HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

ESTHER 11

CHAPTER XI.

Ver. 1. Cleopatra. So the kings and queens of Egypt were styled after Lagus; whence we can only gather, that this translation was brought after the reign of Alexander, and most probably under Philometer, the sixth of his successors. He was a great admirer of the Jews, and employed one Dositheus as his general, who might be the priest here mentioned; as such an office was not incompatible with his character. T. --- Usher is of this opinion. See Jos. con. Ap. ii. But would he then be mentioned as if he had been a person almost unknown? C. --- We may say that he only raised himself by merit, after this time. H. --- Philometer reigned 177 years, B.C. The Sept. (C.) who gave their version in the 7th year of Philadelphus, (S. Epip.) were not the authors of the Greek edition of Esther; (C.) or perhaps, they may have adopted this of Lysimachus, (Huet. D.) as far as it went; the letter of Purim being only the groundwork of this history. If they did, Lysimachus must have lived before the time of Philometer; or what seems as probable, (H.) that the celebrated version has been made by different authors, and at different times. Hody. --- Jerusalem. Here S. Jerom subjoins, "This beginning was also in the Vulg. edition, which does not occur in Hebrew or any interpreter," (H.) except the Sept. W. --- This must be referred to what follows.

Ver. 2. Second year, the same when Darius gave an edict for building the temple, (1 Esd. iv. T.) and the year before the great feast, (C. i. 3.) when the Jews little thought of such danger hanging over them. C. W. --- Benjamin. C. ii. 5. we read Jemini, which shews that they have the same import. T.

Ver. 3. Court, afterwards. C. --- He had a dream in the second year. Houbigant.

Ver. 4. Juda. This has been noticed already. C. ii. 5. But we need not be surprized at such repetitions. We find the like in the books of Moses, and 1 K. xvi. 10. and xvii. 12. &c. H. --- S. Jerom says, "Librum Esther variis translatoribus constat esse vitiatum;" or, various historical documents may have been improperly inserted in the Greek, though they be true; and therefore S. Jerom has rightly removed the to the end. Houbigant.

Ver. 7. Cry. While Aman was full of indignation against Mardochai, and the latter would not submit to adore him, the various nations of the empire were instigated to fall upon the Jews. H.

Ver. 10. Waters. Esther, by her tears, extinguished the rising flame. W.

Ver. 11. Rose up. A bright sun (T.) represented God, (C.) or the king. Grotius.

Ver. 12. Signify. He was convinced that it was from heaven. C.