What is Chapter 3 of Esther about?
Chapters 3 to 8 contain the nine scenes that form the complication in the book. This chapter introduces Haman the Agagite, who is linked by his genealogy to King Agag, the enemy of Israel's King Saul, from whose father, Kish, Mordecai was descended (Esther 2:5–6).
What was Haman's job?
He was a barber at Kefar Karzum for the space of twenty-two years. Haman had an idolatrous image embroidered on his garments, so that those who bowed to him at command of the king bowed also to the image.
Who plotted to have the entire Hebrew nation completely exterminated?
The newly appointed grand vizier, an Ammonite named Haman (Ammon being the ancient enemy of Israel) began to plot “to destroy all the Jews … throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus” (Esther 3:6).
Who called for prayers when Haman wanted to wipe out the Jews?
Esther asked that her people fast and pray for three days for her. The fasting and prayers of her people gave the queen the courage to do what she needed to do. When she told the king of the wickedness of Haman, the king had him destroyed instead of Esther and her people.
Are there Amalekites today?
In addition, the Amalekites, as a physical nation, have been extinct since the time of Hezekiah's reign, according to the Hebrew Bible.
What is the main message of the Book of Esther?
The story of Esther proves that God's action is unceasing, and that God is always speaking! Integral to the story of Esther is that God works through events and speaks through people!
Is the Book of Esther true?
There is no reference to known historical events in the story; a general consensus, though this consensus has been challenged, has maintained that the narrative of Esther was invented in order to provide an aetiology for Purim, and the name Ahasuerus is usually understood to refer to a fictionalized Xerxes I, who ruled ...
Why is the Book of Esther important?
Written in the diaspora in the late Persian/early Hellenistic period (fourth century B.C.E.), the Book of Esther is a Jewish novella that deals with the enduring issues of preserving Jewish identity and ensuring survival amid cultural pressures and hostile enemies in a foreign land.
What does plunder mean in Esther?
The term plunder is a translation of the Hebrew bizah, which is used in the Book of Esther to describe the wealth which the Jews of Persia—who... See full answer below.
Why did Queen Esther fast for 3 days?
Fasting in the Book of Esther The 13th of Adar itself is thought to have been a fast day for the warriors while going out to battle, as it is believed to have been customary to fast during the battle in order to gain divine favor.
What was God's plan for Esther?
God had promised to bless the world through Abraham's family and to send a King from the line of David who would rule forever. Esther had a choice to make. She could do nothing and face destruction (Esth. 4:13-14), or she could risk her life by approaching the king to plead for the protection of the Jews.
How old was Queen Esther when died?
According to one tradition, she was forty years old, while another places her age at seventy-four, which is the numerical value of the name “Hadassah” (Esther's second name), or, according to another calculation of this numerical value, seventy-five (see above).
What is the feast of Esther 1:3?
Esther 1:3#N#In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
What does Esther 9:24-26 mean?
Esther 9:24-26#N#Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; …
What month is Tanakh 1917?
JPS Tanakh 1917. In the first month, which 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, which is the month Adar. Literal Standard Version.
What month was the lot cast in Haman's presence?
In the twelfth year of the reign of King Ahasuerus, in the first month (the month Nisan), the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in Haman's presence to determine the best day and month to carry out his plot. The lot indicated the twelfth month, the month Adar. JPS Tanakh 1917.
What month is Pur cast before Haman?
In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, Pur, that is the lot, was cast before Haman from day to day and from month to month, until the twelfth month, that is the month Adar.
What month was the thirteenth day of the 12th month decided on?
The thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, was decided on. GOD'S WORD® Translation. In Xerxes' twelfth year as king, [Pur] (which means [the lot]) was thrown in front of Haman for every day of every month, from Nisan, the first month, until Adar, the twelfth month. International Standard Version.
What month did the lot fall on in the Bible?
And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar. King James Bible.
Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help
4 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.
Mordecai Honored
6 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
Haman Impaled
7 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
What does Esther 3:7 mean?
Esther 3:7. being a Persian word, it is explained in Hebrew a lot, the word signifying "steel" in the Persian language. Reland F16 conjectures that this was that sort of lot called "sideromantia".
What is the lot before Haman?
four years and near two months after his marriage of Esther, ( Esther 2:16 ) , they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman; being a Persian word, it is explained in Hebrew a lot, the word signifying "steel" in the Persian language. Reland F16 conjectures that this was that sort of lot called "sideromantia".
What month is Adar?
the month Adar; which answers to part of January and part of February; so that the lot was cast for every month and every day of the month throughout the year, to find out which was the most lucky month, and which the most lucky day in that month, to destroy the Jews in and none could be found till they came to the last month, ...
What is the first month of Esther 3:7?
Esther 3:7. “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.”. King James Version (KJV)
What is the moneth in the twelfth yeere?
Share This Verse: � In the first moneth (that is, the moneth Nisan) in the twelfth yeere of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman, from day to day, and from moneth to moneth, to the twelfth moneth, that is the moneth Adar.
What month did Ahasuerus cast Pur?
In the first month, which 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, and chose the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. - World English Bible.
What month is the lot in the Bible?
In the first month, which 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, which is the month Adar. - Jewish Publication Society Bible. Wesley's Notes for Esther 3:7.
What is the first month of Esther 3:7?
Esther 3:7 Commentaries: In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, Pur, that is the lot, was cast before Haman from day to day and from month to month, until the twelfth month, that is the month Adar. Bible> Commentaries> Esther 3:7. ◄Esther 3:7 ►.
What is the name of the month in the Pentateuch?
Nisan. —The later name of the month, known in the Pentateuch as Abib. In this month the Passover had been first instituted, when God smote the Egyptians with a terrible visitation, the death of the first-born, and bade the destroying angel spare the houses with the blood-besprinkled door-posts. It was in the same month that ...
What is the lot before Haman?
they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman; being a Persian word, it is explained in Hebrew a lot, the word signifying "steel" in the Persian language. Reland (p) conjectures that this was that sort of lot called "sideromantia".
What does "from day to day, from month to the twelfth month" mean?
The words "from day to day, from month to the twelfth month," must not be understood to say, that lots were cast day by day and month by month till the twelfth; but that in the first month lots were at once cast, one after the other, for all the days and months of the year, that a favourable day might be obtained.
Who said there is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus , “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people’s, and they do not keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain.
What does Haman determine to destroy?
A. Haman determines to destroy the Jews. 1. (1) Haman’s promotion. After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. a.
What did Haman do when Mordecai did not bow?
But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus; the people of Mordecai. a.
What does the wounded pride of Haman drive him to seek retribution against?
3. (4-6) The wounded pride of Haman drives him to seek retribution against not only Mordecai and his people – the Jews. Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai ’s words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.
What was Haman filled with?
Haman was filled with wrath: Haman was an extremely proud and insecure man; he could only consider himself a success if everyone else thought he was a success. c. Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom: Haman’s anger led him to take out his wrath upon all the Jews in the kingdom.
What does "to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews" mean?
To destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day: With this, an empire-wide death sentence on the Jews was announced by the king. This was like other attacks against the Jewish people in history, except that it was announced well in advance. b.
Who was Haman in Exodus?
Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite: Haman was a descendant of Agag, who was the king of the Amalekites, the people who were Israel’s sworn enemy for generations ( Exodus 17:14-16 ).