Esther 3:12-15

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 3:12

Then were the king's scribes called, on the thirteenth day of the first month ,.... The month Nisan, Esther 3:7 , after Haman had leave and power from the king to destroy the Jews, and his ring given him in token of it; the king's scribes or secretaries of state were called together on that day, to write the letters for that purpose: and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded ; whatever he would have done; he had an unlimited power to do what he pleased, and he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 3:13

And the letters were sent by post into all the king's provinces ,.... Or by the runners F24 ביד הרצים "in manu cursorum", Montanus; so the Tigurine version, Drusius, V. L. Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; by which it seems as if these letters were carried by running footmen, men swift of foot; or rather they were running horses, on which men rode post with letters, and which the Persians called Angari; a scheme invented by Cyrus, for the quick dispatch of letters from place to... 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 3:12

Unto the king ' s lieutenants - אחשדרפני achashdarpeney . This is in all probability another Persian word, for there is nothing like it in the Hebrew language, nor can it be fairly deduced from any roots in that tongue. The Vulgate translates ad omnes satrapas regis , to all the satraps of the king. It is very likely that this is the true sense of the word, and that the אחשדרפני achsadrapani , as it may be pronounced, is the Chaldee or Hebrew corruption of the Persian word ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 3:13

To destroy , so kill , and to cause to perish - To put the whole of them to death in any manner, or by every way and means. Take the spoil of them for a prey - Thus, whoever killed a Jew had his property for his trouble! And thus the hand of every man was armed against this miserable people. Both in the Greek version and in the Latin the copy of this order is introduced at length, expressing "the king's desire to have all his dominions in quiet and... 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

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

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