Esther 3

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Esther 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.

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.

3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

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.

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

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.

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.

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.

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.

10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Notes

Cross Reference

Concordance

Commentary

Rashi

Verse 1

<html>After these events. That this remedy was created as a salvation for Yisroel. King [Achashveirosh] conferred eminence on Haman. For the Holy One Blessed Is He, creates a remedy for Yisroel’s blow before He brings the blow upon them.¹Maseches Megillah 13b. </html>

Verse 2

<html>Kneeled and prostrated themselves. Because he made himself as a god;²Esther Rabbah 7:5. Alternatively, his robes were decorated with idols. (Ibn Ezra) therefore, “but Mordechai would neither kneel nor prostrate himself.” </html>

Verse 4

<html>If Mordechai’s avowal would be sustained. Who said that he would never prostrate himself because he is a Jew, and was admonished against idolatry.³Esther Rabbah 7:8. When his servants told him that Mordechai refused to kneel, Haman remarked that Mordechai’s ancestors, Yaakov, Rachel and their children had prostrated themselves before Eisav, Haman’s ancestor. Upon hearing Haman’s remark, Mordechai replied that he was a descendant of Binyamin, who was born after Yaakov’s meeting with Eisav, and who had thus never prostrated himself before Eisav. Alternatively, היעמדו דברי מרדכי means “whether Mordechai’s words will avail,” i.e., if his actions were successful they would become a precedent for others to follow. </html>

Verse 7

<html>A pur was cast. Whoever cast, cast, and the verse does not specify who [cast the pur]. This is an abbreviated verse. Meaning “lot.” Scripture explains; and what is the pur? “That is the lot.” He cast lots [to determine] in which month he would succeed. For a specific day. On which day of the month he would succeed.⁴Haman felt gratified when the lot he cast resulted in the month of Adar, because Moshe died in that month so it was obviously an inopportune time for the Jews. (Maseches Megillah 13b) </html>

Verse 8

<html>And [they do not abide by] his majesty’s bylaws. To pay taxes for the king’s work. Has nothing to gain. There is no apprehension; i.e., there is no profit by letting the Jews live. </html>

Verse 9

<html>Let it be inscribed that they are to be exterminated. Let letters be written to be sent to the ministers of the provinces to destroy them.⁵Haman had advised Achashveirosh to entice the Jews into behaving sinfully so that they would incur God’s wrath. Following Haman’s advice, Achashveirosh invited the Jews to the royal feast. Using his foresight, Mordechai them not to attend. However, many ignored his warning and joined in the drunken debauchery. The incriminating angel then argued that the Jews were worthy of destruction, and God agreed. (Esther Rabbah 7:13) </html>

Verse 10

<html>The king removed his ring. This represents the granting of any great matter that is required of the king;⁶Otherwise why would the king present the ring to Haman who did not ask for it but rather requested to annihilate the Jews. The king’s removal of his ring was more effective than the forty-eight prophets sent by God to admonish the Jews. They were unable to convince them to repent, but the transfer of the ring to Haman resulted in repentance and three days of fasting. (Maseches Megillah 14a) that the one who has the ring on his hand is the ruler over all the king’s affairs. </html>

Verse 13

<html>So that scrolls would be dispatched. And letters shall be sent, estre tramis in O.F. [to be sent], which is of the [same grammatical] form as, “Did he ever fight [נִלְחוֹם]?”⁷Shoftim 11:25. and as “Did I not appear [הַנִגְלֹה]?”⁸I Shmuel 2:27. and as “will be silenced [נִדְמֹה].”⁹Hoshea 10:15. On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. On the thirteenth day of that month [Adar], which is the twelfth of the months of the year. </html>

Verse 14

<html>The terms. An Aramaic term [meaning] the account of the writ, disreinement in O.F. [text, content, account]. Would become legally binding. The command of the writ which proclaimed that the decree of the king should be issued as a statute. Displayed conspicuously before all the people. This matter [that they be prepared for this specific date].</html>

Verse 15

<html>And the decree was delivered in Shushan. The place where the king was situated; there the statute was issued on that day, to be poised for the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. Therefore, The city of Shushan was in confusion. I.e., the Jews therein.¹⁰The gentiles of Shushan began to harass and taunt the Jews by telling them that they will be killed and their money will be confiscated. (Esther Rabbah 7:25)</html>

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Table of Contents

Esther 3

Esther 3

Notes

Cross Reference

Concordance

Commentary

Rashi

Verse 1

Verse 2

Verse 4

Verse 7

Verse 8

Verse 9

Verse 10

Verse 13

Verse 14

Verse 15