Esther 3:11

Modern

“Keep your money,” said the king to Haman. “These people are given to you to do with them as you please.”

Traditional

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.

Literal

And the king said to Haman, “The silver is given to you, and the people, to do with them as is good in your eyes.”

Latin

…dixitque ad eum: Argentum, quod tu polliceris, tuum sit; de populo age quod tibi placet.

Hebrew

English

“Keep your money,” said the king to Haman. “These people are given to you to do with them as you please.”

The king agreed without any investigation. He appears irresponsible and easily influenced. By removing his signet ring, the king gave up control over official policies. By giving it to Haman, he showed that Haman had full authority to seal the decree.
the enemy of the Jews: The narrator's new title for Haman hints at his power to harm the Jews (see also Esther 8:1; 9:10, 24).
Keep your money...These people are given to you to do: It seems the king did not want the bribe, but Genesis 4:7 suggests Haman did give the money. The king followed a common practice to make the bribe and his greed less obvious (compare Genesis 23:10–16). For public appearance, the king pretended not to care about the money, but he actually did.

Haman's hatred for Mordecai grows into a plan to kill all the Jewish people.

Theme notes and profiles

Jeremiah 26:14
As for me, here I am in your hands; do to me what you think is good and right.
Luke 23:25
As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will.
Jeremiah 40:4
But now, behold, I am freeing you today from the chains that were on your wrists. If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, then come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther. Look, the whole land is before you. Wherever it seems good and right to you, go there.”
Psalm 73:7
From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.

Haman: A Persian official who plotted to destroy the Jews