Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Esther 3:12
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
Then were the king’s scribes called, on the thirteenth day of the first month, etc.] The month Nisan, (<170307>Esther 3:7), after Haman had leave and power from the king to destroy the Jews, and his ring given him in token of it; the king’s scribes or secretaries of state were called together on that day, to write the letters for that purpose: and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded; whatever he would have done; he had an unlimited power to do what he pleased, and he made use of it, and directed the scribes what they should write: unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province; the deputy governors of the one hundred and twenty seven provinces, (<170101>Esther 1:1) and to the rulers of every people of every province; it seems there were different people in every province, which had their rulers; and these were sent to: according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; and letters were written in the language, and character of the language, each people spoke, that they might be understood by them: in the name of King Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring. All this Haman took care to have done so early as the thirteenth of Nisan, though the execution was not to be until the thirteenth of Adar, eleven months after; partly that there might be time enough to send the letters everywhere, even to the most distant parts; and chiefly lest Ahasuerus should change his mind, and be prevailed upon to revoke his grant; and, it may be, either to keep the Jews in continual dread, or cause them to flee.
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