6 So Haman H2001 came in. H935 And the king H4428 said H559 unto him, What shall be done H6213 unto the man H376 whom the king H4428 delighteth H2654 to honour? H3366 Now Haman H2001 thought H559 in his heart, H3820 To whom would the king H4428 delight H2654 to do H6213 honour H3366 more H3148 than to myself?
7 And Haman H2001 answered H559 the king, H4428 For the man H376 whom the king H4428 delighteth H2654 to honour, H3366
8 Let the royal H4438 apparel H3830 be brought H935 which the king H4428 useth to wear, H3847 and the horse H5483 that the king H4428 rideth H7392 upon, and the crown H3804 royal H4438 which is set H5414 upon his head: H7218
9 And let this apparel H3830 and horse H5483 be delivered H5414 to the hand H3027 of one H376 of the king's H4428 most noble H6579 princes, H8269 that they may array H3847 the man H376 withal whom the king H4428 delighteth H2654 to honour, H3366 and bring H7392 him on horseback H5483 through the street H7339 of the city, H5892 and proclaim H7121 before H6440 him, Thus shall it be done H6213 to the man H376 whom the king H4428 delighteth H2654 to honour. H3366
10 Then the king H4428 said H559 to Haman, H2001 Make haste, H4116 and take H3947 the apparel H3830 and the horse, H5483 as thou hast said, H1696 and do H6213 even so to Mordecai H4782 the Jew, H3064 that sitteth H3427 at the king's H4428 gate: H8179 let nothing H1697 fail H5307 of all that thou hast spoken. H1696
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Esther 6
Commentary on Esther 6 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 6
Es 6:1-14. Ahasuerus Rewards Mordecai for Former Service.
1. the king … commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles—In Eastern courts, there are scribes or officers whose duty it is to keep a journal of every occurrence worthy of notice. A book of this kind, abounding with anecdotes, is full of interest. It has been a custom with Eastern kings, in all ages, frequently to cause the annals of the kingdom to be read to them. It is resorted to, not merely as a pastime to while away the tedium of an hour, but as a source of instruction to the monarch, by reviewing the important incidents of his own life, as well as those of his ancestors. There was, therefore, nothing uncommon in this Persian monarch calling for the court journal. But, in his being unable to sleep at that particular juncture, in his ordering the book then to be read to him, and in his attention having been specially directed to the important and as yet unrewarded services of Mordecai, the immediate interposition of Providence is distinctly visible.
4. Now Haman was come into the outward court—This was early in the morning. It is the invariable custom for kings in Eastern countries to transact business before the sun is hot, often in the open air, and so Haman was in all probability come officially to attend on his master.
6. What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?—In bestowing tokens of their favor, the kings of Persia do not at once, and as it were by their own will, determine the kind of honor that shall be awarded; but they turn to the courtier standing next in rank to themselves, and ask him what shall be done to the individual who has rendered the service specified; and according to the answer received, the royal mandate is issued.
8. the royal apparel … which the king useth to wear—A coat which has been on the back of a king or prince is reckoned a most honorable gift, and is given with great ceremony.
the horse that the king rideth upon—Persia was a country of horses, and the highbred charger that the king rode upon acquired, in the eyes of his venal subjects, a sort of sacredness from that circumstance.
and the crown royal which is set upon his head—either the royal turban, or it may be a tiara, with which, on state processions, the horse's head was adorned.
9. delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes … array the man—On grand and public occasions, the royal steed is led by the highest subject through the principal streets of the city, a ceremony which may occupy several hours.
11. Then Haman took, &c.—This sudden reverse, however painful to Haman as an individual, is particularly characteristic of the Persian manners.
14. came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared—Besides the invitation given to an entertainment, a message is always sent to the guests, immediately at the day and hour appointed, to announce that all things are ready.