Esther 3
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Haman - the Agagite - Perhaps he was some descendant of that Agag, king of the Amalekites, spared by Saul, but destroyed by Samuel; and on this ground might have an antipathy to the Jews. Set his seat above all the princes - Made him his prime minister, and put all the officers of state under his direction.
Open source ↗HAMAN, ADVANCED BY THE KING, AND DESPISED BY MORDECAI, SEEKS REVENGE ON ALL THE JEWS. (Est 3:1-15) After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman . . . set his seat above all the princes--that is, raised him to the rank of vizier, or prime confidential minister, whose pre-eminence in office and power appeared in the elevated state chair appropriated to that supreme functionary. Such a distinction in seats was counted of vast importance in the formal court of Persia.
Open source ↗After these things,.... After the marriage of Esther, and the discovery of the conspiracy to take away the king's life, five years after, as Aben Ezra observe, at least more than four years, for so it appears from Est 3:7 did King Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite; whom both the Targums make to descend from Amalek, and to be of the stock or family of Agag, the common name of the kings of Amalek; and so Josephus (g); but this is not clear and certain; in the apocryphal Esther he is said to be a Macedonian; and Sulpitius the historian says (h) he was a Persian, which is not improbable; and Agag might be the name of a family or city in Persia, of which he was; and Aben Ezra observes, that some say he is the same with Memucan, see Est 1:14, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him; erected a throne for him, higher than the rest, either of his own princes and nobles, or such as were his captives, see Kg2 25:28. It was the custom of the kings of Persia, which it is probable was derived from Cyrus, to advance those to the highest seats they thought best deserved it: says he to his nobles, let there be seats with you as with me, and let the best be honoured before others;--and again, let all the best of those present be honoured with seats above others (i). (g) Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6.) sect. 5. (h) Hist. Sacr. l. 2. p. 78. (i) Xenophon, Cyropaedia, l. 8. c. 41.
Open source ↗The elevation of Haman above all the princes of the kingdom is said in a general manner to have taken place "after these things," i.e., after the matters related in Est 2. גּדּל, to make great, to make any one a great man; נשּׂא, elevated, is more precisely defined by the sentence following: he set his seat above all the princes that were with him, i.e., above the seat of all the princes about the king; in fact, advanced him to the highest post, made him his grand vizier. Haman is called the son of Hammedatha האגגי, the Agagite, or of the Agagites. אגגי recalls אגג kings of the Amalekites, conquered and taken prisoner by Saul, and hewn in pieces by Samuel, Sa1 15:8, Sa1 15:33. Hence Jewish and Christian expositors regard Haman as a descendant of the Amalekite king. This is certainly possible, though it can by no means be proved. The name Agag is not sufficient for the purpose, as many individuals might at different times have borne the name אגג, i.e., the fiery. In 1 Sam 15, too, Agag is not the nomen propr. of the conquered king, but a general nomen dignitatis of the kings of Amalek, as Pharaoh and Abimelech were of the kings of Egypt and Gerar. See on Num 24:7. We know nothing of Haman and his father beyond what is said in this book, and all attempts to explain the names are uncertain and beside the mark. Est 3:2 All the king's servants that were in the gate of the king, i.e., all the court officials, were to kneel before Haman and bow themselves to the earth. So had the king commanded concerning him. This mark of reverence was refused by Mordochai. Est 3:3-4 When the other officials of the court asked him from day to day, why he transgressed the king's commandment, and he hearkened not unto them, i.e., gave no heed to their words, they told it to Haman, "to see wheth…
Open source ↗Here we have, I. Haman advanced by the prince, and adored thereupon by the people. Ahasuerus had lately laid Esther in his bosom, but she had no such interest in him as to get her friends preferred, or to prevent the preferring of one who she knew was an enemy to her people. When those that are good become great they still find that they cannot do good, nor prevent mischief, as they would. This Haman was an Agagite (an Amalekite, says Josephus), probably of the descendants of Agag, a common name of the princes of Amalek, as appears, Num 24:7. Some think that he was by birth a prince, as Jehoiakim was, whose seat was set above the rest of the captive kings (Kg2 25:28), as Haman's here was, Est 3:1. The king took a fancy to him (princes are not bound to give reasons for their favours), made him his favourite, his confidant, his prime-minister of state. Such a commanding influence the court then had that (contrary to the proverb) those whom it blessed the country blessed too; for all men adored this rising sun, and the king's servants were particularly commanded to bow before him and to do him reverence (Est 3:2), and they did so. I wonder what the king saw in Haman that was commendable or meritorious; it is plain that he was not a man of honour or justice, of any true courage or steady conduct, but proud, and passionate, and revengeful; yet was he promoted, and caressed, and there was none so great as he. Princes' darlings are not always worthies. II. Mordecai adhering to his principles with a bold and daring resolution, and therefore refusing to reverence Haman as the rest of the king's servants did, Est 3:2. He was urged to it by his friends, who reminded him of the king's commandment, and consequently of the danger he incurred if he refused to comply with it; it was as…
Open source ↗3:1-15 Haman’s hatred for Mordecai develops into a plot to kill all the Jewish people.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (ʼĂchashvêrôwsh, H325) — Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather… גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,… הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מְדָתָא (Mᵉdâthâʼ, H4099) — Medatha, the father of Haman אֲגָגִי (ʼĂgâgîy, H91) — an Agagite or descendent (subject) of Agag נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class)
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate כָּרַע (kâraʻ, H3766) — to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah)
Open source ↗הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite כָּרַע (kâraʻ, H3766) — to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
Open source ↗עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) בָּזָה (bâzâh, H959) — to disesteem שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (ʼĂchashvêrôwsh, H325) — Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather…
Open source ↗רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month נִיסָן (Nîyçân, H5212) — Nisan, the first month of the Jewish sacred year שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (ʼĂchashvêrôwsh, H325) — Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather… נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… פּוּר (Pûwr, H6332) — a lot (as by means of a broken piece) גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl, H1486) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (ʼĂchashvêrôwsh, H325) — Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather… יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… פָּזַר (pâzar, H6340) — to scatter, whether in enmity or bounty פָּרַד (pârad, H6504) — to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself) מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion דָּת (dâth, H1881) — a royal edict or statute שָׁנָה (shânâh, H8138) — to fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2895) — to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) שָׁקַל (shâqal, H8254) — to suspend or poise (especially in trade) עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… כִּכָּר (kikkâr, H3603) — a circle, i.e. (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the Ghor or… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) גֶּנֶז (genez, H1595) — treasure; by implication, a coffer
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath, H2885) — properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מְדָתָא (Mᵉdâthâʼ, H4099) — Medatha, the father of Haman אֲגָגִי (ʼĂgâgîy, H91) — an Agagite or descendent (subject) of Agag יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) צָרַר (tsârar, H6887) — to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפַּן (ʼăchashdarpan, H323) — a satrap or governorof amain province (of Persia) פֶּחָה (pechâh, H6346) — a prefect (of a city or small district) מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a…
Open source ↗סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old טַף (ṭaph, H2945) — a family (mostly used collectively in the singular) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman
Open source ↗פַּרְשֶׁגֶן (parshegen, H6572) — a transcript כָּתָב (kâthâb, H3791) — something written, i.e. a writing, record or book דָּת (dâth, H1881) — a royal edict or statute נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָתִיד (ʻâthîyd, H6264) — prepared; by implication, skilful; feminine plural the future; also treasure יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.
Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.
and over them three administrators, including Daniel, to whom these satraps were accountable so that the king would not suffer loss.
But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.
So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.
He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword.
You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom.
And once again, Esther addressed the king. She fell at his feet weeping and begged him to revoke the evil scheme of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews.
You are sent by the king and his seven counselors to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand.