The Iewes kil their enemies which would haue killed them. 6. namely the tenne sonns of Aman are hanged on gallowes, 13. more slaine the next day. 17. the day folowing is made holie, and so to be kept euerie yeare.
1So on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which as we have said above is called Adar, when all the Jews were designed to be massacred, and their enemies were greedy after their blood, the case being altered, the Jews began to have the upper hand, and to revenge themselves of their adversaries.Quindi è che il duodecimo mese, il quale come già abbia detto, è chiamato Adar, ai tredici del mese, quando per tutti i Giudei era preparato l'esterminio, e i loro nemici volean dissetarsi del loro sangue, cangiate le cose, principiarono i Giudei a star di sopra, e a prender vendetta de' loro avversari.THERFORE in the thirtenth day of the twelth moneth, which we haue said now before to be called Adar, when slaughter was prepared for al the Iewes, and their enemies gaped after their bloud, the case being changed to the contrarie, the Iewes began to be superiours, and to reuenge them selues of their aduersaries.Igitur duodecimi mensis, quem Adar vocari ante jam diximus, tertiadecima die, quando cunctis Judæis interfectio parabatur, et hostes eorum inhiabant sanguini, versa vice Judæi superiores esse cœperunt, et se de adversariis vindicare. 2And they gathered themselves together in every city, and town, and place, to lay their hands on their enemies, and their persecutors. And no one durst withstand them, for the fear of their power had gone through every people.E si adunarono in tutte le città, e castelli, e luoghi, per assalire i lor nemici, e persecutori: e nissuno ardi di resistere, perchè il timore della loro grandezza si era impossessato di tutti i popoli.And they were gathered together in euerie citie, and towne, and place, to extend their hand against their enemies, and their persecutors. And none durst resist, because the feare of their greatnes did penetrate al peoples.Congregatique sunt per singulas civitates, oppida, et loca, ut extenderent manum contra inimicos, et persecutores suos. Nullusque ausus est resistere, eo quod omnes populos magnitudinis eorum formido penetrarat. 3And the judges of the provinces, and the governors, and lieutenants, and every one in dignity, that presided over every place and work, extolled the Jews for fear of Mardochai:Imperocché anche i giudici delle Provincie, e i governatori, e i procuratori, e tutte le dignità, che presedevano in ciascun luogo' ai lavori, prestavan favore a' Giudei per timore di Mardocheo,For both the iudges of the prouinces, and captaynes, and lieutenantes, and euerie dignitie, that was chiefe ouer euerie place and worke, extolled the Iewes for feare of Mardocheus:Nam et provinciarum judices, et duces, et procuratores, omnisque dignitas quæ singulis locis ac operibus præerat, extollebant Judæos timore Mardochæi, 4For they knew him to be prince of the palace, and to have great power: and the fame of his name increased daily, and was spread abroad through all men’s mouths.Il quale sapevano, che era principe del palazzo, e che poteva assaissimo: e la rinomanza di lui cresceva ogni giorno, e volava di bocca in bocca.whom they knew to be prince of the palace, and to be able to doe very much: the fame also of his name increased dayly, and flew abroad through al mens mouthes.quem principem esse palatii, et plurimum posse cognoverant: fama quoque nominis ejus crescebat quotidie, et per cunctorum ora volitabat.
5So the Jews made a great slaughter of their enemies, and killed them, repaying according to what they had prepared to do to them:Così i Giudei fecero grande strage de' lor nemici, e li trucidavano rendendo loro quello, che avean preparato per essi:Therfore the Iewes stroke their enemies with a great slaughter, and slew them, repaying them that which they had prepared to doe to them:Itaque percusserunt Judæi inimicos suos plaga magna, et occiderunt eos, reddentes eis quod sibi paraverant facere: 6Insomuch that even in Susan they killed five hundred men, besides the ten sons of Aman the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews: whose names are these:Talmente che in Susa stessa uccisero cinquecento persone, oltre i dieci figliuoli di Aman figliuolo di Agag, nemico de' Giudei, de' quali figliuoli i nomi son questi:in so much that in Susan also they killed fiue hundred men, besides the tenne sonnes of Aman the Agagite the enemie of the Iewes: whose names be these:in tantum ut etiam in Susan quingentos viros interficerent, extra decem filios Aman Agagitæ hostis Judæorum: quorum ista sunt nomina: 7Pharsandatha, and Delphon, and EsphathaPharsandata, e Delphon, ed Esphata,Pharsandatha, and Delphon, and Esphatha,Pharsandatha, et Delphon, et Esphatha, 8And Phoratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,E Phorata, e Adalia, e Aridata,and Phoratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha.et Phoratha, et Adalia, et Aridatha, 9And Phermesta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Jezatha.E Phermesta, e Arisai, e Aridai, e Jezata.and Phormesta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Iezatha.et Phermesta, et Arisai, et Aridai, et Jezatha. 10And when they had slain them, they would not touch the spoils of their goods.Uccisi i quali, non vollero toccare, né predar nulla delle loro sostanze.Whom when they had slaine, they would not take prayes of their goodes.Quos cum occidissent, prædas de substantiis eorum tangere noluerunt. 11And presently the number of them that were killed in Susan was brought to the king.Or fu subito riferito al re il numero di quelli, che erano stati uccisi in Susa:And by and by the number of them that were killed in Susan, was brought to the king.Statimque numerus eorum, qui occisi erant in Susan, ad regem relatus est. 12And he said to the queen: The Jews have killed five hundred men in the city of Susan, besides the ten sons of Aman: how many dost thou think they have slain in all the provinces? What askest thou more, and what wilt thou have me to command to be done?Ed ei disse alla regina: Nella città di Susa i Giudei hanno ucciso cinquecento persone, e di più dieci figliuoli di Aman: quanto grande credi tu, che sia la strage, ch'ei fanno in tutte le provincie? che chiedi di più, e che vuoi ch'io comandi che si faccia?Who said to the queene: In the citie of Susan the Iewes haue killed fiue hundred men, besides the ten sonnes of Aman: how great a slaughter thinkest thou doe they make in al the prouinces? what askest thou more, & what wilt thou that I cōmand to be done?Qui dixit reginæ: In urbe Susan interfecerunt Judæi quingentos viros, et alios decem filios Aman: quantam putas eos exercere cædem in universis provinciis ? quid ultra postulas, et quid vis ut fieri jubeam ?
13And she answered: If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews, to do to morrow in Susan as they have done to day, and that the ten sons of Aman may be hanged upon gibbets.Ed ella rispose: Se così piace al re, sia data permissione a' Giudei, che come oggi hanno fatto in Susa, così facciano anche domani, e che i dieci figliuoli di Aman siano appesi al patibolo.To whom she answered: If it please the king, let there authoritie be geuen to the Iewes, that as they haue done to day in Susan, so also they may doe to morow, and that the tenne sonnes of Aman be hanged on gibbettes.Cui illa respondit: Si regi placet, detur potestas Judæis, ut sicut fecerunt hodie in Susan, sic et cras faciant, et decem filii Aman in patibulis suspendantur. 14And the king commanded that it should be so done. And forthwith the edict was hung up in Susan, and the ten sons of Aman were hanged.E il re ordinò, che così fosse fatto; e subito ne fu affisso l'editto in Susa, e i dieci figliuoli di Aman furono appiccati.And the king commanded that it should be so done. And forth with the edict hong in Susan, and the tenne sonnes of Aman were hanged.Præcepitque rex ut ita fieret. Statimque in Susan pependit edictum, et decem filii Aman suspensi sunt. 15And on the fourteenth day of the month Adar the Jews gathered themselves together, and they killed in Susan three hundred men: but they took not their substance.Raunatisi i Giudei a' quattordici del mese di Adar, furono uccisi in Susa trecento uomini: ma non furon da essi saccheggiate le loro sostanze.The fourthtenth day of the moneth Adar the Iewes being gathered together, there were killed in Susan three hundred men: neither was their substance spoyled by them.Congregatis Judæis quartadecima die mensis Adar, interfecti sunt in Susan trecenti viri: nec eorum ab illis direpta substantia est. 16Moreover through all the provinces which were subject to the king’s dominion the Jews stood for their lives, and slew their enemies and persecutors: insomuch that the number of them that were killed amounted to seventy-five thousand, and no man took any of their goods.E parimente in tutte le provincie soggette all'impero del re; i Giudei si unirono per loro difesa, uccidendo i loro nemici, e persecutori, talmente che il numero degli uccisi arrivò a settanta cinque mila; ma nessuno toccò alcuna cosa delle loro sostanze.Yea and through al prouinces, which were subiect to the kings dominion, the Iewes stood for their liues, their enemies and persecutors being slayne: in so much that there was fully seuentie fiue thousand of them that were killed, and no man tooke any of their goodes.Sed et per omnes provincias quæ ditioni regis subjacebant, pro animabus suis steterunt Judæi, interfectis hostibus ac persecutoribus suis: in tantum ut septuaginta quinque millia occisorum implerentur, et nullus de substantiis eorum quidquam contingeret.
17Now the thirteenth day of the month Adar was the first day with them all of the slaughter, and on the fourteenth day they left off. Which they ordained to be kept holy day, so that all times hereafter they should celebrate it with feasting, joy, and banquets.Il dì tredici del mese di Adar principiò dappertutto la uccisione, e il dì quattordici cessarono di uccidere; e questo dì ordinarono, che sarebbe un dì solenne, e che per tutti i seguenti tempi sarebbe celebrato con gaudio, e con festini, e banchetti.And the thirtenth day of the moneth Adar was the first day with them al of the slaughter, & the fourtenth day they ceased to kil. Which they ordayned to be solemne, so that in it at al times afterward they gaue them selues to good chere, mirth & bankets.Dies autem tertiusdecimus mensis Adar primus apud omnes interfectionis fuit, et quartadecima die cædere desierunt. Quem constituerunt esse solemnem, ut in eo omni tempore deinceps vacarent epulis, gaudio, atque conviviis. 18But they that were killing in the city of Susan, were employed in the slaughter on the thirteenth and fourteenth day of the same month: and on the fifteenth day they rested. And therefore they appointed that day to be a holy day of feasting and gladness.Ma quelli, che fecer l'uccisione nella città di Susa, la fecero il dì tredici, e il dì quattordici dello stesso mese, e cessaron di uccidere ai quindici; e per questo lo stesso giorno ordinaron, che si selennizzasse con banchetti, e allegrie.But they that made the slaughter in the citie of Susan, were occupied in the slaughter the thirtenth and fourtenth day of the same moneth: and in the fiftenth day they ceased to kil. And therfore they ordayned the same a solemne day of good cheere and ioyfulnes.At hi, qui in urbe Susan cædem exercuerant, tertiodecimo et quartodecimo die ejusdem mensis in cæde versati sunt: quintodecimo autem die percutere desierunt. Et idcirco eumdem diem constituerunt solemnem epularum atque lætitiæ. 19But those Jews that dwelt in towns not walled and in villages, appointed the fourteenth day of the month Adar for banquets and gladness, so as to rejoice on that day, and send one another portions of their banquets and meats.Ma que' Giudei, che dimoravano ne' castelli non murati, e ne' villaggi, destinarono alle allegrezze, e ai conviti il giorno decimo quarto del mese di Adar, onde in quel dì fanno gran festa, e si mandano scambievolmente dei piatti, e delle vivande.But those Iewes, that abode in townes not walled and villages, ordayned the fourtenth day of the moneth Adar for bankettes and ioy, so that they reioyse in it, and send one an other portions of bankets and meates.Hi vero Judæi, qui in oppidis non muratis ac villis morabantur, quartumdecimum diem mensis Adar conviviorum et gaudii decreverunt, ita ut exultent in eo, et mittant sibi mutuo partes epularum et ciborum. 20And Mardochai wrote all these things, and sent them comprised in letters to the Jews that abode in all the king’s provinces, both those that lay near and those afar off,Mardocheo pertanto scrisse tutte queste cose in una lettera, che egli mandò a' Giudei abitanti in tutte le Provincie del re sì vicine, come rimote,Mardocheus therfore wrote al these things, and being comprised in letters sent them to the Iewes, that abode in al the kings prouinees, as wel those that lay neere, as far of,Scripsit itaque Mardochæus omnia hæc, et litteris comprehensa misit ad Judæos qui in omnibus regis provinciis morabantur, tam in vicino positis, quam procul, 21That they should receive the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the month Adar for holy days, and always at the return of the year should celebrate them with solemn honour:Affinchè il quartodecimo, e il quintodecimo giorno del mese Adar gli avessero in conto di giorni festivi, e li celebrassero d'anno in anno in perpetuo con onore solenne;that they should take the fourtenth and fiftenth day of the moneth Adar for feastes, and the yeare alwayes returning should celebrate them with solemne honour:ut quartamdecimam et quintamdecimam diem mensis Adar pro festis susciperent, et revertente semper anno solemni celebrarent honore:
22Because on those days the Jews revenged themselves of their enemies, and their mourning and sorrow were turned into mirth and joy, and that these should be days of feasting and gladness, in which they should send one to another portions of meats, and should give gifts to the poor.Perchè in que' giorni i Giudei preser vendetta de' loro nemici, e il lutto, e la malinconia fu cangiata in festa, e in gaudio; onde questi giorni erano giorni di banchetti, e di letizia, e doveano mandarsi reciprocamente de' piatti, e fare de' presenti ai poverelli.because in the same dayes the Iewes reuenged them selues of their enemies, and mourning and sorrow were turned into mirth and ioy, and that these should be dayes of good cheere and gladnesse, and they should send one to an other portions of meates, and should geue giftes to the poore.quia in ipsis diebus se ulti sunt Judæi de inimicis suis, et luctus atque tristitia in hilaritatem gaudiumque conversa sunt, essentque dies isti epularum atque lætitiæ, et mitterent sibi invicem ciborum partes, et pauperibus munuscula largirentur. 23And the Jews undertook to observe with solemnity all they had begun to do at that time, which Mardochai by letters had commanded to be done.E gli Ebrei presero per rito solenne tutte quelle cose, che principiarono a fare in quel tempo, e le quali Mardocheo con sue' lettere avea prescritto loro di fare.And the Iewes receiued into a solemne rite al things, which they had begune to doe at that time, and which Mardocheus by letters had commanded to be done.Susceperuntque Judæi in solemnem ritum cuncta quæ eo tempore facere cœperant, et quæ Mardochæus litteris facienda mandaverat. 24For Aman, the son of Amadathi of the race of Agag, the enemy and adversary of the Jews, had devised evil against them, to kill them and destroy them; and had cast Phur, that is, the lot.Perocché Aman figliuolo di Amadati, della stirpe di Agag, nemico, e persecutor de' Giudei macchinò la loro rovina, e di trucidarli, e sterminarli, e gettò le sorti, o sia in nostro linguaggio il Phur.For Aman, the sonne of Amadathi of the stocke of Agag, the enemie and aduersarie of the Iewes, purposed euil against them, to kil them and destroy them: and he cast Phur, which in our language is turned, a lot.Aman enim, filius Amadathi stirpis Agag, hostis et adversarius Judæorum, cogitavit contra eos malum, ut occideret illos atque deleret: et misit phur, quod nostra lingua vertitur in sortem. 25And afterwards Esther went in to the king, beseeching him that his endeavours might be made void by the king’s letters: and the evil that he had intended against the Jews, might return upon his own head. And so both he and his sons were hanged upon gibbets.E dipoi Esther si presentò al re supplicando, che i tentativi di lui fossero renduti vani mediante lettera del re, e che il male, ch'egli avea pensato di fare agli Ebrei, ricadesse sulla sua testa; e alla fine misero in croce lui, e i suoi figliuoli.And afterward Esther went in to the king, beseching that his endeuours might by the kings letters be made voyde: & the euil that he had intended against the Iewes, might returne vpon his owne head. Finally they hong both him and his sonnes vpon the gallowes,Et postea ingressa est Esther ad regem, obsecrans ut conatus ejus litteris regis irriti fierent, et malum quod contra Judæos cogitaverat, reverteretur in caput ejus. Denique et ipsum et filios ejus affixerunt cruci,
26And since that time these days are called Phurim, that is, of lots: because Phur, that is, the lot, was cast into the urn. And all things that were done, are contained in the volume of this epistle, that is, of this book:E da quel tempo in poi que' giorni furono detti Phurim, cioè delle sorti, perchè il Phur, o sia la sorte fu gettata nell'urna. E tutti questi avvenimenti si contengono nel volume di questa lettera, o sia di questo libro;and since that time these dayes are called Phurim, that is, of Lottes: because Phur, that is, a lot, was cast into the pot. And al things, that were done, are contayned in the volume of this epistle, that is, of this booke:atque ex illo tempore dies isti appellati sunt phurim, id est sortium: eo quod phur, id est sors, in urnam missa fuerit. Et cuncta quæ gesta sunt, epistolæ, id est, libri hujus volumine, continentur: 27And the things that they suffered, and that were afterwards changed, the Jews took upon themselves and their seed, and upon all that had a mind to be joined to their religion, so that it should be lawful for none to pass these days without solemnity: which the writing testifieth, and certain times require, as the years continually succeed one another.E in memoria di quel, che patirono, e della mutazione, che sopravvenne, i Giudei obbligaron se stessi, e i lor discendenti, e tutti quelli, che volessero unirsi nella lor religione, onde a nissuno sia lecito di passare questi due giorni senza solennità, come da questo scritto apparisce, e ne fissarono il tempo in perpetuo per gli anni susseguenti.and the thinges that they susteyned, and that were afterward changed, the Iewes tooke vpon them selues and their seede, and vpon al, that would be ioyned to theyr religion, that it should be lawful for none to passe without solemnitie these dayes: which the writing testifieth, and certaine times require, as yeares continually succede one an other.quæque sustinuerunt, et quæ deinceps immutata sunt, susceperunt Judæi super se et semen suum, et super cunctos qui religioni eorum voluerunt copulari, ut nulli liceat duos hos dies absque solemnitate transigere, quos scriptura testatur, et certa expetunt tempora, annis sibi jugiter succedentibus. 28These are the days which shall never be forgot: and which all provinces in the whole world shall celebrate throughout all generations: neither is there any city wherein the days of Phurim, that is, of lots, must not be observed by the Jews, and by their posterity, which is bound to these ceremonies.Questi son giorni, che non saranno giammai posti in dimenticanza, e da tutte le generazioni, e in tutte le provincie saranno celebrati: e alcuna città non è, dove non siano solennizzati da' Giudei, e dalla loro stirpe obbligata a queste ceremonie.These are daies, which no obliuion shal euer put out: and al prouinces in al the world shal celebrate through out al generations: neither is there any citie, wherein the daies of Phurim, that is, of lottes, must not be obserued of the Iewes, and of their progenie, which is bound to these ceremonies.Isti sunt dies, quos nulla umquam delebit oblivio, et per singulas generationes cunctæ in toto orbe provinciæ celebrabunt: nec est ulla civitas, in qua dies phurim, id est sortium, non observentur a Judæis, et ab eorum progenie, quæ his cæremoniis obligata est. 29And Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mardochai the Jew, wrote also a second epistle, that with all diligence this day should be established a festival for the time to come.Ed Esther regina figliuola di Abihail, e Mardocheo Giudeo scrissero anche una seconda lettera, affinchè con ogni premura si stabilisse la solennità di quel giorno pe' tempi avvenire:And Esther the queene the daughter of Abihail, and Mardocheus the Iew wrote also the second epistle, that with al diligence this day should be established solemne for the time to come.Scripseruntque Esther regina filia Abihail, et Mardochæus Judæus, etiam secundam epistolam, ut omni studio dies ista solemnis sanciretur in posterum:
30And they sent to all the Jews that were in the hundred and twenty-seven provinces of king Assuerus, that they should have peace, and receive truth,E la mandarono a tutti i Giudei, che dimoravano nelle cento ventisette provincie del re Assuero, affinchè vivessero in pace, e tenesser la verità,and they sent to al the Iewes, that were in the hundred and seuen and twentie prouinces of king Assuerus, that they should haue peace, and receiue truth,et miserunt ad omnes Judæos qui in centum viginti septem provinciis regis Assueri versabantur, ut haberent pacem, et susciperent veritatem, 31And observe the days of lots, and celebrate them with joy in their proper time: as Mardochai and Esther had appointed, and they undertook them to be observed by themselves and by their seed, fasts, and cries, and the days of lots,Osservando i giorni delle sorti, e celebrandoli nel suo tempo con gaudio: e quelli, conforme era stato prescritto da Esther, e da Mardocheo, e per se, e pei loro posteri abbracciarono l'osservanza de' digiuni, de' clamori, e dei giorni delle sorti,obseruing the Daies of lottes, and in their time should celebrate them with ioy: as Mardocheus and Esther had appoynted, and they tooke vpon them to be obserued of them selues, and of their seede, fastes, and cries, and the daies of Lottes,observantes dies sortium, et suo tempore cum gaudio celebrarent: sicut constituerant Mardochæus et Esther, et illi observanda susceperunt a se, et a semine suo, jejunia, et clamores, et sortium dies, 32And all things which are contained in the history of this book, which is called Esther.E di tutto quello, che si contiene nella storia di questo libro, che porta il nome di Esther.and al thinges, which are conteyned in the historie of this booke, which is called Esther.et omnia quæ libri hujus, qui vocatur Esther, historia continentur.
9:1
Year of the World 3496, Year before Christ 508.
Haydock
As. Hebrew, "(which is the month of Adar) when the king's command and edict drew near to be executed, in that day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it turned out that the Jews had dominion over those who hated them.)" (Haydock)
Calmet
To revenge, etc. The Jews, on this occasion, by authority from the king, were made executioners of the public justice, for punishing by death a crime worthy of death, viz., a malicious conspiracy for extripating their whole nation; (Challoner) so inscrutable are the judgments of God, who never wholly abandoned his people! The old Vulgate passes over the first 19 verses, with the 24th, 25th, and 28th. (Calmet)
Worthington
In this whole history we cannot but admire the Providence of God. (Worthington)
9:3
Haydock
Extolled. Protestants, "helped." Septuagint, "the king's secretaries honoured the Jews." (Haydock)
9:6
Calmet
Sons. It seems as if they had been slain with their father, ver. 10. See Esther 7:9. (Calmet)
Menochius
Yet, as the contrary would appear from Esther 16:18, we may suppose that they were at least (Haydock) imprisoned till this time, for a more exemplary punishment, while all the rest of the family perished with Aman. (Serarius) (Salien) (Menochius)
Tirinus
These are the kindred, specified nine months before, Esther 16. (Tirinus)
Kennicott
Some Masorets childishly (Haydock) write these ten names one over another, and with greater and less letters, to shew that they were hung one above another, and that the guilt of all was not the same, but the youngest son was the most malicious. (Kennicott)
9:10
Goods, in any place, (Tirinus) that they might not appear to be actuated by the desire of riches, (Calmet) to fall upon the innocent. How often does this fatal cause blind Christian conquerors! The sons of Aman were married, and had separate establishments, Esther 8:1.
9:13
Haydock
Susan. Aman's influence had been the greatest there, and had stirred up many enemies to the Jews, who were to be carefully sought out. (Haydock)
Calmet
If we should consider only the dictates of clemency, we should think that the Jews were too eager in their revenge. But when we reflect, that their enemies had intended to destroy them all, and to seize their effects, we shall allow that they did not exceed the limits of justice, as they acted by royal authority, and abstained from touching any effects of the deceased. (Calmet)
Haydock
In the capital, 800 men fell victims to their fury. But as the citizens of that place were probably the most guilty, we must not imagine that other cities would be treated with the like severity. (Haydock)
Menochius
Gibbets, for a terror to the wicked. (Menochius)
This disgrace was not unusual, Esther 16:18. Polycrates was treated thus. (Herodotus 3:125.)
9:16
Haydock
Lives. In many cases they would probably be attacked, as Aman's edict was perhaps still in force, as well as that of Mardochai. Hence both parties would be upon the watch. (Haydock)
Calmet
Seventy-five. Roman Septuagint has only 15,000. Complutensian, 10,035. (Calmet)
9:19
Calmet
Meats, not only to the poor, but to all their friends, ver. 22., and 2 Esdras 8:10. (Calmet)
9:21
Haydock
Receive. Protestants, "establish this among them, that they should keep the 14th....yearly," 2 Machabees 15:37. (Haydock)
Worthington
None were obliged to keep more than one of these days, according to their respective dwellings. The 14th was for the provinces, the 15th for the Jews of Susan, ver. 18. (Tirinus) (Calmet) (Worthington)
Haydock
Yet it would seem that both days were enjoined, ver. 27, 28. (Haydock)
Calmet
The Jews still observe, them, as they gratify their vanity and vindictive spirit. The 13th is kept a rigid fast, for all above sixteen, for twenty-four hours, during which they eat nothing. (Calmet)
Drusius
If that day should be a sabbath, or its eve, they fast on the 11th or 12th. (Drusius)
Basnage
The day before the festival they give alms to their poor brethren, enjoining them to consume the whole in making good cheer. Each person must then contribute the half sicle, (Exodus 30:13.) which is bestowed on those who undertake a pilgrimage to the land of promise. At night, when the feast commences, they light the lamps, and begin to read the Book of Esther, as soon as the stars appear. They use an old parchment manuscript roll, and, in five places, the reader shouts with all his might, running over the names of the ten sons of Aman with all haste, to shew that they all died in a moment. Whenever Aman is mentioned, the children beat the benches with mallets; and formerly they used to strike at a stone, on which his name was cut, till it broke, ver. 31. After the lecture, they take a repast at home. Early the next morning they return to the synagogue, and read the account of Amalec from the Pentateuch, and repeat the Book of Esther, with the aforesaid ceremonies. The rest of the day they spend in merriment. Their teachers allow them to drink till they are unable to distinguish the name of Aman from that of Mardochai. (Basnage, 6:15.)
Haydock
They also change clothes, in contradiction to the law; (Deuteronomy 22:5.) and were formerly accustomed to crucify a man of straw, which they burnt with the cross, till Christian emperors put a stop to them; as it was concluded, from their curses, etc., that they had an eye to our Saviour. (Calmet) See Esther 5:14. (Haydock)
9:25
Haydock
And. Hebrew, "But when she came." Septuagint, "and how he came to the king, asking leave to hang Mardochai. But his machinations against the Jews, turned upon his own head; and so," etc. (Haydock)
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Calmet
Ceremonies. The king also enjoined (chap. 16:22.) all his subjects (Tirinus) to keep a day of rejoicing, (Haydock) as the death of Aman was deemed a public benefit. (Calmet)
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Calmet
Second. The first might be the edict, (chap. 8:9.) or else the provisional establishment of the festival, as it could not have general authority till it was ratified by the high priest; after which, this second letter was dispatched. (Calmet)
Haydock
Septuagint, "and queen Esther, daughter of Aminadab, etc.,...wrote all that they had done, and also the confirmation of the epistle of the Phrourai." They should say Phurim, as the former word means "guards." Hebrew, "wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim;" (Protestants; Haydock) or rather, "this letter, Phurim, of which this is a copy." The Roman Septuagint only add for this and the following chapter, to 5:9: "They set them apart during their lives, and by their advice; (Calmet; Ed. Alex.[Alexandrian Edition?], "for their health and counsel.") and Esther established for ever, and wrote as a memorial: My nation," etc. (Haydock)
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Calmet
Peace: receive these glad tidings, and faithfully observe the injunctions. (Calmet)
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Calmet
Fasts and cries. See ver. 21. (Calmet)
Haydock
Protestants, "the matters of their fastings and their cry: and the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim, and it was written in the book." (Haydock)
Worthington
This feast, instituted by Mardochai, was accepted and observed by the Jews as a constitution agreeable to, and not contrary to, the law, Deuteronomy 4:2., and 12:32. (Worthington)
9:1
To revenge, etc.... The Jews on this occasion, by authority from the king, were made executioners of the public justice, for punishing by death a crime worthy of death, viz., a malicious conspiracy for extirpating their whole nation.
9:1
1. The case being changed.] In this whole historie (as in manie other passages Psal. 76. Great, and maruelous changes by the power of God. of holie scripture) we see the meruelous change of the right hand of the highest. First in the verie instant of extreme danger, the kinges face with burning eyes shewing the furie of his breast ch. 15. v. 10. was turned into mildnes towardes Esther v. 11. Secondly proud Aman being aduanced in honour & office, aboue al princes of the kinges court, ch. 3. v. 1. was sodainly forced publikely to lead Mardocheus his horse, whom he most hated: ch. 6 v. 10. Thirdly, he was constrayned with loud voice to proclame his honour, whom he most despised and threatned. Fourtly, the same Aman, before called the father (as it were the onlie gouernour) of the king, ch. 1• v. 6 ch. 16. v. 11. was forthwith condemned for a traitor. ch. 7. v. 8. ch. 16. v. 18. Fifthly, He that could not abide to see Mardocheus, ch. 5. v. 13. afterward durst not looke vpon the king, not could endure his countenance. ch, 7 v 6. Sixtly, He was hanged on the same gallowes, which he had prepared for Mardocheus. ch. 7. v. 9. Seuently, VVheras he was not content with the death of Mardocheus alone, but procured the kings decree to destroy the whole nation. ch. 3. v 6 and so feasted with the king, when the Iewes mourned, v 15. shortly after the king sent new letters for the Iewes saftie, geuing them leaue to kil whom soeuer they would of their enemies. ch. 8. v. •. 11 Eightly, the same day which was designed for destruction, was made the day of ioy and exultation to the children of God. ch. 9. v. 1. 17 ch. 16. v. 21. &c. By which literal sense Gods meruelous prouidence is manifestly shewed, neuer suffering his church to perish. It hath moreouer D. Tho. prologo in Epist. Canonic. two special mystical senses. First, as saftie of temporal life was procured to Esther a figure of our B ladie, one nation by Esthers intercession to king Assuerus, so general saluation is procured to al mankind by mediation of the blessed virgin Marie, crushing the serpents head; and the sentence of death is changed by new letters, granting And of the Church. euerlasting life, and glorie to al Gods true seruantes. Esther also, as likewise Iudith, in figure of the Church (saith S. Ierom, Prologo in Sophon) killed the aduersaries, and deliuered Israel from danger of perishing.
M
VVhere no more danger remaineth remission of iniuries is more commendable then reuenge, but where malice continueth, and new danger may probably ensue, iustice is necessarie, and afterwards peace may be made more securely S. Bernad, ser. 2. d• verb. Apost.
9:12
In the •i•a slaughter Amans tenne sonnes were slayne and afterwards also hanged. v. 14.
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The fourth parth. Other thinges folowing their deliuerie from danger.
9:21
The Iewes in Susan kept the fiftenth day holie. v. 18, those that dwelt in other places kept the fourtenth day.
9:27
A feast instituted by Mardocheus was accepted and obserued by al the Iewes, as a constitution agreable and not contratie to the law Deut. 4. v. 2, & 12. v. 32.
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sant'Atanasio di Alessandria † 373 d.C. Festal and Personal Letters of Athanasius 4
… Therefore blessed Moses of old time ordained the great feast of the Passover, and our celebration of it, because, namely, Pharaoh was killed, and the people were delivered from bondage. For in those times it was especially, when those who tyrannized over the people had been slain, that temporal feasts and holidays were observed in Judæa
san Girolamo † 420 d.C. The Letters of St. Jerome 53.8
… Solomon, a lover of peace and of the Lord, corrects morals, teaches nature, unites Christ and the church, and sings a sweet marriage song to celebrate that holy bridal. Esther, a type of the church, frees her people from danger and, after having slain Haman whose name means iniquity, hands down to posterity a memorable day and a great feast.
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6. UT ETIAM IN SUSAN QUINGENTOS VIROS INTERFICERENT EXTRA DECEM FILIOS AMAN, — quos primos publice in theatro, ut videtur, quasi reos a rege damnatos occiderent; caedem enim inchoarunt a filiis Aman hostis sui jurati, quasi a primitiis primisque justae suae vindictae victimis; deinde eorum jam occisorum corpora postero die suspenderunt in patibulis, ut dicitur vers. 14, ad majorem Amani ignominiam et hostium terrorem. Igitur mense tertio rex tulit edictum, ut Judaei trucidarent filios Aman, caeterosque suos adversarios, ut dictum est cap. viii, 9. Quare Judaei mox filios Aman, ne fuga elaberentur, incluserunt in carcerem, ac post novem menses, puta die 13 mensis duodecimi, quae caedi erat destinata, eos jugularunt, et postero die jugulatos suspenderunt. Dices: cap. vi, 18, rex ferens hoc edictum ait Amanum et omnem cognationem ejus ante portam Susan pendere in patibulis; ergo filii Aman cum eo occisi sunt mense tertio, non duodecimo. Respondeo per « cognationem » ibi non intelligi filios (alioquin enim eos explicite nominasset), sed cognatos et affines Aman; hi enim ut ejus fautores cum eo suspensi sunt; filii vero ad communem omnium caedem, et ad diei 13 Adar publicum spectaculum justae vindictae reservati fuere.
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10. QUOS CUM OCCIDISSENT, PRAEDAS DE SUBSTANTIIS EORUM TANGERE NOLUERUNT, — tum ut ostenderent se non aliud, quam vitae suae incolumitatem quaerere; hanc enim perdere volebant ii qui occidebantur; quare se non inhiare opibus, nec propter opes innoxium aliquem divitem (uti saepe fit) inter noxios interficere; tum denique, quia Aman utpote Judaeorum juratus hostis, erat quasi anathema, ut nemo ejus et filiorum res attingere auderet. Idem fecere caeteris occisis, quorum facultates diripere noluerunt, ut dicitur vers. 16, etsi rex id eis concessisset, cap. viii, 11. Utinam Christiani duces et milites eos imitentur, qui non tantum inimicos, sed etiam amicos saepe spoliant, imo spe praedae mactant! Judas Machabaeus aliud festum in eadem die 13 Adar instituit, ob insignem victoriam eadem die de Nicanore obtentam, de quo II Machab. cap. ult. vers. 37.
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16. UT SEPTUAGINTA QUINQUE MILLIA OCCISORUM IMPLERENTUR. — Ingens fuit hic hostium, ideoque et caesorum numerus, quia Judaei de vita securi esse non poterant, nisi iis occisis. Et hoc est quod hic dicitur: « Pro animabus suis (pro vita sua tuenda constanter caedentes hostes suos) steterunt Judaei interfectis hostibus, » etc. Nisi enim ipsi interfecti fuissent, timendum erat ne rursum Judaeos invaderent, imo contra regem rebellarent. Porro jussit Mardochaeus Judaeis, ut diligenter inquirerent et annotarent, qui revera essent Judaeorum hostes et noxii occiderentur, uti factum est in Vesperis Siculis et Parisiensibus, ideoque per novem menses caedem differri jussit, scilicet a mense tertio usque ad duodecimum.
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26. ATQUE EX ILLO TEMPORE DIES ISTI (13 et 14 Adar, quibus Judaei mactandi mactarunt suos hostes) APPELLATI SUNT PHURIM, ID EST SORTIUM: EO QUOD PHUR, ID EST SORS, MISSA FUERIT IN URNAM. — Sic hoc festum, ait Sanchez, « Phurim » appellatur, id est sortium, non a libertate, quam eo die consecuti sunt Judaei hostibus interfectis, aut domitis; sed a sortibus quas consuluit Aman, et quae in eumdem decimum tertium diem mensis Adar Judaeorum caedem destinarunt, ut, dum dies ille anniversario reditu recurrit, periculi illius renovetur memoria, in quo fuerunt, et qualem habuerunt animorum consternationem et angorem, cum de sortibus ac die nuntium accepere. Perperam in Septuaginta Romanis pro « phurim » ut habent Septuaginta Complutensibus legitur phrurim; unde et Josephus dies hos φρουραίους appellat. Nisi malis Septuaginta et Josephum vocem phurim addita littera r commutasse in φρουρίμ, ut alluderent ad Graecum etymon verbi φρουρέω, quod servare et custodire significat, q. d. Dies hi ab hostibus fuere vocati a Phurim, id est sortium, item confractionum, quibus scilicet genus nostrum confringerent (hoc enim significat hebraice et arabice phur); sed a Deo per Esther et Mardochaeum ex phurim facti sunt φρουρίμ, id est custodes et conservatorii, quibus scilicet in vita incolumes conservaremur, hostibus vero facti sunt iidem dies « phurim, » id est confractionum; quibus nimirum ipsimet a nobis confringerentur et mactarentur. Sic allegorice dies passionis Christi fuere dies « phurim, » id est sortium et confractionum, quibus scilicet Judaei miserunt sortem de occidendo Christo pro Barabba; ac milites de dividenda Christi crucifixi tunica; tunc enim ipsi carnem Christi confregerunt clavis, flagellis, spinis; sed hi dies « phurim » per Christum facti sunt phrurim, sive φρουραῖος, id est, custodes et conservatorii; quia omnes in Christum credentes, sperantes, et diligentes liberarunt a peccato, morte et inferno. Iidem dies Judaeis facti sunt « phurim » quia illis ipsis, puta in Paschate post 38 annos Jerusalem a Tito capta, vastata, et funditus excisa est. Idipsum praesignificavit sors in die expiationis jaci solita in duos hircos, alterum emissarium, alterum pro peccato immolandum, Levit. xvi, 8 et 9. Vide ibi dicta. Tropologice festum « phurim » agunt sancti, cum sortes adversae in prosperas commutantur, uti commutatae fuere sancto Job, cap. ult.; Josepho, Gen. xli, 41; Mosi, Exodi iv et v; Davidi, Tobiae, aliisque sanctis, ac nominatim S. Eustachio, ut liquet ex ejus vita apud Surium, die 20 septembris. Anagogice dies « phurim, » id est sortium, erit dies judicii, quo Christus sortes piorum in hac vita afflictorum, et impiorum in hac vita exultantium commutabit, ac piis perpetuam laetitiam, impiis perennem gehennam assignabit, uti docet Sapiens cap. v, 1, et Isaias cap. lxv, 12 et Christus ipse Lucae vi, 21 et 25. ET CUNCTA QUAE GESTA SUNT, EPISTOLAE, ID EST LIBRI HUJUS VOLUMINE CONTINENTUR. — Hinc colligitur Mardochaeum libri hujus esse auctorem. Ipse enim auctor fuit epistolae hujus; epistola autem idem continebat, quod continet hic liber; sed quae prius in epistola breviter scripserat Mardochaeus, eadem in librum hunc referens fusius conscripsit, et accuratius elimavit.
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27. QUAEQUE SUSTINUERUNT (« Judaei » ab Aman ejusque asseclis), ET QUAE DEINCEPS IMMUTATA SUNT (sorte caedis Judaeorum ab ipsis in hostes conversa; repete, « libri hujus volumine continentur, » atque in horum memoriam, et gratiarum actionem) SUSCEPERUNT JUDAEI SUPER SE ET SUPER SEMEN SUUM; hoc est, obligarunt se, suosque filios, et posteros, quin et proselytos qui RELIGIONI EORUM VOLUERUNT COPULARI, (celebrare hoc festum « phurim, » id est sortium,) UT NULLI LICEAT DUOS HOS DIES ABSQUE SOLEMNITATE TRANSIGERE, — non quod omnes utrumque diem debeant agere festum, sed quod alterum ex duobus, vel certe tertium a caede: nam Judaei habitantes Susis, quia tam die 13 quam 14 ceciderant suos hostes, hinc die 15 Adar quo cessarant a caede, festum « phurim » celebrarunt; caeteri autem qui uno die citius, puta decima quarta a caede abstinuerant, eadem die festum agebant. Quos (dies) scriptura (id est epistola Mardochaei postea a tota Synagoga confirmata) TESTATUR, — id est, contestatur et mandat esse annua memoria et gratitudine recolendos. ET CERTA EXPETUNT TEMPORA ANNIS SIBI JUGITER SUCCEDENTIBUS, — ut scilicet quotannis celebrentur certo statoque tempore, puta diebus 14 et 15 jam dictis, idque non solum ex Mardochaei, sed et Assueri decreto, qui idipsum non solum Judaeis, sed et Persis, caeterisque gentibus suo imperio subditis praecipit, cap. xvi, vers. 22 et 24. Anagogice festum sortium significat festum et gaudium beatorum in coelo de triumphato daemone, mundo, tyrannis, caeterisque persecutoribus, qui sortes miserant de eorum perditione; sed per virum unum, et per unam mulierem liberati sunt, id est, per Christum et Mariam, et inimicos suos gladiis punient, sicut scriptum est Psalm. cxlix, 6: « Et gladii ancipites in manibus eorum, ad faciendam vindictam in nationibus, increpationes in populis, ad alligandos reges eorum in compedibus, et nobiles eorum in manicis ferreis, ut faciant in eis judicium conscriptum: gloria haec est omnibus sanctis ejus. » Hoc in fine saeculi, id est in die judicii, continget; ideo duodecimo mense celebratur. Die decima quarta agitur, id est in plenilunio, quoniam cum Sancti cum Christo judicabunt nationes, et dominabuntur populis, jam ecclesia Sanctorum plenitudinem decoris sui habebit. Verum solemnitati additur dies decimus quintus, ut significetur hoc secundo die gaudium, quod Sancti capient videntes semper impiorum persecutorum damnationem, sicut in Isaia scriptum est: « Et egredientur et videbunt cadavera virorum, qui praevaricati sunt in me. Vermis eorum non morietur, et ignis eorum non exstinguetur; et erunt usque ad satietatem visionis omni carni. » Ita Ribera, lib. V De Temp., cap. ult.
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30. UT HABERENT PACEM ET SUSCIPERENT VERITATEM. — Hebraeus: Miserunt epistolas verborum pacis et veritatis, id est, precantes eis pacem, hoc est omnimodam prosperitatem, et exhortantes eos ad veritatem, id est, fidelitatem et constantiam in servandis promissis de festo « phurim » statis diebus celebrando.
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31. ET ILLI OBSERVANDA SUSCEPERUNT A SE, ET A SEMINE SUO JEJUNIA ET CLAMORES. — Solebant enim Judaei pridie festorum jejunare, uti et faciunt Christiani in vigiliis Sanctorum; solebant tunc quoque clamores precibus miscere, ac in fortitudine clamare ad Dominum, praesertim in publica calamitate, uti hic fecere Judaei ab Aman neci destinati; ideoque ejulantes et complorantes; in quorum memoriam clamores hosce quotannis eodem die renovabant cum strepitu et complosione scamnorum, uti dixi vers. 1; sicut Christiani in triduo passionis Christi crepitaculis et complosionibus strepitus edunt: quod nonnulli cum Serario ab hoc facto Hebraeorum manasse suspicantur. Adde S. Athanasium in Synopsi, eadem die 13 Adar, Judaeos in memoriam et contumeliam Amani crucifixi crucem ligneam publice circumferre, eamque cum imagine Amani igne concremare. Verum quia multi Judaeorum hac Amani tragoedia Christi passionem et crucem repraesentabant et irridebant, quasi Christus esset personatus larva Amani, hac de causa Honorius et Theodosius Imperatores horum ritus et gestus inhibuere, ut patet Codice De Judaeis et Caelicolis L. Judaeos, ubi sic dicitur: « Judaeos quosdam festivitatis suae solemnia ad poenae quondam sumptae recordationem incendere, et sanctae crucis assimulatam speciem in contemptum Christianae fidei, sacrilega mente exurere provinciarum rectores prohibeant. »
9:6
… Esth. 3, 15; 9, 6, 11 ecc., distingue le due parti con nomi diversi: in ebraico, rispettivamente, bīrāh (aramaico « fortezza »), e, per estensione, « acropoli ») e 'fr. Nella cittadella (Neh. 1, 1) …
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FEREZEI (EBR. PĒRIZAI; SETTANTA ΦΕΡΕΙ͂ΑΊΟΙ)
Dal probabile significato del nome pērizai, abitante di un luogo indifeso (cf. Deut. 3, 5; Esth. 9, 19), si è pensato che i suoi membri fossero sparsi nelle campagne e nei villaggi come agricoltori, mentre i Cananei predominavano nei luoghi fortificati. …
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PŪRĪM (DA PÛR « SORTE »: ESTH. 9, 26)
PŪRĪM (da pûr « sorte »: Esth. 9, 26). - Semifesta celebrata dagli Ebrei il 14 del mese di 'ādhār in ricordo della salvezza d'Israele dalle insidie di Aman (v.).
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · Douay-Rheims originale (Douai 1609-10), trascrizione EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Pubblico dominio.