Esther 3

King James Version

Full text for Esther Chapter 3

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.

2And 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.

3Then the king's servants, which [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, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

6And 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.

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.

8And 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.

9If 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.

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 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.

13And 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.

14The 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.

15The 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, who was given supreme authority, and all were commanded to bow before him. However, Mordecai, a Jew, refused to bow, which filled Haman with wrath. In retaliation, Haman plotted to destroy all Jews throughout the kingdom, obtaining the king's decree to accomplish this widespread extermination.

Medium Summary

King Ahasuerus elevated Haman the Agagite to a position of great power, commanding all royal servants to bow to him. Mordecai, a Jew, consistently refused to perform this reverence, despite daily questioning from other servants. When Haman learned of Mordecai's defiance and his Jewish identity, he became enraged and sought not only Mordecai's destruction but also the annihilation of all Jews across the empire. Haman cast lots, called Pur, to determine an auspicious day for this plan. He then falsely accused the Jews to King Ahasuerus, claiming their laws were diverse and they did not keep the king's laws, offering a large sum of silver for their destruction. The king granted Haman full authority, giving him his signet ring, and a decree was swiftly dispatched to all provinces, commanding the destruction of all Jews on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month.

Long Summary

King Ahasuerus greatly promoted Haman, setting his seat above all other princes, and commanded all royal servants at the king's gate to bow and reverence him. Mordecai, however, consistently refused to bow or show reverence, leading the king's servants to question his transgression of the royal commandment. When Mordecai's refusal persisted, and he revealed his identity as a Jew, the servants informed Haman. Haman, observing Mordecai's defiance, was filled with extreme wrath. Deeming it beneath him to punish Mordecai alone, and having been informed of Mordecai's people, Haman resolved to destroy all Jews throughout King Ahasuerus's vast kingdom. In the first month, Nisan, of the twelfth year of Ahasuerus's reign, lots (Pur) were cast daily before Haman to determine the most favorable day for this action, which fell upon the twelfth month, Adar. Haman then approached King Ahasuerus, describing the Jews as a scattered and dispersed people whose laws differed from all others and who did not obey the king's laws, asserting that their existence was not profitable for the king. He offered ten thousand talents of silver to the royal treasury if the king would issue a decree for their destruction. The king, without hesitation, removed his signet ring and gave it to Haman, granting him full authority over the matter and the people. On the thirteenth day of the first month, scribes were called to write the decree according to Haman's command, addressed to all lieutenants, governors, and rulers in every province, written in their respective languages and sealed with the king's ring. These letters were swiftly sent by posts throughout the kingdom, commanding the destruction, killing, and perishing of all Jews—young and old, children and women—on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, with their spoil to be taken as prey. The decree was published in every province, requiring all people to be ready for that day. As the posts hastened with the king's commandment, the decree was issued in Shushan the palace, and while the king and Haman sat to drink, the city of Shushan was greatly perplexed.

Core Concepts

  • Haman's PromotionKing Ahasuerus elevated Haman to a position of supreme authority, setting him above all other princes and commanding universal reverence from royal servants.
  • Mordecai's DefianceMordecai, a Jew, consistently refused to bow or show reverence to Haman, despite the king's command and the daily questioning from other servants.
  • Haman's Wrath and PlotEnraged by Mordecai's refusal and learning of his Jewish identity, Haman conceived a plan to exterminate not just Mordecai, but all Jews throughout the kingdom.
  • The Casting of PurHaman used lots, called Pur, to determine an auspicious day for the execution of his genocidal plan against the Jews, which fell on the twelfth month.
  • The Royal DecreeHaman obtained the king's signet ring and issued a widespread decree, commanding the destruction, killing, and perishing of all Jews on a specific day throughout the empire.
  • King's Authority and DelegationKing Ahasuerus readily granted Haman full authority to act against the Jews, symbolized by giving him his royal signet ring, without fully comprehending the implications.
  • Perplexity in ShushanWhile the king and Haman celebrated their decision, the city of Shushan, where the decree was issued, was greatly perplexed by the shocking and unprecedented command.