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.
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.
Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?
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.
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Esther 3 unveils a chilling plot against the Jewish people, masterminded by the power-hungry Haman. This chapter is a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of antisemitism and the importance of standing firm in one's faith, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. Yet, within this darkness, we also see the subtle hand of God, orchestrating events behind the scenes to ultimately protect His people.
Haman's Rise and Mordecai's Refusal (Esther 3:1-6)
Esther 3:1 tells us that King Ahasuerus, for reasons unexplained, elevated Haman, identified as "the Agagite," to a position of supreme authority, higher than all other officials. This detail wouldn't have been lost on Jewish readers. Haman's lineage connected him to Agag, the king of the Amalekites, a nation historically opposed to Israel since their Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16). This ancient animosity suggests that Haman harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Jewish people.
Adding another layer of complexity, Mordecai is identified as a "son of Kish, a Benjaminite" (Esther 2:5). King Saul, also a son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1-3), had failed to fully carry out God's command to destroy the Amalekites, sparing King Agag (1 Samuel 15:3, 8-9). Thus, for Mordecai to bow down to an Agagite would have been an act of defiance against God and a betrayal of his heritage.
The king's command that all royal officials bow down to Haman (Esther 3:2-4) presented Mordecai with a moral dilemma. He refused to give homage to an enemy of God's people, an act seen as unacceptable. His refusal, based on his faith and heritage, infuriated Haman (Esther 3:5). Learning of Mordecai's Jewish identity, Haman's hatred escalated beyond a personal vendetta. He resolved to annihilate all the Jews throughout the entire kingdom (Esther 3:6), revealing the genocidal nature of his hatred.
Casting the Pur: A Divine Delay (Esther 3:7)
Driven by his desire for vengeance, Haman sought an opportune time to execute his sinister plan. Esther 3:7 describes how he cast the Pur, or the lot, in the first month of the year to determine the most auspicious day for the destruction of the Jews. The lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
While Haman likely desired a sooner date, this seemingly random event was, in reality, a demonstration of God's sovereign control. As Proverbs 16:33 reminds us, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." This eleven-month delay provided a crucial window of opportunity for God to work behind the scenes, setting the stage for Esther's courageous intervention and the ultimate salvation of her people. Even in what appears to be a game of chance orchestrated by evil, God is loading the dice.
Deceitful Accusations and Royal Decree (Esther 3:8-15)
Haman then approached King Ahasuerus with a calculated and deceitful accusation (Esther 3:8-9). He portrayed the Jewish people as a problematic ethnic group, separate from the rest of the kingdom, with strange laws and a refusal to obey the king's commands. He argued that they were a threat to the stability of the empire and should not be tolerated. To sweeten the deal, Haman offered to pay a staggering sum of 375 tons of silver into the royal treasury to offset any financial losses incurred by their destruction. This demonstrates Haman's wealth and his willingness to use it to fuel his hatred.
The king, blinded by Haman's lies and perhaps motivated by the promise of financial gain, granted Haman's request, handing over his signet ring (Esther 3:10-11). This ring, a symbol of royal authority, gave Haman the power to issue decrees in the king's name. In essence, the fate of the Jewish people was now in the hands of their enemy.
Haman wasted no time in utilizing his newfound authority. He commanded the royal scribes to draft letters to officials throughout the empire, ordering them to destroy, kill, and annihilate all Jewish people, young and old, women and children, on a single day – the thirteenth day of Adar (Esther 3:12-13). The letters also authorized the plunder of Jewish possessions. These letters were sealed with the royal signet ring, giving them the full force of the king's law, and were dispatched throughout the vast empire (Esther 3:14).
The chapter concludes with a disturbing image: while chaos and confusion erupt throughout the kingdom in response to the decree, the king and Haman sit down to drink (Esther 3:15), seemingly oblivious to the suffering they have unleashed. This chilling indifference underscores the gravity of the situation and highlights the darkness that has enveloped the kingdom. However, the predetermined date of the thirteenth of Adar (Esther 3:13) becomes a beacon of hope, a testament to God's hidden hand guiding the timeline, ensuring that His purposes will ultimately prevail.
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.
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.
Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?
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.
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Esther 3 unveils a chilling plot against the Jewish people, masterminded by the power-hungry Haman. This chapter is a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of antisemitism and the importance of standing firm in one's faith, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. Yet, within this darkness, we also see the subtle hand of God, orchestrating events behind the scenes to ultimately protect His people.
Haman's Rise and Mordecai's Refusal (Esther 3:1-6)
Esther 3:1 tells us that King Ahasuerus, for reasons unexplained, elevated Haman, identified as "the Agagite," to a position of supreme authority, higher than all other officials. This detail wouldn't have been lost on Jewish readers. Haman's lineage connected him to Agag, the king of the Amalekites, a nation historically opposed to Israel since their Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16). This ancient animosity suggests that Haman harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Jewish people.
Adding another layer of complexity, Mordecai is identified as a "son of Kish, a Benjaminite" (Esther 2:5). King Saul, also a son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1-3), had failed to fully carry out God's command to destroy the Amalekites, sparing King Agag (1 Samuel 15:3, 8-9). Thus, for Mordecai to bow down to an Agagite would have been an act of defiance against God and a betrayal of his heritage.
The king's command that all royal officials bow down to Haman (Esther 3:2-4) presented Mordecai with a moral dilemma. He refused to give homage to an enemy of God's people, an act seen as unacceptable. His refusal, based on his faith and heritage, infuriated Haman (Esther 3:5). Learning of Mordecai's Jewish identity, Haman's hatred escalated beyond a personal vendetta. He resolved to annihilate all the Jews throughout the entire kingdom (Esther 3:6), revealing the genocidal nature of his hatred.
Casting the Pur: A Divine Delay (Esther 3:7)
Driven by his desire for vengeance, Haman sought an opportune time to execute his sinister plan. Esther 3:7 describes how he cast the Pur, or the lot, in the first month of the year to determine the most auspicious day for the destruction of the Jews. The lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
While Haman likely desired a sooner date, this seemingly random event was, in reality, a demonstration of God's sovereign control. As Proverbs 16:33 reminds us, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." This eleven-month delay provided a crucial window of opportunity for God to work behind the scenes, setting the stage for Esther's courageous intervention and the ultimate salvation of her people. Even in what appears to be a game of chance orchestrated by evil, God is loading the dice.
Deceitful Accusations and Royal Decree (Esther 3:8-15)
Haman then approached King Ahasuerus with a calculated and deceitful accusation (Esther 3:8-9). He portrayed the Jewish people as a problematic ethnic group, separate from the rest of the kingdom, with strange laws and a refusal to obey the king's commands. He argued that they were a threat to the stability of the empire and should not be tolerated. To sweeten the deal, Haman offered to pay a staggering sum of 375 tons of silver into the royal treasury to offset any financial losses incurred by their destruction. This demonstrates Haman's wealth and his willingness to use it to fuel his hatred.
The king, blinded by Haman's lies and perhaps motivated by the promise of financial gain, granted Haman's request, handing over his signet ring (Esther 3:10-11). This ring, a symbol of royal authority, gave Haman the power to issue decrees in the king's name. In essence, the fate of the Jewish people was now in the hands of their enemy.
Haman wasted no time in utilizing his newfound authority. He commanded the royal scribes to draft letters to officials throughout the empire, ordering them to destroy, kill, and annihilate all Jewish people, young and old, women and children, on a single day – the thirteenth day of Adar (Esther 3:12-13). The letters also authorized the plunder of Jewish possessions. These letters were sealed with the royal signet ring, giving them the full force of the king's law, and were dispatched throughout the vast empire (Esther 3:14).
The chapter concludes with a disturbing image: while chaos and confusion erupt throughout the kingdom in response to the decree, the king and Haman sit down to drink (Esther 3:15), seemingly oblivious to the suffering they have unleashed. This chilling indifference underscores the gravity of the situation and highlights the darkness that has enveloped the kingdom. However, the predetermined date of the thirteenth of Adar (Esther 3:13) becomes a beacon of hope, a testament to God's hidden hand guiding the timeline, ensuring that His purposes will ultimately prevail.