Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
am 3552, bc 452
in the twelfth: Esther 3:7, Esther 3:13, Esther 8:12
hoped: Acts 12:11
though it was turned: Deuteronomy 32:36, 2 Samuel 22:41, Psalms 30:11, Isaiah 14:1, Isaiah 14:2, Isaiah 60:14-16, Revelation 11:18
Reciprocal: Genesis 49:28 - the twelve Ezra 6:15 - Adar Esther 9:17 - of the same Esther 9:18 - on the thirteenth Proverbs 11:11 - it Philippians 1:12 - rather
The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.
gathered: Esther 9:10, Esther 9:16, Esther 8:11
as sought: Deuteronomy 2:30, Joshua 11:20, Psalms 71:13, Psalms 71:24, Isaiah 8:9
the fear: Esther 8:17, Genesis 35:5, Exodus 23:27, Joshua 2:9
Reciprocal: Esther 9:15 - gathered themselves
And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.
the rulers: Esther 3:12, Esther 8:9, Ezra 8:36, Daniel 3:2, Daniel 6:1, Daniel 6:2
officers of the king: Heb. those which did the business that belonged to the king
the fear: Esther 3:2-6, Esther 8:5
Reciprocal: Esther 6:11 - and arrayed
For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
was great: Psalms 18:43
his fame: Joshua 6:27, 1 Samuel 2:30, 1 Chronicles 14:17, Zephaniah 3:19, Matthew 4:24
waxed: 2 Samuel 3:1, 1 Chronicles 11:9, Psalms 1:3, Proverbs 4:18, Isaiah 9:7
Reciprocal: Exodus 11:3 - Moses 2 Kings 5:1 - a great Esther 10:2 - advanced him Daniel 8:8 - waxed
Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.
smote: Psalms 18:34-40, Psalms 18:47, Psalms 18:48, Psalms 20:7, Psalms 20:8, Psalms 149:6-9, 2 Thessalonians 1:6
the stroke: Jeremiah 18:21
what they would: Heb. according to their will, The Chaldee paraphrast says that none appeared against the Jews but Amalekites only, who were infatuated, and had their hearts hardened, as Pharaoh's against Israel, to take up arms to their own destruction. Some had such an inveterate, implacable malice against the Jews, that Haman's fall and Mordecai's advancement, instead of convincing, seemed only to exasperate them the more. How have the most dreadful scourges ravaged a country, and yet the inhabitants are unmindful of the Almighty Disposer of events, and that the cause of his righteous displeasure is their continual provocation! Forty years long was he grieved with one generation, who learned not his ways, although daily fed and clothed by a miracle.
Reciprocal: Esther 3:7 - Adar Job 27:14 - children Psalms 129:5 - be confounded Isaiah 22:25 - the burden
And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
Shushan: Esther 3:15
Reciprocal: Proverbs 12:7 - wicked
And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 25:19 - thou shalt Esther 5:11 - the multitude
And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,
The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.
ten sons: Esther 5:11, Exodus 20:5, Job 18:18, Job 18:19, Job 27:13-15, Psalms 21:10, Psalms 109:12, Psalms 109:13
enemy: Esther 3:1, Esther 7:4, Esther 7:6, Exodus 17:16
but on the spoil: It does not appear that the Jews slew any person who did not rise up to destroy them: they stood for their lives; and gave full proof that they sought their own personal safety, and not the property of their enemies: though the decree in their favour gave them authority to take the property of all their adversaries. Esther 9:15, Esther 9:16, Esther 8:11, Genesis 14:23, Romans 12:17, Philippians 4:8
Reciprocal: Genesis 34:27 - spoiled 2 Samuel 21:6 - hang Esther 3:13 - the spoil Esther 9:2 - gathered Esther 9:24 - the enemy Daniel 6:24 - their children Amos 6:9 - if
On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.
was brought: Heb. came, Esther 9:11
Reciprocal: Esther 9:18 - on the thirteenth Daniel 8:2 - Shushan
And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.
what is thy petition: Esther 5:6, Esther 7:2
Reciprocal: Esther 1:2 - Shushan Esther 4:6 - the king's Esther 5:3 - What Esther 5:11 - the multitude Acts 23:19 - What
Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
If it please the king: Esther had probably been informed by Mordecai, that there were still many enemies of the Jews who sought their destruction, who had escaped the preceding day; and therefore begged that the second day might be added to the former permission; and that the sons of Haman, who had already been slain, might be suspended on gibbets, as a terror to those who sought the destruction of the Jews.
according unto: Esther 8:11
let Haman's ten sons be hanged: Heb. let men hang Haman's ten sons, Deuteronomy 21:23, 2 Samuel 21:6, 2 Samuel 21:9, Galatians 3:13
Reciprocal: Esther 5:11 - the multitude Esther 9:15 - gathered themselves Esther 9:18 - on the thirteenth Esther 9:25 - when Esther came
And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
Reciprocal: Numbers 24:20 - his latter end 2 Samuel 21:6 - hang Ezra 7:13 - I make Esther 9:25 - when Esther came Proverbs 12:7 - wicked Ecclesiastes 6:3 - and also Galatians 3:13 - for
For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.
gathered themselves: Esther 9:2, Esther 9:13, Esther 8:11, Psalms 118:7-12
but on the prey: Esther 9:10, Esther 9:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Hebrews 13:5
Reciprocal: Genesis 14:23 - That I Ezra 6:15 - Adar Esther 9:18 - on the thirteenth Ecclesiastes 6:3 - and also Daniel 8:2 - Shushan
But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,
gathered themselves: Esther 9:2, Esther 8:11
stood: Esther 8:11, Leviticus 26:7, Leviticus 26:8
Reciprocal: Genesis 14:23 - That I Genesis 34:27 - spoiled Esther 9:10 - but on the spoil Esther 9:15 - but on the prey
On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
of the same: Heb. in it, Esther 9:1, Esther 9:18, Esther 9:21, Esther 3:12, Esther 8:9
Reciprocal: Ezra 6:15 - Adar Esther 3:7 - Adar Esther 8:16 - had light Esther 8:17 - a feast
But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof; and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
on the thirteenth: Esther 9:1, Esther 9:11, Esther 9:13, Esther 9:15
Reciprocal: Esther 9:17 - of the same
Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
gladness: Esther 9:22, Esther 8:17, Deuteronomy 16:11, Deuteronomy 16:14, Nehemiah 8:10-12, Psalms 118:11-16, Luke 11:41, Revelation 11:10
sending portions: The eastern princes and people not only invite their friends to feasts, but it is their custom to send a portion of the banquet to those that cannot well attend, especially their relations, and those in a state of mourning. Thus, when the Grand Emir found that it incommoded M. D'Arvieux to eat with him, he desired him to take his own time for eating, and sent him from his kitchen what he liked best.
Reciprocal: Judges 5:7 - the villages 1 Samuel 25:8 - a good day Ezra 6:15 - Adar Ecclesiastes 11:2 - a portion
And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
Mordecai: That is, as the words imply, the history contained in this book; and not merely the letters afterwards mentioned, as some understand it.
wrote these: Exodus 17:14, Deuteronomy 31:19-22, 1 Chronicles 16:12, Psalms 124:1-3, Psalms 145:4-12, 2 Corinthians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 1:11
in all the provinces: Esther 1:1, Esther 1:22, Esther 3:12, Esther 8:9
Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 30:5 - established Esther 9:26 - letter Esther 9:29 - confirm Jeremiah 29:1 - of the letter
To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 30:5 - established Ezra 6:15 - Adar Esther 3:7 - Adar Esther 9:17 - of the same
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
the days: Esther 3:12, Esther 3:13, Exodus 13:3-8, Psalms 103:2, Isaiah 12:1, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 14:3
from sorrow: Psalms 30:11, Matthew 5:4, John 16:20-22
sending portions: Esther 9:19, Nehemiah 8:10-12, Luke 11:41, Acts 2:44-46, Galatians 2:10
Reciprocal: Judges 3:11 - the land Esther 2:18 - gave gifts Esther 8:17 - a feast Job 27:23 - clap Ecclesiastes 11:2 - a portion Isaiah 61:3 - beauty Jeremiah 31:13 - for Zechariah 8:19 - joy
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
the enemy: Esther 9:10, Esther 3:5-13
Pur: The word pur seems to be derived either from the Persian bahr and bar, a part, portion, lot, or pari, anything which happens fortuitously or fortunately; whence the annual festival in commemoration of the wonderful deliverance of the Jews from their enemies was called Purim, or in Arabic and Persian, Fuhr, or Lots; which has been observed by them, in all places of their dispersion, from that day to the present time, without any interruption. Esther 3:7
consume: Heb. crush
Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 21:5 - The man Isaiah 22:25 - the burden
But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
when Esther came: Heb. when she came, Esther 9:13, Esther 9:14, Esther 7:5-10, Esther 8:1-14
return: Psalms 7:16, Psalms 109:17, Psalms 109:18, Psalms 140:9, Psalms 141:10, Matthew 21:44
Reciprocal: Judges 9:24 - That the 2 Samuel 21:5 - The man Esther 7:9 - Hang him thereon Job 5:13 - taketh Psalms 146:9 - the way Proverbs 11:16 - gracious Proverbs 19:21 - many Isaiah 22:25 - the burden Daniel 6:24 - and they brought Micah 2:1 - to Luke 6:38 - with
Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,
they called: Numbers 16:40, Ezekiel 39:11
Pur: that is, Lot
letter: Esther 9:20
The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;
and upon their seed: Deuteronomy 5:3, Deuteronomy 29:14, Deuteronomy 29:15, Joshua 9:15, 1 Samuel 30:25, 2 Samuel 21:1, 2 Samuel 21:2
all such: Esther 8:17, Isaiah 56:3, Isaiah 56:6, Zechariah 2:11, Zechariah 8:23
fail: Heb. pass
Reciprocal: Esther 3:12 - according Esther 9:31 - and for their seed Psalms 78:7 - not forget
And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.
remembered: Exodus 12:17, Psalms 78:5-7, Psalms 103:2
fail: Heb. pass
the memorial: Exodus 13:8, Exodus 13:9, Joshua 4:7, Zechariah 6:14
perish from their seed: Heb. be ended from their seed
Reciprocal: Psalms 78:6 - That Psalms 78:7 - not forget
Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.
the daughter of Abihail: Esther 3:15
authority: Heb. strength
confirm: Esther 9:20, Esther 8:10
And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,
the hundred: Esther 1:1, Esther 8:9
words of peace: Isaiah 39:8, Zechariah 8:19
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:26 - with words 2 Kings 20:19 - peace and truth
To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.
themselves: Heb. their souls
and for their seed: Esther 9:27
the fastings: Esther 4:3, Esther 4:16, Jonah 3:2-9
And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.