Esther3
New American Standard
1After these events King Ahasuerus honored Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and promoted him and established his authority over all the officials who were with him.
2All the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman; for so the king had commanded regarding him. But Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage.
3Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why are you violating the king’s command?”
4Now it was when they had spoken daily to him and he would not listen to them, that they told Haman to see whether Mordecai’s reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5When Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage to him, Haman was filled with rage.
6But he considered it beneath his dignity to kill Mordecai alone, for they had told him who the people of Mordecai were; so Haman sought to annihilate all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were found throughout the kingdom of Ahasuerus.
7In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, Pur, that is the lot, was cast before Haman from day to day and from month to month, until the twelfth month, that is the month Adar.
8Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of all other people and they do not comply with the king’s laws, so it is not in the king’s interest to let them remain.
9If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be eliminated, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry out the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.”
10Then the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.
11And the king said to Haman, “The silver is yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”
12Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written just as Haman commanded to the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province and to the officials of each people, each province according to its script, each people according to its language, being written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring.
13Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces to annihilate, kill, and destroy all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to seize their possessions as plunder.
14A copy of the edict to be issued as law in every province was published to all the peoples so that they would be ready for this day.
15The couriers went out, speeded by the king’s order while the decree was issued at the citadel in Susa; and while the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was agitated.
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.