Esther 3:7-8

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 3:7

In the first month, that is the month Nisan ,.... Which was the first month of the sacred year of the Jews, by divine appointment, Exodus 12:2 , and there called Abib, and answers to part of February and part of March; from hence it is clear this book was written by a Jew, and very probably by Mordecai: in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus ; 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 3:8

And Haman said unto King Ahasuerus , Or "had said" F18 ויאמר "dixerat enim", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius, so Patrick. , as some choose to render it; nor indeed is it likely that Haman should cast lots to know when would be a proper time to destroy the Jews, until he had got leave of the king to do it: there is a certain people scattered abroad, and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom ; for, though many of the Jews returned to their own... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 3:7

The first month - That is, of the civil year of the Jews. The month Nisan - Answering to a part of our March and April. The twelfth year of king Ahasuerus - According to the chronology in our Bibles, about five hundred and ten years before Christ. They cast Pur , that is , the lot - This appears to be the Hebrew corruption of the pure Persian word pari , which signifies any thing that happens fortuitously. There is an addition here in the Greek... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Esther 3:8

Their laws are diverse from all people - Such they certainly were; for they worshipped the true God according to his own laws; and this was not done by any other people then on the face of the earth. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:7

In the first month, the month Nisan . See the comment on Nehemiah 2:1 . This name was first given to the month by the Jews after the return from the captivity. It was the Babylonian name of the first month of the year, and superseded the old Jewish name, Abib . The twelfth year of … Ahasuerus — b.c. 474, if Ahasuerus be Xerxes . They cast Pur, that is, the lot . The superstitious use of lots has always been prevalent in the East, and continues to the present day. Lots were drawn, or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 3:7

Consulting omens. "They cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day." "Pur" is an old Persian word said to signify "part" or "lot." Haman resorted to the practice of casting a lot to find out what he believed would be a lucky day for his design. He had a blind faith in the unseen, and in the overruling of supernatural powers. He inquired of his idols, and acted according to received superstitions. His object was an evil one, but he supposed that his god would be on his side.... 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

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

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