Esther 3:10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 3:7-15

Haman values himself upon that bold and daring thought, which he fancied well became his great spirit, of destroying all the Jews?an undertaking worthy of its author, and which he promised himself would perpetuate his memory. He doubts not but to find desperate and bloody hands enough to cut all their throats if the king will but give him leave. How he obtained leave, and commission to do it, we are here told. He had the king's ear, let him alone to manage him. I. He makes a false and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 3:10

And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. As a token of his affection for him, and a mark of honour to him; with the Persians F23 Alex. ab. Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 1. c. 26. & l. 2. c. 19. for a king to give a ring to anyone was a token and bond of the greatest love and friendship imaginable; and it may be this was given to Haman, to seal with it the letters that were or should be written, giving order for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 3:10

The king took his ring - In this ring was no doubt included his privy seal, and he gave this to Haman, that when he had formed such a decree as he thought fit, he might seal it with this ring, which would give it its due force and influence among the rulers of the provinces. The privy seal of many of our sovereigns appears to have been inserted in their rings; and the seals of Eastern potentates were worn in rings upon their fingers. One such seal, once the property of the late... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:7-15

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:7-15

Superstition and cynicism. Haman now proceeds to carry out the terrible plan of revenge on which he had resolved. Some important steps had to be taken before he could reach his end. These seem to us strange and incongruous. We may learn from them— I. THAT THE FREEDOM WHICH " NEITHER FEARS GOD NOR REGARDS MAN " MAY BE A SLAVE TO SUPERSTITION . Haman was a fatalist. He consulted Pur, or the lot, as to the day which would be favourable for his intended... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:8-15

HAMAN PERSUADES AHASUERUS TO PUBLISH A DECREE COMMANDING THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL THE JEWS IN HIS KINGDOM ON THE ENSUING THIRTEENTH DAY OF ADAR ( Esther 3:8-15 ). Having formed his own resolve, it remained for Haman to bring his proposal before Ahasuerus in such a shape as should secure his acquiescence in it. For this purpose he thought it best, first, to raise a prejudice against the Jews by representing them as bad subjects, causing trouble... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:10

The king took his ring from his hand . Rather, "took his signet from his hand." This may have been a ring, for signet-rings were known to the Persians, but is perhaps more likely to have been a cylinder, like that of Darius, his father, which is now in the British Museum. And gave it unto Haman . Thus giving him the power of making whatsoever edicts he pleased, since nothing was requisite to give authority to an edict but the impression of the royal seal (see Herod; 3:128). For similar... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:10-11

Power in bad hands. How all the links in the chain of evil counsel were fastened together! The tyrannical king was willing enough, in order to please a favourite, to decree the slaughter of a whole people scattered through his dominions. The cruel minister of state was willing enough to take the king s signet, and to issue the decree of extermination. The scribes were willing enough to write the missives of destruction. The lieutenants, governors, and rulers were willing enough to receive... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Esther 3:10

Esther 3:10. And the king took his ring from his hand, &c. Without any examination into the condition of the people, he consented to their destruction. So loath are men that love their pleasure to take any pains to distinguish between truth and falsehood. And gave it unto Haman That he might keep it as a badge of his supreme authority under the king, and that he might use it for the sealing of this decree which was now made, or of any other that might be made hereafter. The Agagite,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Esther 3:1-15

3:1-7:10 PLAN TO DESTROY THE JEWSHaman plots evil (3:1-15)Some time later, a proud and ambitious man named Haman was promoted to the position of chief minister in the Empire. He apparently demanded that people honour him almost as if he were a god. Mordecai refused, letting it be known that he was a Jew, and claiming that to give Haman such honour was against his Jewish religion. Haman was furious, and decided to get his revenge by killing all the Jews in the Empire (3:1-6). (Esther had now... read more

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