so this day the other wives of the chiefs of the Persians and Medes, having heard what she said to the king, will dare in the same way to dishonor their husbands.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 18. Wives. Greek τυραννιδες, “princesses, or female tyrants.”—Slight. Septuagint “dare to slight their husbands. Wherefore if,” and so forth Bible.—Just. Hebrew “enough of contempt and indignation.” This may be referred either to the king or to the women’s husbands. The example will prove a source of continual quarrels. Calmet.—Brentius approves the decision of this parasite; though Saint Ambrose and so forth think that the queen was justified by the laws, which the king had no right to infringe, to gratify his drunken humour, verse 10. Luther would also wrest this text in favour of adultery, p.ii. Devort. p. 177. Worthington.