Esther Chapter 3 centers on a plot by Haman to kill the Jews. Haman was honored by King Xerxes and given a very prestigious position above the other nobles in society. The nobles did honor him out of respect for both Haman and the king. However, Mordecai was obstinate and did not offer any particular feelings of good will towards him.
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 are the main points in the Book of Esther?
Esther, the beautiful Jewish wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), and her cousin Mordecai persuade the king to retract an order for the general annihilation of Jews throughout the empire. The massacre had been plotted by the king's chief minister, Haman, and the date decided by casting lots (purim).
What Esther 4 teaches us?
Understanding the perilous situation of the Jews is crucial in interpreting Esther 4. Jews had been taken into Persia as exiles (2:6). They were no longer in their land where the Temple and everything connected to the worship of God was based. [3] As a people, Jews were vulnerable.
What is the significance of the story of Esther?
The purpose of the Book of Esther is open to different interpretations. It can be understood as commending human responsibility instead of misguided dependence on God: the Jews in the book must take matters into their own hands to preserve their existence, rather than wait for God to act.
What does Esther 4 verse 14 mean?
This verse was spoken to Esther because she found herself in a position to rescue her people, the Jews, from death. But, if she followed through with her plans to intervene, she put her own life at risk because of the laws at that time.
Why did Esther call for a fast?
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.
How is the book of Esther relevant for us today?
Reading and rereading Esther assures us that God is not oblivious to our trials. Esther helps us train our eyes to see God at work through faithful people in unfaithful situations.
Why Esther was chosen?
In the Achaemenid Empire, the Persian king Ahasuerus seeks a new wife after his queen, Vashti, is deposed for disobeying him. Hadassah, a Jewess who goes by the name of Esther, is chosen to fulfill this role due to her beauty.
Is Esther a true story?
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 ...
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 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 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.
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 ).
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 Esther 3:2-6 mean?
Esther 3:2-6 All the royal officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him . But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. (3) Then the royal officials at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's command?".
Who is the God of Israel in the book of Esther?
Obviously it is not Haman's 'gods' guiding the lot here at all. It is Yahweh, the God of Israel! It is worth pointing out that this is one of the many times in the book of Esther that we see the invisible hand of God working to protect and help His people Israel. As He does for you and I today!
What is the conflict between Haman and Mordecai?
Thus, the conflict here between Haman and Mordecai gives us a glimpse of that which battles in our own hearts - the conflict between flesh and spirit. This battle may be internal and unseen to those around us, yet it is as real as the conflict that we see brewing in these first verses in Esther chapter 3. Mordecai then, is a picture of the Holy ...
Why did Haman tell Haman about Mordecai?
Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew. (5) When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. (6) Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai.
What did Haman look for in Mordecai?
Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews , throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. Um, not sure about you, but I'm thinking that that's a big negative (as to whether Haman could break the mould and be a nice guy!)
What prophecy did Jesus warn the Jews in Judea?
In a very sobering prophecy Jesus directly warned the Jews in Judea (and indirectly all believers on earth at that time) to flee for their lives when they see the 'abomination of desolation' for ' then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-- and never to be equaled again.
Who was honored in Est 3:1?
Est 3:1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. Throughout this whole book we shall see that king Xerxes, unfortunately, is not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Who wrote the book of Esther?
Written by James in Old Testament Summary. A short outline of the book of Esther as extracted (with permission) from The Bible Brief.
Who loved Esther more than all the women?
The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Ch.2:17)
Who is the king of Persia in the book of Esther?
The book of Esther begins with the all-powerful King of Persia (Ahasuerus) banishing his queen and seeking a replacement. Esther—the adopted daughter of Mordecai—finds favor with the king and is accepted as queen of the realm (Ch.2:17).
What did Haman say to King Ahasuerus?
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus: Haman's charge was the most dangerous possible; it was a half-truth. Yes, the Jews were a certain people scattered and dispersed; and yes they had their own laws. But their own laws, to this point, did not prevent them from keeping the kings laws as loyal subjects. i.
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.
What happened when Mordecai did not bow to Haman?
When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath.
Who did Haman destroy?
Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus; the people of Mordecai. a. It happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman: Apparently, Haman did not first notice Mordecai's stubborn resistance.
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 is Haman's conspiracy?
Haman's Conspiracy. A. Haman determines to destroy the Jews. 1. ( Est 3:1) 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.
SUMMARY
Ahasuerus Persian king and husband of Queen Esther More , all powerful king of Persia Persia was a southwestern Asian country. The Persian empire was a series of empires that occupied what is currently Afghanistan and Iran from 600 B.C.E. forward. Rulers of the Persian empire mentioned in the Bible are Cyrus and Darius.
SO WHAT?
The book of Esther teaches indirectly rather than directly four lessons: (1) Maintaining community and religious identity in foreign territory is a tricky but terribly important task. (2) Through wisdom Wisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
WHERE DO I FIND IT?
Esther is the seventeenth book of the Bible. It follows Nehemiah The governor of Jerusalem who rebuilt the city walls after the exile More and precedes Job.
WHO WROTE IT?
The book of Esther gives no real hint as to who wrote the book. It was possibly written by a Jew living in the Diaspora Diaspora is separation or dispersion of people from their homeland. Historically, the Jews who have been scattered from their native Palestine are said to be in Dispersion or Diaspora.
WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN?
The book of Esther describes events that purportedly took place during the reign of the Persian King Ahasuerus, probably a reference to Xerxes I (486-465 B.C.E) or possibly Artaxerxes I or II (465-358 B.C.E.).
HOW DO I READ IT?
The book of Esther is best read as a satiric melodrama to be recited or dramatized each year during the Jewish festival of Purim, which this book both establishes and celebrates.
(8-9) Haman’s Proposal to King Ahasuerus.
(10-11) The King Agrees to The Plan.
- So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. And the king said to Haman, “The money and the people are given to you, to do with them as seems good to you.” a. The money and the people are given to you, to do with them as seems good to you: Again, king Ahasuerus probab...
(12-15) The Decree Is published.
- Then the king’s scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written according to all that Haman commanded; to the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province, to the officials of all people, to every province according to its script, and to every people in their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with th…