Esther 1:6

“Where were white, green, and blue hangings, etc.] Or curtains of fine linen, as the Targum, which were of these several colours; the first letter of the word for “white” is larger than usual, to denote the exceeding whiteness of them. The next word is “carpas”, which Ben Melech observes is a dyed colour, said to be green. Pausanias f40 makes mention of Carpasian linen, and which may be here meant; the last word used signifies blue, sky coloured, or hyacinth: fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings, and pillars of marble; these pillars are said, in the Targum, to be of divers colours, red, green, and shining yellow and white, on which the silver rings were fixed, and into…”

“Where were white, green, and blue hangings, &c.--The fashion, in the houses of the great, on festive occasions, was to decorate the chambers from the middle of the wall downward with damask or velvet hangings of variegated colors suspended on hooks, or taken down at pleasure. the beds were of gold and silver--that is, the couches on which, according to Oriental fashion, the guests reclined, and which were either formed entirely of gold and silver or inlaid with ornaments of those costly metals, stood on an elevated floor of parti-colored marble.”

“Rather, “where was an awning of fine white cotton and violet.” White and blue (or violet) were the royal colors in Persia. Such awnings as are here described were very suitable to the pillared halls and porches of a Persian summer-palace, and especially to the situation of that of Susa. The beds - Rather, “couches” or “sofas,” on which the guests reclined at meals. A pavement ... - See the margin. It is generally agreed that the four substances named are stones; but to identify the stones, or even their colors, is difficult. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Beds - For in those eastern countries, they did not then sit at tables as we do, but rested or leaned upon beds or couches. Esther 1:8”

“1:6 White and blue (or violet) were royal colors. Even the mosaic pavement was exquisitely opulent.”

“white: Exo 26:1, Exo 26:31, Exo 26:32, Exo 26:36, Exo 26:37 blue: or, violet, Est 8:15 the beds: These were couches, covered with gold and silver cloth, on which the guests reclined; for the Orientals do not sit, but recline at their meals. Est 7:8; Eze 23:41; Amo 2:8, Amo 6:4 red: etc. or, of porphyre, and marble, and alabaster, and stone of blue colour Esther 1:7”