Esther 3:11
New International Version
“Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.”

New Living Translation
The king said, “The money and the people are both yours to do with as you see fit.”

English Standard Version
And the king said to Haman, “The money is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”

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

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And the king said to Haman, “The money and the people are given to you, to do with them as seems good to you.”

New American Standard Bible
And the king said to Haman, “The silver is yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”

NASB 1995
The king said to Haman, “The silver is yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”

NASB 1977
And the king said to Haman, “The silver is yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the king said to Haman, “The silver is yours, and the people also, to do with them according to what is good in your eyes.”

Amplified Bible
The king said to Haman, “The silver is given to you, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then the king told Haman, “The money and people are given to you to do with as you see fit.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the king told Haman, “The money and people are given to you to do with as you see fit.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
"Do what you want with those people! You can keep their money."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king told Haman, "You can keep your silver and do with the people whatever you like."

Good News Translation
The king told him, "The people and their money are yours; do as you like with them."

International Standard Version
The king told Haman, "The silver is given to you, along with the people, to do with them as you see fit."

Majority Standard Bible
?Keep your money,? said the king to Haman. ?These people are given to you to do with them as you please.?

NET Bible
The king replied to Haman, "Keep your money, and do with those people whatever you wish."

New Heart English Bible
The king said to Haman, "The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said to Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

World English Bible
The king said to Haman, “The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the king says to Haman, “The silver is given to you, and the people, to do with it as [it is] good in your eyes.”

Young's Literal Translation
and the king saith to Haman, 'The silver is given to thee, and the people, to do with it as it is good in thine eyes.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will say to Haman, The silver is given to thee, and the people, to do with them as is good in thine eyes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to him: As to the money which thou promisest, keep it for thyself: and as to the people, do with them as seemeth good to thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to him, “Let the silver, which you promise, be for yourself. As for the people, do with them as it pleases you.”

New American Bible
The king said to Haman, “The silver is yours, as well as the people, to do with as you please.”

New Revised Standard Version
The king said to Haman, “The money is given to you, and the people as well, to do with them as it seems good to you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king said to Haman, The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King said: “Your silver has been given to you and the people, to do to them everything that is excellent in your eyes.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king said to Aman, Keep the silver, and treat the nation as thou wilt.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Haman Plots Against the Jews
10So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11“Keep your money,” said the king to Haman. “These people are given to you to do with them as you please.” 12On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring.…

Cross References
Esther 8:8
Now you may write in the king’s name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.”

Esther 8:11
By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to plunder their possessions.

Esther 9:1-2
On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them. / In each of the provinces of King Xerxes, the Jews assembled in their cities to attack those who sought to harm them. No man could withstand them, because the fear of them had fallen upon all peoples.

Daniel 6:8-9
Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” / Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

Daniel 6:15
Then the men approached the king together and said to him, “Remember, O king, that by the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or ordinance established by the king can be changed.”

Nehemiah 2:6
Then the king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time.

Nehemiah 2:7-8
I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. / And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.

1 Samuel 8:11-17
He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. / And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. ...

1 Kings 21:7-10
But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign over Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful, for I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” / Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. ...

2 Kings 10:1-7
Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the officials of Jezreel, to the elders, and to the guardians of the sons of Ahab, saying: / “When this letter arrives, since your master’s sons are with you and you have chariots and horses, a fortified city and weaponry, / select the best and most worthy son of your master, set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.” ...

Matthew 27:24-26
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.” / All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” / So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

Mark 15:15
And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

Luke 23:24-25
So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met. / As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will.

John 19:16
Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away.

Acts 25:9-12
But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?” / Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. / If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the king said to Haman, The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.

to do.

Psalm 73:7
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

Jeremiah 26:14
As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.

Jeremiah 40:4
And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.

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Esther 3
1. Haman, advanced by the king, and despised by Mordecai, seeks revenge upon the Jews.
7. He casts lots.
8. He obtains by false accusations a decree of the king to put the Jews to death.














“Keep your money,” said the king to Haman.
In this phrase, King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) responds to Haman's offer of silver to fund the destruction of the Jews. The king's dismissal of the monetary offer indicates his trust in Haman and possibly his indifference to the fate of the Jewish people. This reflects the absolute power and wealth of the Persian Empire, where the king's word was law, and financial incentives were not always necessary to enact decrees. The king's response also highlights the dangerous influence Haman held, as he was able to persuade the king without financial persuasion. This moment foreshadows the potential for misuse of power and the vulnerability of minority groups within the empire.

“These people are given to you”
The phrase "these people" refers to the Jewish population within the Persian Empire. Historically, the Jews were a dispersed people, having been exiled from their homeland. This dispersion is known as the Diaspora. The king's statement of giving the people to Haman underscores the precarious position of the Jews, who were subject to the whims of foreign rulers. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's people living in exile and facing persecution, as seen in other parts of the Old Testament, such as the Babylonian captivity. Theologically, this can be seen as a test of faith and reliance on God's providence.

“to do with them as you please.”
This phrase grants Haman full authority over the Jewish people, effectively giving him the power of life and death. It illustrates the absolute nature of royal decrees in the Persian Empire, where the king's word was final and irrevocable. This mirrors the absolute authority of God, contrasting human authority with divine sovereignty. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, where Jesus, though having all authority, chooses to use it for salvation rather than destruction. The phrase also sets the stage for the unfolding of God's deliverance through Esther, highlighting the theme of divine intervention and protection of His people, as seen throughout the biblical narrative.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I)
The Persian king who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Cush. He is known for his opulence and for making impulsive decisions, such as the one in this verse.

2. Haman
The antagonist in the Book of Esther, an Agagite who held a high position in the Persian court. He harbored a deep hatred for the Jews, particularly Mordecai, and sought their destruction.

3. The Persian Empire
The setting of the Book of Esther, a vast and powerful empire known for its complex bureaucracy and diverse population.

4. The Decree
The event in which King Ahasuerus gives Haman the authority to annihilate the Jews, demonstrating the king's trust in Haman and the grave danger facing the Jewish people.

5. Mordecai
A Jew in the Persian Empire, cousin and guardian of Esther, who refused to bow to Haman, inciting Haman's wrath and the subsequent plot against the Jews.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Rash Decisions
King Ahasuerus's impulsive granting of power to Haman serves as a warning against making hasty decisions without seeking wise counsel or considering the consequences.

The Influence of Evil
Haman's manipulation of the king demonstrates how evil can influence those in power, reminding believers to pray for leaders and their decisions.

God's Sovereignty
Despite the dire situation, God's sovereignty is evident. Believers can trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem bleak.

The Importance of Standing Firm
Mordecai's refusal to bow to Haman exemplifies the importance of standing firm in one's faith and convictions, regardless of the potential cost.

Intercession and Advocacy
Esther's eventual role as an advocate for her people encourages believers to intercede for others and use their positions to effect positive change.(11) And the king said . . .--With indifference which seems incredible, but which is quite in accordance with what we otherwise know of Xerxes, the king simply hands over to his minister the whole nation and their possessions to do with as he will. The king perhaps was glad to throw the cares of government on his minister, and, too indolent to form an opinion for himself, was content to believe that the Jews were a worthless, disloyal people.

Verse 11. - The silver is given thee, the people also. Not "the silver which thou hast given me is given back to thee," for the 10,000 talents had not been given, but only offered. Rather, "the silver of the people is given thee, together with the people themselves, to do with both as it pleases thee." Confiscation always accompanies execution in the East, and the goods of those who are put to death naturally escheat to the crown, which either seizes them or makes a grant of them. Compare ch. 8:11, where the property of those of the Jews' enemies who should suffer death is granted to those who should slay them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Keep your money,”
הַכֶּ֖סֶף (hak·ke·sep̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the king
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

to Haman.
לְהָמָ֔ן (lə·hā·mān)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2001: Haman -- to rage, be turbulent

“These people
וְהָעָ֕ם (wə·hā·‘ām)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

[are] given
נָת֣וּן (nā·ṯūn)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to you
לָ֑ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

to do
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

with them
בּ֖וֹ (bōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

as you please.”
בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT History: Esther 3:11 The king said to Haman The silver (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 3:10
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