Esther 3

Chapter Overview

What happens in Esther 3

Haman, a powerful official, is promoted to the highest position under the king. When Mordecai refuses to bow to him, Haman plots to destroy not just Mordecai but all the Jewish people throughout the empire.

Scripture

Haman's Rise and Mordecai's Refusal

Study note

Haman was an Agagite, which means he was a descendant of Agag, the ancient enemy of Israel. Mordecai's refusal to bow may have been because of this ancient conflict, or because bowing to Haman was like worshipping him. Haman's fury at one man led him to plot genocide against an entire people.

1 Some time later, King Xerxes gave a man named Haman a higher rank. Haman was the son of Hammedatha the Agagite. The king put him above every other official in the kingdom. After 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.

2 The king commanded that all his servants at the royal gate must bow down and pay respect to Haman. Everyone obeyed -- except Mordecai. He refused to bow or show Haman any honor. And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

3 The other servants at the gate kept asking Mordecai. They said, "Why do you break the king's order?" Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

4 They confronted him about it day after day, but he would not budge. Finally, they reported the situation to Haman, curious to see whether Mordecai's excuse would be tolerated. Mordecai had explained to them that he was a Jew. Now 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.

5 Haman saw with his own eyes that Mordecai would not bow. Mordecai gave him no respect at all. This made Haman burn with rage. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

6 But punishing Mordecai alone was not enough for Haman. When he found out Mordecai was Jewish, Haman aimed much bigger. He began planning to kill every Jewish person in the whole empire of Xerxes -- all of Mordecai's people. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed 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.

Haman Casts the Lot

Study note

The word 'Pur' means 'lot' -- like rolling dice to pick a date. Haman used this method to choose the date for his attack on the Jews. The Jewish holiday of Purim gets its name from this word.

7 In the first month, Nisan, during King Xerxes' twelfth year, Haman had his helpers throw the Pur (which means 'the lot') to pick the best day for his plan. They threw lots for every day of every month until the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar. In the first month, that 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, that is, the month Adar.

Haman's Plot Against the Jews

Study note

Haman offered the king ten thousand talents of silver (an enormous sum, possibly equal to two-thirds of the empire's yearly income) to fund the destruction of the Jews. The king's signet ring was used to seal official documents, giving them the king's full authority. Once sealed, a Persian royal decree could not be reversed.

8 Haman went to King Xerxes and said, "Your Majesty, there is a certain group of people scattered throughout every province of your kingdom. Their customs are different from everyone else's, and they refuse to follow the king's laws. It is not in your best interest to tolerate them." And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.

9 "If it pleases the king, give the order to have them all destroyed. I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the officials who carry it out. They can put it in the royal treasury." If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.

10 The king pulled his signet ring off his finger. He gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite — the sworn enemy of the Jewish people. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.

11 The king told Haman, "Keep the money. And the people are in your hands -- do whatever you want with them." And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

12 On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned. They wrote out Haman's exact orders, addressed to the governors, regional officials, and leaders of every people group. Each letter was written in the local language of each province. The letters were issued in King Xerxes' name and stamped with his royal seal. Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

13 Couriers rushed the letters to every province in the empire. The orders were chilling: destroy, kill, and wipe out every Jewish person -- young and old, women and little children -- all on a single day, the thirteenth of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Their possessions would be seized as plunder. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, 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.

14 The order was to be posted as law in every province. That way all the people would be ready when the day came. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

15 The couriers raced out at top speed on the king's orders. The decree was also published there in the palace at Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down for drinks together, while the city of Susa reeled in shock and confusion. The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

Key Themes

Themes in Esther 3

The danger of unchecked pride and hatredRefusing to compromise worship of God aloneEvil schemes that target God's peopleCasting lots versus God's sovereignty

Apply This Today

Living Esther 3

Haman's rage over one man's refusal to bow led him to plot genocide against an entire nation. Unchecked anger and wounded pride can escalate into devastating evil. Guard your heart against bitterness — it will consume you and harm everyone around you.

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