1
After these things Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, was promoted by King Ahasuerus, and his rank was raised, and his position was set above all the officials who were with him.
2
And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him; but Mordecai did not bow down and did not pay homage.
3
Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?”
4
And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s conduct would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5
When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down and pay homage to him, Haman was filled with anger.
6
But he thought it beneath him to lay hands on Mordecai alone, since they had made known to him Mordecai’s people. So Haman sought a way to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the kingdom of Ahasuerus.
7
In the first month, that is, the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur — that is, the lot — before Haman, day by day and month by month, until it fell on the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar.
8
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and separated among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of every people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so it is not fitting for the king to tolerate them.
9
If it please the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them; and I will weigh out ten thousand talents of silver and deliver it into the hands of the officials, that they may put it into the king’s treasury.”
10
So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.
11
Then the king said to Haman, “The silver is given to you, and the people also, to do with them as seems good to you.”
12
Then on the thirteenth day of the first month the king’s scribes were summoned, and according to all that Haman commanded, letters were written to the king’s satraps, to each governor over a province, and to each official of a people, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language; they were written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring.
13
The letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar, and to take their goods as plunder.
14
A copy of the letter was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that they might be ready for that day.
15
So the couriers went out in haste at the king’s command, and the decree was issued in the fortress of Susa. Meanwhile the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.
🗡️📜🔥 Summary of Esther 3 – Haman Plots the Destruction of the Jewish People
Esther 3 is a dark turning point in this story: Haman, the great enemy of the Jewish people, is raised to the highest office after King Ahasuerus. When Mordecai refuses to bow before him because of his faith, Haman does not merely want to kill Mordecai — but the whole Jewish people. This chapter shows how hatred and power can produce a cruel plan, yet it also becomes the stage for God’s coming intervention.
📌 1. Haman Is Exalted and Mordecai Does Not Bow (verses 1–6)
➡️ King Ahasuerus raised Haman the Agagite to be a high official and ruler over the whole kingdom
➡️ Everyone bowed to Haman, except Mordecai
➡️ The gate officials rebuked Mordecai, but he still refused — because he was a Jew and worshiped only God
➡️ Haman was very angry, and he did not only want to kill Mordecai, but the whole Jewish people
🎯 Steadfast faith can sometimes invite danger, but it also invites the hand of God to work.
📌 2. Haman Plots the Destruction of the Jews (verses 7–11)
➡️ Haman cast lots (Pur) to determine the day for the destruction of the Jews
➡️ He came to the king and said that there was a certain people who were different, disobedient to the law, and deserving of destruction
➡️ He offered 10,000 talents of silver to the royal treasury in return
➡️ King Ahasuerus gave his signet ring to Haman and said: “Do as you think best.”
🎯 Slander, power, and money can be used to create evil policy — but God still holds the outcome in His hand.
📌 3. The Decree of Destruction Is Issued (verses 12–15)
➡️ Letters were sent to all the provinces (127 regions) in many languages, commanding:
- To kill, destroy, and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, men and women, in one day
➡️ That day was set in the month of Adar, on the 13th day
➡️ The city of Susa was bewildered and in panic, while Haman and the king sat drinking
🎯 Injustice may seem to win for a moment, but that is not the end of the story — God is preparing a way of escape.
📖 Main Teaching
- True faith does not bow to worldly power that breaks God’s command
- Personal hatred can blind the heart and drag many people into an evil plan
- Believers often face persecution simply because of their identity
- Haman represents antichrist powers, but God will frustrate all plans of darkness
- The darkest moment in life can become the stage for God’s miracle
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
➡️ Mordecai experienced rejection and danger because of his faith and steadfastness
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but… evil spirits in the air.”
➡️ Haman’s plan is a reflection of spiritual warfare against God’s people
“If God is on our side, who can be against us?”
➡️ Even though the situation seems hopeless, the Lord is still on His people’s side
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…”
➡️ The Jews will be saved — not by their own strength, but by God’s intervention
🕊️ “Mordecai did not bow down or worship him.” – Esther 3:2
🕊️ “Haman sought a way to destroy all the Jews…” – Esther 3:6
🕊️ “Do with that people as seems good to you.” – Esther 3:11
🕊️ “The city of Susa was bewildered…” – Esther 3:15
