Tyndale Open Study NotesEsther 3

Haman's hatred for Mordecai grows into a plan to kill all the Jewish people.

People often bowed to those in higher positions (for example, Genesis 33:3). Mordecai worked at the palace's main gate, and Haman entered the king’s court through this gate. This gave Mordecai many chances to disobey the king's order by not bowing to Haman.

Haman did not care about justice; he wanted revenge. He was determined to do everything he could to destroy Mordecai, even if it meant wiping out all the Jews.

the Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before: Throwing the Purim was like throwing dice. The Hebrews used lots to understand God's will (Leviticus 16:8–10; Nehemiah 10:34). Persian astrologers used purim in the first month of the year to find out which days would bring good fortune.

• people scattered and dispersed: Jews marryied within their close communities and resisting integration into the larger culture.

• Their laws are different: They followed unique laws, including eating and religious customs, to remain separate from the sinful practices of surrounding people (Leviticus 14:42–45; 15:31; 19:2, 26–37).

• they do not obey the king’s laws: This accusation is generally false and likely refers to Mordecai’s refusal to bow to Haman.

• So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them: Haman exploited the king’s fears and interests, similar to what Memucan did in Esther 1:16. Intolerance toward any group contradicted the Persian tendency to respect cultural and religious differences.

Haman revealed his intentions by offering to bribe the king with a large amount of silver. This should have made the king suspicious of Haman's motives. The value of the proposed gift was so high that Haman may have exaggerated to show his intended generosity.

• The king agreed without any investigation. He appears irresponsible and easily influenced. By removing his signet ring, the king gave up control over official policies. By giving it to Haman, he showed that Haman had full authority to seal the decree.

• the enemy of the Jews: The narrator's new title for Haman hints at his power to harm the Jews (see also Esther 8:1; 9:10, 24).

• Keep your money...These people are given to you to do: It seems the king did not want the bribe, but Genesis 4:7 suggests Haman did give the money. The king followed a common practice to make the bribe and his greed less obvious (compare Genesis 23:10–16). For public appearance, the king pretended not to care about the money, but he actually did.

On the thirteenth day of the first month: Haman chose the day before the Jewish Passover (see Exodus 12:6) to scare and demoralize the Jews. However, just as during the Exodus, God would miraculously save the Jews from a tyrant trying to destroy them.

• The phrase destroy, kill, and annihilate is repeated with irony in Esther 8:11 and 9:5.

• the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month: Haman's "lucky day," chosen by casting lots (Esther 3:7), was eleven months after the decree. By God's plan, this gave time to overcome the decree.

• The property of the Jews would be given to those who killed them. Haman cleverly bribed the potential executioners.

• This decree had the full authority of King Xerxes.

• The foolish king and wicked Haman celebrated, but the people of Susa were confused and upset by the unfair decree.