Esther3
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
2And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed down, and did reverence to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence.
3Then the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?
4Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
6But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
7In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
8And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.
9If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king’s business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.
10And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
11And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
12Then were the king’s scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof; and there was written according to all that Haman commanded unto the king’s satraps, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was sealed with the king’s ring.
13And letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
14A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published unto all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day.
15The posts went forth in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given out in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Esther 3.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Haman seeks to destroy the Jews. (1–6). He obtains a decree against the Jews. (7–15).
vv1-6
Mordecai refused to reverence Haman. The religion of a Jew forbade him to give honours to any mortal man which savoured of idolatry, especially to so wicked a man as Haman. By nature all are idolaters; self is our favourite idol, we are pleased to be treated as if every thing were at our disposal. Though religion by no means destroys good manners, but teaches us to render honour to whom honour is due, yet by a citizen of Zion, not only in his heart, but in his eyes, such a vile person as Haman was, is contemned, Ps 15:4. The true believer cannot obey edicts, or conform to fashions, which break the law of God. He must obey God rather than man, and leave the consequences to him. Haman was full of wrath. His device was inspired by that wicked spirit, who has been a murderer from the beginning; whose enmity to Christ and his church, governs all his children.
vv7-15
Without some acquaintance with the human heart, and the history of mankind, we should not think that any prince could consent to a dreadful proposal, so hurtful to himself. Let us be thankful for mild and just government. Haman inquires, according to his own superstitions, how to find a lucky day for the designed massacre! God's wisdom serves its own purposes by men's folly. Haman has appealed to the lot, and the lot, by delaying the execution, gives judgment against him. The event explains the doctrine of a particular providence over all the affairs of men, and the care of God over his church. Haman was afraid lest the king's conscience should smite him for what he had done; to prevent which, he kept him drinking. This cursed method many often take to drown convictions, and to harden their own hearts, and the hearts of others, in sin. All appeared in a favourable train to accomplish the project. But though sinners are permitted to proceed to the point they aim at, an unseen but almighty Power turns them back. How vain and contemptible are the strongest assaults against Jehovah! Had Haman obtained his wish, and the Jewish nation perished, what must have become of all the promises? How could the prophecies concerning the great Redeemer of the world have been fulfilled? Thus the everlasting covenant itself must have failed, before this diabolical project could take place.
Key Words
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֵלֶּה: these or those
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מֶלֶךְ: a king
אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ: Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a Persian king
גָּדַל: to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
הָמָן: Haman, a Persian vizier
אֲגָגִי: an Agagite or descendent (subject) of Agag
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
מְדָתָא: Medatha, the father of Haman
Cross References
Esther 3Haman is an 'Agagite,' identifying him as a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God's historical decree to blot out Amalek underpins Mordecai's refusal to bow to the Agagite.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
A citizen of Zion contemns a vile person like Haman rather than giving him honor.
Supported by Matthew Henry
They cast the lot (Pur), but its timing and delay was governed entirely by the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Accusation of a Jewish minority refusing to keep the king's laws, echoing Daniel's companions.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Esther later references this transaction, noting the silver offered to destroy her people.
Supported by JFB
The giving of the king's signet ring signifies supreme delegation of royal authority.
Supported by JFB
The ring given to Haman for destruction is later reclaimed and given to Mordecai.
Supported by JFB
The irreversible nature of Persian laws sealed with the king's ring is described.
Supported by JFB
Mordecai's repeated refusal to bow in the gate continues to enrage Haman.
Supported by JFB
Summarizes Haman's wicked plot to consume and destroy the Jews by casting Pur.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Drinking in excess while insensitive to the affliction and ruin of others.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Contrasts Shushan's perplexity here with its later rejoicing when Mordecai is elevated.
Supported by JFB
Another historical instance of casting lots to make decisions or identify a target.