And king Ahasuerus imposed tribute upon the land, and upon the coastlands of the sea.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Land. He conquered many countries on the continent, and several to which he could not come but by water, which the Jews call islands, whether they were surrounded on all sides by the sea or not. Hebrew has not the word all: but as the expressions are indefinite, they are usually taken in this sense. Yet we must not suppose, that the dominion of Assuerus extended over the whole world, no more than that of the Romans, who were styled masters of it. Before this king, the provinces had not paid tribute, but gave what they judged proper. But Darius laid a heavy tribute upon all, that, when half was afterwards remitted, they might esteem it a favour. The Persians hence looked upon him as a trafficker: kapelos. (Herodotus iii. 89., and iv. 44., and vi. 7.) (Calmet)
Providence punished them for thirsting after the possessions and blood of the Jews. (Tirinus)
