the king's servants. Dr. Shaw, speaking of the cities in the East, says, 'If we quit the streets, and enter into any of the principal houses, we shall first pass through a porch, or gate-way, with benches on each side, where the master of the family receives visits, and despatches business; few persons, not even the nearest relations, having admission any farther, except upon extraordinary occasions.' These servants were probably officers who here waited the king's call; and it is likely that Mordecai was one of them.

Esther 2:19,21 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate...

bowed.

Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee...

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

bowed not. Yichr? welo yishtachaweh, 'bowed not down, nor prostrated himself,' or worshipped him. Had this meant only civil reverence the king would not have needed to command it; nor would Mordecai have refused it; there was, therefore, some kind of divine honour intended, such as was paid to the Persian kings, and which even the Greeks refused, as express adoration.

Esther 3:1,5 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him...

Exodus 17:14,16 And the LORD said to Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua...

Deuteronomy 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about...

1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling...

Psalm 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honors them that fear the LORD. He that swears to his own hurt, and changes not.