Esther 3 explained: A Grudge Becomes a Death Order

Haman rises, Mordecai refuses (vv. 1-4)

The king makes Haman his top official and orders everyone at the palace gate, where court officials gathered and did business, to bow low before him. Mordecai refuses and explains only that he is a Jew; the text never gives his exact reason, though many readers think he saw such deep bowing as fit only for God, or refused because of an old feud between his people and Haman's.

Rage aimed at a whole people (vv. 5-6)

Haman is called an Agagite, which most scholars link to Agag, a king of the Amalekites, an ancient enemy of Israel that King Saul fought long before. Killing one man is not enough for Haman, so he sets out to wipe out Mordecai's entire people.

Casting the lot (v. 7)

Haman has the pur, a lot like dice, thrown to pick a lucky day for his plan, and it lands almost a year away. This word pur is where the Jewish festival of Purim later gets its name.

Haman's pitch to the king (vv. 8-11)

Haman never names the Jews; he calls them a scattered people with strange customs who ignore the king's laws, and he offers ten thousand talents of silver, an enormous fortune. The king hands over his signet ring, the seal that made a document official law, and asks no questions.

The decree goes out (vv. 12-15)

Royal writers send the order in every language of the empire: on one set day, all Jews, including children and women, are to be killed and their property taken. The king and Haman sit down to drink while the capital city of Susa is left confused and shaken.

Key verse: Esther 3:6

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether Mordecai's refusal to bow was faithful obedience to God or a stubborn act of pride and old ethnic hostility that put his whole people at risk.

Something to think about

What do you think it takes for an ordinary person to refuse to go along with something everyone around them is doing?