Bible Commentaries
Esther 3

Introduction

Overview

Esther 3:1, Haman, advanced by the king, and despised by Mordecai, seeks revenge upon all the Jews; Esther 3:7, He casts lots; Esther 3:8, He obtains by calumniation a decree of the king to put the Jews to death.

Verse 1

am 3551, bc 453

promote Haman: Esther 7:6, Psalms 12:8, Proverbs 29:2

Agagite: Numbers 24:7, 1 Samuel 15:8, 1 Samuel 15:33

above all the princes: Esther 1:14, Genesis 41:40, Genesis 41:55, Ezra 7:14, Daniel 6:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:20 - his latter end Deuteronomy 25:19 - thou shalt Esther 3:2 - bowed not Esther 5:11 - and how he had Esther 9:10 - enemy Psalms 49:16 - Be not Psalms 73:6 - Therefore Proverbs 26:1 - so Ecclesiastes 10:6 - Folly Daniel 5:7 - the third

Verse 2

the king's servants: Dr. Shaw, speaking of the cities in the East, says, "If we quit the streets, and enter into any of the principal houses, we shall first pass through a porch, or gate-way, with benches on each side, where the master of the family receives visits, and despatches business; few persons, not even the nearest relations, having admission any farther, except upon extraordinary occasions." These servants were probably officers who here waited the king's call; and it is likely that Mordecai was one of them. Esther 2:19, Esther 2:21

bowed: Genesis 41:43, Philippians 2:10

bowed not: Yichra welo yishtachaweh, "bowed not down, nor prostrated himself," or worshipped him. Had this meant only civil reverence the king would not have needed to command it; nor would Mordecai have refused it; there was, therefore, some kind of divine honour intended, such as was paid to the Persian kings, and which even the Greeks refused, as express adoration. Esther 3:1, Esther 3:5, Exodus 17:14, Exodus 17:16, Deuteronomy 25:19, 1 Samuel 15:3, Psalms 15:4

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 1:31 - did reverence Esther 2:5 - a certain Jew Esther 3:3 - Why Esther 4:7 - all that had Esther 5:9 - he stood not up Esther 6:6 - To whom Esther 9:3 - the fear Esther 10:3 - accepted Psalms 49:18 - praise Proverbs 14:20 - but Daniel 2:49 - sat Mark 15:19 - and bowing

Verse 3

Why: Esther 3:2, Exodus 1:17, Matthew 15:2, Matthew 15:3

Reciprocal: Esther 2:19 - sat in the king's gate Esther 6:6 - To whom

Verse 4

when they spake: Genesis 39:10

that they told: Daniel 3:8, Daniel 3:9, Daniel 6:13

he had told: Ezra 1:3, Daniel 3:12, Daniel 3:16-18, Daniel 3:23-30, Daniel 6:20-28, Jonah 1:9

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:6 - I am

Verse 5

that Mordecai: Esther 3:2, Esther 5:9

full of wrath: Esther 1:12, Genesis 4:5, Genesis 4:6, Job 5:2, Proverbs 12:16, Proverbs 19:19, Proverbs 21:24, Proverbs 27:3, Proverbs 27:4, Daniel 3:19

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 18:8 - the saying Ezra 4:15 - this city Esther 9:24 - the enemy Psalms 73:6 - Therefore Proverbs 16:18 - General Ecclesiastes 7:9 - hasty Daniel 3:13 - in his Matthew 5:22 - That

Verse 6

sought: Psalms 83:4, Revelation 12:12

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 22:16 - and 1 Samuel 23:10 - destroy the city Psalms 12:8 - when Psalms 37:12 - General Psalms 73:6 - Therefore Psalms 94:20 - frameth Psalms 124:3 - Then they Proverbs 14:17 - a man Proverbs 21:24 - haughty Proverbs 24:2 - General Proverbs 27:3 - but Proverbs 28:15 - so Ecclesiastes 7:9 - hasty Jeremiah 33:24 - thus Daniel 3:8 - and accused Daniel 3:13 - in his Matthew 5:22 - That Acts 12:4 - intending

Verse 7

the first month: Nehemiah 2:1

in the twelfth: Esther 1:3, Esther 2:16

they cast Pur: Esther 9:24-26, Proverbs 16:33, Ezekiel 21:21, Ezekiel 21:22, Matthew 27:35

Adar: Esther 9:1, Esther 9:5, Esther 9:17-19, Esther 9:21, Ezra 6:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:2 - General Proverbs 24:2 - General Jonah 1:7 - and let Mark 6:21 - when Acts 12:4 - intending

Verse 8

scattered abroad: Leviticus 26:33, Deuteronomy 4:27, Deuteronomy 30:3, Deuteronomy 32:26, Nehemiah 1:8, Jeremiah 50:17, Ezekiel 6:8, Ezekiel 11:16, Zechariah 7:14, John 7:35, James 1:1, 1 Peter 1:1

their laws: Ezra 4:12-15, Acts 16:20, Acts 16:21, Acts 17:6, Acts 17:7, Acts 24:5, Acts 28:22

for the king's profit to: Heb. meet, or equal for the king to, etc

Reciprocal: Numbers 23:9 - dwell alone Ezra 4:22 - why should Esther 2:10 - had not showed Esther 4:1 - all that Esther 5:14 - speak thou Esther 6:4 - to speak Esther 8:3 - mischief Job 24:22 - draweth Psalms 74:8 - said Proverbs 11:11 - it Jeremiah 48:2 - come Jeremiah 48:42 - from Daniel 3:8 - and accused Daniel 3:12 - certain Daniel 6:5 - General Daniel 6:13 - regardeth Micah 2:1 - to Acts 9:2 - desired Acts 25:7 - and laid Ephesians 2:14 - the middle 1 Thessalonians 2:15 - contrary

Verse 9

that they may be destroyed: Heb. to destroy them

and I will pay: Heb. and I will weigh, Genesis 23:16, Here Haman is obliged to acknowledge that there would be a loss to the revenue, which he was willing to make up out of his own property. Ten thousand talents of silver, counted by the Babylonish talent, amount to 2,119,000.; but reckoned by the Jewish talent, they amount to double that sum. In those days, silver and gold were more plentiful than at present; and we have many instances of individuals possessing almost incredible riches. Herodotus relates, that when Xerxes went into Greece, Pythius the Lydian had 2,000 talents of silver, and 4,000,000 of gold darics, which unitedly amount to nearly 5,500,000. Plutarch tells us, that after Crassus had dedicated the tenth of all he had to Hercules, he entertained the Roman people at 10,000 tables, and distributed to every citizen as much corn as was sufficient for three months; and, after all these expenses, he had 7,100; Roman talents left, which amount to more than 1,500,000. Lentulus the augur is said to have possessed no less than 3,333,333. 6s. 8d. Apicius was worth more than 916,671 13s. 4d.; and, after having spent in his kitchen 833,333 6s. 8d. he considered the remainder too little for his support, and poisoned himself!

ten thousand: Matthew 18:24

Reciprocal: Ezra 4:22 - why should Esther 1:19 - it please the king Esther 2:4 - the thing Esther 7:4 - we are sold Job 18:8 - he is cast Psalms 74:8 - said Jeremiah 32:9 - weighed Daniel 3:8 - and accused Acts 16:20 - being Acts 25:15 - when Hebrews 3:4 - but

Verse 10

took: Esther 8:2, Esther 8:8, Genesis 41:42

enemy: or, oppressor, Esther 7:6

Reciprocal: Esther 2:4 - the thing Proverbs 18:13 - that Isaiah 10:1 - them Luke 15:22 - a ring James 2:2 - gold

Verse 11

to do: Psalms 73:7, Jeremiah 26:14, Jeremiah 40:4, Luke 23:25

Verse 12

Then were: Esther 8:9-17

scribes: or, secretaries

according: Esther 1:22, Esther 8:9, Esther 9:27

in the name: 1 Kings 21:8, Daniel 6:8, Daniel 6:12, Daniel 6:15

sealed: Esther 8:2, Esther 8:8, Esther 8:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:42 - his ring 2 Chronicles 30:5 - established Esther 4:3 - in every province Esther 8:5 - letters Esther 9:3 - the rulers Esther 9:17 - of the same Esther 9:20 - in all the provinces Esther 9:22 - the days Psalms 124:3 - Then they Daniel 2:13 - the decree Daniel 3:3 - the princes Daniel 3:10 - hast made Daniel 4:1 - unto all Daniel 6:25 - king Colossians 2:14 - the handwriting

Verse 13

by posts: Esther 8:10, Esther 8:14, 2 Chronicles 30:6, Job 9:25, Jeremiah 51:31, Romans 3:15

both young: 1 Samuel 15:3, 1 Samuel 22:19

in one day: Esther 8:12-14, James 2:13

the spoil: Esther 8:11, Esther 9:10, Isaiah 10:6

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 30:10 - the posts Ezra 6:15 - Adar Esther 7:4 - to be destroyed Esther 8:5 - letters Esther 8:9 - and to the lieutenants Esther 9:22 - the days Psalms 124:3 - Then they Jeremiah 25:10 - take from Lamentations 2:21 - young Daniel 3:3 - captains Acts 12:4 - intending

Verse 14

The copy: Esther 8:13, Esther 8:14

Reciprocal: Ezra 6:12 - I Darius Esther 4:8 - the copy

Verse 15

hastened: Proverbs 1:16, Proverbs 4:16

sat down: Hosea 7:5, Amos 6:6, John 16:20, Revelation 11:10

the city: Esther 4:16, Esther 8:15, Proverbs 29:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:25 - they sat Exodus 1:1 - General Judges 16:25 - their hearts 2 Kings 9:34 - he did eat 2 Chronicles 30:10 - the posts Ezra 6:12 - I Darius Ezra 7:13 - I make Esther 1:2 - Shushan Esther 4:8 - the copy Esther 5:4 - the banquet Esther 5:14 - go thou in Esther 7:1 - banquet Esther 8:14 - Shushan Esther 9:6 - Shushan Esther 9:29 - the daughter of Abihail Proverbs 19:10 - Delight Proverbs 31:4 - General Isaiah 22:5 - perplexity Ezekiel 21:10 - should Daniel 8:2 - Shushan