Esther 3:8

Translations

Modern

Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And Haman said to king Ahasuerus, “There is one people scattered and separated between the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws are different from all people, and the laws of the king they are not doing, and for the king it is not fitting to let them remain.

Latin

Dixitque Aman regi Assuero: Est populus per omnes provincias regni tui dispersus, et a se mutuo separatus, novis utens legibus et cæremoniis, insuper et regis scita contemnens: et optime nosti quod non expediat regno tuo ut insolescat per licentiam.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.

Notes

Esther 3:8

people scattered and dispersed: Jews marryied within their close communities and resisting integration into the larger culture.
Their laws are different: They followed unique laws, including eating and religious customs, to remain separate from the sinful practices of surrounding people (Leviticus 14:42–45; 15:31; 19:2, 26–37).
they do not obey the king’s laws: This accusation is generally false and likely refers to Mordecai’s refusal to bow to Haman.
So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them: Haman exploited the king’s fears and interests, similar to what Memucan did in Esther 1:16. Intolerance toward any group contradicted the Persian tendency to respect cultural and religious differences.

Esther 3:1–15

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

Theme notes and profiles

The Amalekites Ethnic Hatred

Related verses

Ezra 4:12–15
Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring its walls and repairing its foundations.
Acts 16:20–21
They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil
Jeremiah 50:17
Israel is a scattered flock, chased away by lions. The first to devour him was the king of Assyria; the last to crush his bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.”
John 7:35
At this, the Jews said to one another, “Where does He intend to go that we will not find Him? Will He go where the Jews are dispersed among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
Leviticus 26:33
But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste.
Deuteronomy 4:27
Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you.
Zechariah 7:14
But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known, and the land was left desolate behind them so that no one could come or go. Thus they turned the pleasant land into a desolation.”
Deuteronomy 32:26
I would have said that I would cut them to pieces and blot out their memory from mankind,
Ezekiel 6:8
Yet I will leave a remnant, for some of you will escape the sword when you are scattered among the nations and throughout the lands.
Acts 28:22
But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”
Deuteronomy 30:3
…then He will restore you from captivity and have compassion on you and gather you from all the nations to which the LORD your God has scattered you.
Acts 17:6–7
But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here,

People

Ahasuerus: Persian Emperor (probably Xerxes I); husband of Esther Haman: A Persian official who plotted to destroy the Jews

Glossary

Book of Esther Calendars (Ancient and Modern) Haman Hammedatha

Topics

Babylon: Empire of Tyrannical Falsehood: Haman, in his Conspiracy Against the Jews Lots, Feast of Purim: The: To Commemorate the Defeat of Haman's Wicked Design Malice: Haman Toward Mordecai Medo-Persian Kingdom: Ruled By, Absolute Kings Revenge by Haman Revenge: Haman Slander: Haman

Esther 3:8

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