Esther 3
15 verses
Haman, a descendant of Agag (Israel's ancient enemy), is elevated to the king's highest position, and when Mordecai refuses to bow to him, Haman's pride is wounded and he conceives a genocidal plot against all Jews in the Persian Empire. Haman manipulates the king by presenting the Jews as a threat to Persian unity and security, persuading Ahasuerus to decree their destruction without revealing their identity or the true instigator of the plot. The specific dating of the massacre through casting of lots (the Purim) adds a layer of apparent randomness that the narrative will reinterpret as divine selection and control. Haman's hatred echoes ancient Israel-Amalek conflicts, suggesting that even in diaspora, the people of God face enemies whose enmity transcends historical logic and personal provocation. The king's easy willingness to murder an entire people group he knows little about exposes the moral bankruptcy and arbitrary nature of imperial power. This chapter demonstrates how quickly persecution can move from prejudice to policy, and establishes the narrative crisis that will require divine providence and human courage to overcome.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
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.
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2
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.
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3
Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?
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4
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.
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5
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
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6
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.
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7
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.
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8
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.
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9
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.
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10
And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
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11
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.
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12
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.
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13
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.
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14
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.
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15
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.
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