---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "Now it came to pass in the days of. See important note of Rabbinical commentators on Genesis 14:1 .  Ahasuerus = the venerable king. An appellative, like"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/esther/1"
---

**Now it came to pass in the days of.** See important note of Rabbinical commentators on [Genesis 14:1](../../../kjv/genesis/14/1) .
**Ahasuerus** = the venerable king. An appellative, like Pharaoh, Czar, Shah, &c. See notes on p. 618 and App-57 and App-68 .
**this.** Implying that others were so called, from whom lie is to be distinguished. This Ahasuerus was Astyages (Greek), Arsames (Persian). See App-67 and App-58 . "This Ahasuerus" emphasizes the one who was specially renowned. Figure of speech *Parenthesis.*
**from India even unto Ethiopia:** i.e. the two extreme boundaries of the known world.
**an hundred and seven and twenty provinces.** [Daniel 6:1](../../../kjv/daniel/6/1) says 120 princes. The number continually altered to suit the requirements of government. Only in [Daniel 6:1](../../../kjv/daniel/6/1) do we find 120. Plato says that "when Darius (i.e. 'the Maintainer' = Astyages) came to the throne, being one of the seven, he divided the country into seven portions" ( *De Legibus* iii). These are the seven named in verses: [Esther 1:13-14](../../../kjv/esther/1/13-14) . When Babylon afterward fell into his hands, he divided his newly acquired kingdom into 120 part3 ([Daniel 9:1](../../../kjv/daniel/9/1) . Compare [Esther 6:1](../../../kjv/esther/6/1) ). Why should he not have added these to the seven he already possessed, and thus have made the 127 of [Esther 1:1](../../../kjv/esther/1/1) ; [Esther 9:30](../../../kjv/esther/9/30) ? In the later days of Darius (Hystaspis) these had reduced to twenty-three, as stated and named on the *Behistun* inscription.

**in those days:** i.e. the days when these events took place. At other times he dwelt at Ecbatana, or elsewhere. [Esther 1:1](../../../kjv/esther/1/1) mentions the ruler; [Esther 1:2](../../../kjv/esther/1/2) , the place; [Esther 1:1](../../../kjv/esther/1/1) , the time.
**sat** = took his seat, or came to.
**Shushan.** Now, the ruins of *Susa,* on the river Shapur, east of Persian Gulf.
**palace** = castle, or fortress. Compare [Nehemiah 1:1](../../../kjv/nehemiah/1/1) .

**the third year:** i.e. in 471; six years after the destruction of Jerusalem. Astyages now seventeen or
**commandment.** Hebrew. *dabar =* word, precept. Occurs [Esther 1:19](../../../kjv/esther/1/19) ; [Esther 2:8](../../../kjv/esther/2/8) ; [Esther 3:15](../../../kjv/esther/3/15) ; [Esther 8:14](../../../kjv/esther/8/14) , [Esther 8:17](../../../kjv/esther/8/17) . See note on [Esther 1:10](../../../kjv/esther/1/10) .
**eighteen years.** See App-50 . In this year Xerxes (who is supposed to be this king), according to *Herod.* vii. 8, and *Diod. Sic.* xi. 2, was preparing his expedition against Greece; whereas this chapter presupposes a season of peace and quiet.
**a feast.** For its own sake. No reason is given.
**power.** Put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Effect), App-6 , for those who exercised it: viz. the people of power.
**Persia and Media.** In this book this is always the order, except [Esther 10:2](../../../kjv/esther/10/2) . In Daniel it is the reverse.

**an hundred and fourscore days.** This was to allow all peoples to be feasted in turn. Not all at the same time; or one feast of that duration.

**palace** = house, or, large house.

**beds** = couches.

**the vessels.** Note the frequent *Parentheses* ( App-6 ) in verses: [Esther 1:1](../../../kjv/esther/1/1) , [Esther 1:7](../../../kjv/esther/1/7) , [Esther 1:13](../../../kjv/esther/1/13) , [Esther 1:14](../../../kjv/esther/1/14) , [Esther 1:20](../../../kjv/esther/1/20) .
**wine.** Hebrew. *yayin.* App-27 .

**law.** Heb, *dath =* royal decree, or special mandate, as in verses: [Esther 1:1](../../../kjv/esther/1/1) , [Esther 1:13](../../../kjv/esther/1/13) , [Esther 1:15](../../../kjv/esther/1/15) , [Esther 1:19](../../../kjv/esther/1/19) ; [Esther 3:8](../../../kjv/esther/3/8) ; [Esther 4:11](../../../kjv/esther/4/11) , [Esther 4:16](../../../kjv/esther/4/16) .

**Vashti.** The daughter of Alyattes (king of Lydia), married by Cyaxares to his son Astyages after the battle of Halys. See App-57 .

**commanded.** Hebrew. *'amar.* So rendered in verses: [Esther 1:1](../../../kjv/esther/1/1) , [Esther 1:15](../../../kjv/esther/1/15) , [Esther 1:17](../../../kjv/esther/1/17) ; [Esther 2:20](../../../kjv/esther/2/20) ; [Esther 4:13](../../../kjv/esther/4/13) ; [Esther 6:1](../../../kjv/esther/6/1) ; [Esther 9:14](../../../kjv/esther/9/14) , [Esther 9:25](../../../kjv/esther/9/25) . Note the different words rendered "command" and "decree" in this book.
**seven chamberlains** = seven eunuchs. This shows the minuteness of the writer's knowledge.

**people** = peoples.

**refused.** Probably because sent for by servants; not by the nobles ([Esther 1:3](../../../kjv/esther/1/3) ), and before the "peoples" ([Esther 1:5](../../../kjv/esther/1/5) ).

**for.** See note on the parentheses, [Esther 1:7](../../../kjv/esther/1/7) .

**ladies** = princesses.

**not altered.** Compare [Daniel 6:8](../../../kjv/daniel/6/8) .

**decree prescript.** Only here and [Ecclesiastes 8:11](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/8/11) .
**it is great:** i.e. the decree is important.
**ALL THE WIVES SHALL GIVE.** This is the first of the five *Acrostics* ( App-6 ), exhibiting in the initials the Divine name. See App-60 .

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