3:15

The post went out, being hastened by the king's command ,.... Both to set out and make as much dispatch as possible: and the decree was given in Shushan the palace ; by the king, and with the advice of his courtiers: and the king and Haman sat down to drink ; at a banquet which perhaps Haman had prepared, in gratitude to the king for what he had granted him, both being highly delighted with what had been done: but the city Shushan was perplexed ; the court was agreed, but the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 3:15

The posts - Literally, the couriers, the hircarrahs, those who carried the public despatches; a species of public functionaries, who have been in use in all nations of the world from the remotest antiquity. The decree was given at Shushan - It was dated from the royal Susa, where the king then was. The city Shushan was perplexed - They saw that in a short time, by this wicked measure the whole city would be thrown into confusion; for, although the Jews were the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:7-15

Superstition and cynicism. Haman now proceeds to carry out the terrible plan of revenge on which he had resolved. Some important steps had to be taken before he could reach his end. These seem to us strange and incongruous. We may learn from them— I. THAT THE FREEDOM WHICH " NEITHER FEARS GOD NOR REGARDS MAN " MAY BE A SLAVE TO SUPERSTITION . Haman was a fatalist. He consulted Pur, or the lot, as to the day which would be favourable for his intended... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:8-15

HAMAN PERSUADES AHASUERUS TO PUBLISH A DECREE COMMANDING THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL THE JEWS IN HIS KINGDOM ON THE ENSUING THIRTEENTH DAY OF ADAR ( Esther 3:8-15 ). Having formed his own resolve, it remained for Haman to bring his proposal before Ahasuerus in such a shape as should secure his acquiescence in it. For this purpose he thought it best, first, to raise a prejudice against the Jews by representing them as bad subjects, causing trouble... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:12-15

Heartless counsels of destruction. History records many massacres, and the record is among the saddest and most sickening chapters of human annals. Most of these massacres have arisen from political fears and jealousies, or from religious hatred and bigotry. The proposed massacre of the Jews throughout the Persian empire took its origin from personal pique and pride—a motive even more contemptible than the others. Happily, the proposal and purpose of Haman were defeated. Still it may be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:14

The exact import of this verse is uncertain. Some suppose it to be a mere heading to a copy of the decree, which was originally inserted in the text between Esther 3:14 and Esther 3:15 . In this case the translation should be—"A copy of the writing for giving commandment to every province, published to all peoples, that they should be ready against that day." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:15

The posts went out, being hastened . Though there was ample time, since the remotest part of the empire could be reached in a month, or two at the most, yet the posts were "hastened," Haman being impatient, lest the king should change his mind, and decline to publish the edict. The king may himself also have wished to have the matter settled past recall . The king sat down with Haman to drink. This touch seems intended to mark their hardness of heart. As Nero "fiddled while Rome was... read more

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