HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

ESTHER 15

CHAPTER XV.

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.

Ver. 2. Remember. This is not here in Greek, but more regularly. C. iv. 8. C.

Ver. 3. Death. S. Jerom subjoins, I found there "also what follows."

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.

Ver. 5. Glittering. Gr. "and was resplendent after," &c.

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."

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 her 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 agwniasaV, 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."

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.

Ver. 12. Brother; (united by the closest bands. Cant. viii. 1. C.) Gr. "Take courage, Thou," &c.

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.

Ver. 14. Then. Gr. "and taking the golden septre, he laid," &c.

Ver. 15. Why. Gr. "speak to me; and she said to him." H.

Ver. 16. Angel. The Chaldees had the same notion 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.

Ver. 18. Almost. Lit. "almost dead." Gr. "she fell in a fainting fit."