John Gill Commentary Esther 5:14

John Gill Commentary

Esther 5:14

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Esther 5:14

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made." — Esther 5:14 (ASV)

Then said Zeresh his wife, and all his friends, unto him
His wife very probably first moved it, and all his friends present approved of it and united in it:

let a gallows be made, of fifty cubits, high ;
that the person hanged thereon might be seen at a distance, and so be a greater reproach to him, and a terror to others, to take care they were not guilty of the same offence: Cartalo was ordered by his father to be fixed to the highest cross in the sight of the city F12 ; and it was usual for crosses to be erected very high F13 both for that purpose, and for greater infamy and disgrace F14 :

and tomorrow speak you to the king that Mordecai may be hanged
thereon ;
get a grant from him for it; of which they made no doubt, since Haman had such an interest in him, and had already obtained an order to destroy all Jews in his dominions:

then go you in merrily with the king to the banquet ;
eased of the burden of his mind, and honoured to be a guest with the royal pair:

and the thing pleased Haman, and he caused the gallows to be made ;
but it was for himself, as it proved in the issue. See (Esther 7:10) .


FOOTNOTES:

  • F12: Justin e Trogo, l. 18. c. 7. Vid. l. 22. c. 7.
  • F13: Vid. Lipsium de Cruce, l. 3. c. 13.
  • F14: Suetonius in Galba, c. 9.