SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:18
Hizo luego el rey un gran banquete a todos sus príncipes y siervos, el banquete de Ester; y reposó a las provincias de sus impuestos , e hizo y dio mercedes conforme a la facultad real.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Esther 2:18
Verse 18. Made a release to the provinces] Remitted some kind of tribute or impost, in honour of Esther, at her coronation, as our kings generally do when they are crowned, ordering a discharge from prison of many who are confined for minor offenses. As it was the custom of the Persian kings to give their queens something like what is called with us the aurum reginae, "queen gold," which was a tenth of all fines, &c., above what was given to the king; (for they gave them such a city to buy them clothes, another for their hair, a third for their necklaces, a fourth for their pearls, &c.;) it is probable that, on this occasion, Esther so wishing, he relieved those cities and provinces which had before paid this queen gold from all these expenses; and this would tend greatly to make the queen popular.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and servants, even Esther’s feast , etc.] A feast to all his nobles, courtiers, and ministers of state, on account of his marriage with Esther; which, according to the Greek version, was held seven days; but, according to Josephus, it lasted a whole month f93 : and he made a release to the provinces ; of taxes and tribute due to him, as was the custom of the kings of Persia when they came to the throne, as Herodotus relates; so Smerdis the magus, that mounted the throne after Cambyses, pretending to be his brother, released them for three years to come f95 ; and Grotius says kings used to do it at their marriage, but gives no instance of it: and gave gifts : according to the latter Targum, to the provinces, all of them, that he might be sure that the people of Esther shared his favours, who were as yet unknown; but rather these gifts were given to his nobles, or it may be to Esther; so the former Targum, “he gave to her a gift and portion:” according to the state of the king ; his royal ability and munificence, and suitable to his grandeur; and it was usual with the Persian kings to give to their wives whole cities for one thing or another, as for necklaces, hair laces, shoes, etc. f96 ; Socrates speaks of a whole country in Persia called the “Queen’s girdle”, and another her “Headdress”.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-20 - We see to what absurd practices those came, who were destitute of Divine revelation, and what need there was of the gospel of Christ, to purify men from the lusts of the flesh, and to bring them back to the original institution of marriage. Esther was preferred as queen. Thos who suggest that Esther committed sin to come at this dignity, do no consider the custom of those times and countries. Every one that the king took was married to him, and was his wife, though of a lower rank But how low is human nature sunk, when such as these are the leadin pursuits and highest worldly happiness of men! Disappointment an vexation must follow; and he most wisely consults his enjoyment, eve in this present life, who most exactly obeys the precepts of the Divin law. But let us turn to consider the wise and merciful providence of God, carrying on his deep but holy designs in the midst of all this And let no change in our condition be a pretext for forgetting ou duties to parents, or the friends who have stood in their place.
Original Hebrew
ויעשׂ 6213 המלך 4428 משׁתה 4960 גדול 1419 לכל 3605 שׂריו 8269 ועבדיו 5650 את 853 משׁתה 4960 אסתר 635 והנחה 2010 למדינות 4082 עשׂה 6213 ויתן 5414 משׂאת 4864 כיד 3027 המלך׃ 4428
