The wise men, which knew the times— Some have inferred from hence, that, as the Persian kings did nothing without their magi or wise men, who were great pretenders to astrology, men of this sort were called to know whether it was a proper time to set about the thing which the king had in his mind; for, such was the superstition of the eastern people, that, as the satirist remarks.
——Quicquid Dixerit astrologus, credent a fonte relatum Ammonis. JUVENAL, Sat. 6:
Such credit to astrologers is given, What they foretel is deem'd a voice from heaven. DRYDEN.
The explication, however, which Vitringa gives of the original is far from being improbable; namely, that these were men well versed in ancient histories, and in the laws and customs of their country, and were therefore able to give the king counsel in all extraordinary and perplexed cases. Houbigant renders the passage thus: then the king, speaking to the wise men, who knew the law and judgment (for the royal decrees were then established, when they were laid before those who knew the law and judgment; Esther 1:13 and for that reason he had by his side seven princes of Persia, Carshena, &c.) said, Esther 1:15. What shall we do, &c. See Le Clerc, and 1 Chronicles 12:32.