FocusHaman's decree and Esther's decision
Connection to the wholeThe planned destruction of the Jews brings Mordecai's appeal and Esther's decision to approach the king.
interpretation Esther 3:12
KJVThen were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
Read it in context
Haman’s Plot against the Jews
Start reading at Esther 3:1 (Esther 3:1 to Esther 3:15).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The planned destruction of the Jews brings Mordecai's appeal and Esther's decision to approach the king.
- 3:1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
- 3:2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
- 3:3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?
- 3:4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
- 3:5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
- 3:6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
- 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.
- 3:8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.
- 3:9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.
- 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.
- 3:11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
- 3:12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
- 3:13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
- 3:14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.
- 3:15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
Who
- Who wrote the book? The final author is unknown. Mordecai is a traditional proposal and wrote letters establishing Purim, but that does not prove he composed the whole book. Biblical references: Esther 9:20; Esther 9:29. book background
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Esther 3:1–3:15): Haman, Mordecai, the king, royal officials, and the threatened Jewish population are involved in the decree against the Jews. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Jewish communities in the Persian Empire and their descendants, especially those commemorating their deliverance at Purim. Biblical references: Esther 9:20; Esther 9:28. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Haman’s Plot against the Jews. Read Esther 3:1 through Esther 3:15 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The planned destruction of the Jews brings Mordecai's appeal and Esther's decision to approach the king. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The narrative dates events by the reign of Ahasuerus, including the threatened destruction and the days later commemorated as Purim. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Shushan's palace and the Persian provinces form the setting; court scenes and provincial events should be distinguished. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Haman’s Plot against the Jews (Esther 3:1 to Esther 3:15). Start reading at Esther 3:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The preservation of the Jewish people belongs to the wider history in which the New Testament places Jesus' birth. The book itself does not name Jesus, and detailed typological identifications require argument. See Esther 9:1, Matthew 1:1, Matthew 1:17. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Consider courage, timely advocacy, and responsibility toward endangered neighbors. A reading of providence is an interpretation of the story's arrangement, rather than an explicit mention of God's name in its verses. interpretation
Cited: Esther 3:1, Esther 3:15, Esther 9:1, Matthew 1:1, Matthew 1:17
Who wrote it, and how we know
Uncertain; traditionally Mordecai
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It records that Mordecai wrote these things.
Esther 9:20
Early traditionJewish tradition has suggested Mordecai.
What is debatedAuthorship is genuinely unknown. The book never names God directly.
Related passages
- Then were Esth 8:9-17
- according Esth 1:22 Esth 8:9 Esth 9:27
- in the name 1 Kgs 21:8 Dan 6:8,12,15
- sealed Esth 8:2,8,10
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Esther 3
Esther is set in the Persian court and provinces during Ahasuerus' reign. The text does not name its author. God's name is not explicitly used in the Hebrew-book narrative as represented here in the KJV; claims about providence are interpretive conclusions from the story. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Esther 1:1 Esther 4:14 Esther 9:26
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Esther
Esther is set in the Persian court and provinces during Ahasuerus' reign. The text does not name its author. God's name is not explicitly used in the Hebrew-book narrative as represented here in the KJV; claims about providence are interpretive conclusions from the story.
Esther 1:1 Esther 4:14 Esther 9:26
Esther enters the royal household
Esther 1:1–2:23FocusThe court and an unrecognized service
Connection to the wholeThe change of queen and Mordecai's discovery of a plot establish circumstances important to the later reversal.
interpretation FocusHaman's decree and Esther's decision
Connection to the wholeThe planned destruction of the Jews brings Mordecai's appeal and Esther's decision to approach the king.
interpretation The reversal begins
Esther 5:1–7:10FocusBanquets, remembrance, and Haman's fall
Connection to the wholeEsther's petitions and the king's remembrance of Mordecai reverse the positions of Mordecai and Haman.
interpretation Deliverance and remembrance
Esther 8:1–10:3FocusA counter-decree and Purim
Connection to the wholeThe danger is addressed through a new decree, and the events become the basis for the observance of Purim.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.