Esther 3:15
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The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Haman's Elevation and His Design against the Jews - Est 3:1-15 King Ahashverosh promoted Haman the Agagite above all the princes about him, and commanded all his servants to fall down before him. This mark of reverence was refused by Mordochai the Jew from religious scruples. When intelligence of this was brought to Haman, he sought to obtain the extermination of the Jews throughout the kingdom (Est 3:1-6). The twelfth month was appointed by the casting of lots for this purpose; and Haman, by exciting the suspicion of the king against the Jews as an exclusive and law-opposing people, obtained from him an edict to this effect (Est 3:7-11), and sent it, by letters sealed with the king's seal, by the hand of messengers into all the provinces of the kingdom in the first month, that they might be ready to carry it into execution in the twelfth month; whereat the city of Susa was much perplexed (Est 3:12-15).
Open source ↗A very black and mournful scene here opens, and which threatens the ruin of all the people of God. Were there not some such dark nights, the light of the morning would not be so welcome. I. Haman is made the king's favourite (Est 3:1). II. Mordecai refuses to give him the honour he demands (Est 3:2-4). III. Haman, for his sake, vows to be revenged upon all the Jews (Est 3:5, Est 3:6). IV. He, upon a malicious suggestion, obtains an order from the king to have the all massacred upon a certain day (Est 3:7-13). V. This order is dispersed through the kingdom (Est 3:14, Est 3:15).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.
For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood.
The princes are inflamed with wine on the day of our king; so he joins hands with those who mock him.
“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them, and will celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them.
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you fail to grieve over the ruin of Joseph.