Esther 3:7-15 KJV

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

There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed . It is not always borne in mind how large a part of the Jewish nation remained in the lands to which they had been carried away captive, after the permission had been given to return. Josephus notes that the richer and more influential of the Babylonian Jews were very little inclined to quit Babylon ('Ant. Jud.,' 11:1). There was evidently a large Jewish colony at Susa ( infra, Esther 9:12-15 ). The Book of Tobit shows that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:8

A people scattered and apart. This very remarkable language shows us that the Jews have been one and the same people for thousands of years. This description of the Jews is from the lips of an enemy; still, except in the last clause, it is just and true. In their captivity in the East, in their dispersion, in their present condition throughout Christendom, the Jews are a people by themselves, scattered and apart. I. THE FACT OF ISRAEL 'S ISOLATION . The descendants of Jacob... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:8

The true Church described by untruthful lips. Infant lips sometimes utter greatest truths. Shallowest brain sometimes originates most politic scheming. Swine root out and tread underfoot pearls of unpriced value. Bad men often preach good doctrine, Now "the Jews' enemy" ( Esther 3:10 ) volunteers the highest description, the most complimentary characterisation, of the Jew. And this passage proffers for notice a contrast not only full as remarkable in the depth of it as any of these, but... 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 3:9

If it please the king, lot it be written that they may be destroyed, and I will pay , etc. This startling proposition, to which the king might well have demurred, for even Xerxes could scarcely have regarded such a massacre as a light matter, is followed immediately, and before the king has time to reflect, by the tempting offer of such a bribe as even a king could not view with indifference. Xerxes had once, if we may trust Herodotus, declined to accept from a subject a gift of money equal... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:9

The price of blood. Never was a more nefarious bargain proposed than this. That Haman not only plotted to destroy the Jews, but even offered to buy their lives, this is indeed a proof of the cruelty and baseness of his nature. I. CRUELTY APPEALS TO AVARICE . Favourites always amass money; often by the most unscrupulous means. Tyrants always want money to spend on their pleasures and their ostentation. Haman offers to Ahasuerus a large sum to secure his assent to the destruction... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:11

The silver is given thee, the people also . Not "the silver which thou hast given me is given back to thee," for the 10,000 talents had not been given, but only offered. Rather, "the silver of the people is given thee, together with the people themselves, to do with both as it pleases thee." Confiscation always accompanies execution in the East, and the goods of those who are put to death naturally escheat to the crown, which either seizes them or makes a grant of them. Compare Esther 8:11 ... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:7-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:8-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:10-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:11

Group of Brands