*H And he commanded her (no doubt but he was Mardochai) to go to the king, and petition for her people, and for her country.
Ver. 1. S. Jerom says, "These additions I also found in the Vulg. edition." H. — This history is more succinctly related. C. v. C. — Her. Lit. "And he commanded her (no doubt Mardochai did Esther) to go," &c. The parenthesis was added by S. Jerom. H.
* Footnote * Genesis 33 : 10
And Jacob said: Do not so I beseech thee, but if I have found favour in thy eyes, receive a little present at my hands: for I have seen thy face, as if I should have seen the countenance of God: be gracious to me,* Footnote * 2_Kings 14 : 17
Then let thy handmaid say, that the word of the Lord the king be made as a sacrifice. For even as an angel of God, so is my lord the king, that he is neither moved with blessing nor cursing: wherefore the Lord thy God is also with thee.*H Remember, (said he,) the days of thy low estate, how thou wast brought up by my hand, because Aman the second after the king hath spoken against us unto death.
Ver. 2. Remember. This is not here in Greek, but more regularly. C. iv. 8. C.
*H And do thou call upon the Lord, and speak to the king for us, and deliver us from death.
Ver. 3. Death. S. Jerom subjoins, I found there "also what follows."
*H And on the third day she laid away the garments she wore, and put on her glorious apparel.
Ver. 4. Day. Gr. adds, "as she had finished her prayer." — Wore. Lit. "of her ornament." But the Greek has properly, (H.) "of her mourning." M.
*H And glittering in royal robes, after she had called upon God the ruler and Saviour of all, she took two maids with her,
Ver. 5. Glittering. Gr. "and was resplendent after," &c.
*H And upon one of them she leaned, as if for delicateness and overmuch tenderness she were not able to bear up her own body.
Ver. 6. As if. Gr. "as being delicate. But the other followed, holding up her garment. But she, blushing in the height of her beauty, with a cheerful and most lovely countenance, felt the pressure of fear on her heart."
*H And when he had lifted up his countenance, and with burning eyes had shewn the wrath of his heart, the queen sunk down, and her colour turned pale, and she rested her weary head upon her handmaid.
Ver. 10. Eyes. Gr. adds, "with glory," with which he was surrounded. This made him at first resent the coming in of women uncalled, till he perceived Esther, and saw her fainting. H. — Capellus would represent this conduct of the king as ridiculous, and contrary to the true history. But this is false: and he improperly renders αγωνιασας, regem concidisse & animo defecisse; as if the king had fallen down in a swoon; whereas it only means that he experienced those sentiments of anxiety which every good husband would do on the like occasion. Houbig. C. v. 2. — Assuerus had at first only perceived the maid, who went before the queen, and the hall was very spacious. Houbig. — Pale. Gr. "in a fainting-fit, and she leaned upon the head of her maid, (Abra.) who was going before."
*H And God changed the king's spirit into mildness, and all in haste and in fear he leaped from his throne, and holding her up in his arms, till she came to herself, caressed her with these words:
Ver. 11. All. Gr. "being in an agony, he," &c. — Caressed. Gr. "comforted her with words of peace, and said to her, What," &c. H.
*H What is the matter, Esther? I am thy brother, fear not.
Ver. 12. Brother; (united by the closest bands. Cant. viii. 1. C.) Gr. "Take courage, Thou," &c.
*H Thou shalt not die: for this law is not made for thee, but for all others.
Ver. 13. Others, is not expressed; (H.) and Esther might well suppose that she was included, as she probably was, (C. iv. 11. Capellus) though the king now altered his mind. Houbig. — Gr. "our decree is common," made for our subjects. According to the Roman law, the empress enjoyed the like privileges as her husband. C.
*H Come near then, and touch the sceptre.
Ver. 14. Then. Gr. "and taking the golden septre, he laid," &c.
*H And as she held her peace, he took the golden sceptre, and laid it upon her neck, and kissed her, and said: Why dost thou not speak to me?
Ver. 15. Why. Gr. "speak to me; and she said to him." H.
*H She answered: I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty.
Ver. 16. Angel. The Chaldees had the same notions as the Jews about angels; and the latter never shewed more devotion towards them than after the captivity, when the Scriptures speak more plainly on this subject. Jacob compares his brother Esau to an angel, (C.) or to God. Gen. xxxiii. 10. See also 1 K. xxix. 9. and 2 K. xiv. 17. H.
*H And while she was speaking, she fell down again, and was almost in a swoon.
Ver. 18. Almost. Lit. "almost dead." Gr. "she fell in a fainting fit."