Esther 3:8
New International Version
Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.

New Living Translation
Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live.

English Standard Version
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people’s, and they do not keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain.

New American Standard Bible
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of all other people and they do not comply with the king’s laws, so it is not in the king’s interest to let them remain.

NASB 1995
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of all other people and they do not observe the king’s laws, so it is not in the king’s interest to let them remain.

NASB 1977
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of all other people, and they do not observe the king’s laws, so it is not in the king’s interest to let them remain.

Legacy Standard Bible
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 all other people, and they do not do the king’s laws, so it is not worth it for the king to let them remain.

Amplified Bible
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered [abroad] and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of all other people, and they do not observe the king’s laws. Therefore it is not in the king’s interest to [tolerate them and] let them stay here.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Haman informed King Ahasuerus, “There is one ethnic group, scattered throughout the peoples in every province of your kingdom, keeping themselves separate. Their laws are different from everyone else’s and they do not obey the king’s laws. It is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Haman informed King Ahasuerus, “There is one ethnic group, scattered throughout the peoples in every province of your kingdom, yet living in isolation. Their laws are different from everyone else’s and they do not obey the king’s laws. It is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.

American Standard Version
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.

Contemporary English Version
Then Haman went to the king and said: Your Majesty, there are some people who live all over your kingdom and won't have a thing to do with anyone else. They have customs that are different from everyone else's, and they refuse to obey your laws. We would be better off to get rid of them!

English Revised Version
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now, Haman told King Xerxes, "Your Majesty, there is a certain nationality scattered among-but separate from-the nationalities in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws differ from those of all other nationalities. They do not obey your decrees. So it is not in your interest to tolerate them, Your Majesty.

Good News Translation
So Haman told the king, "There is a certain race of people scattered all over your empire and found in every province. They observe customs that are not like those of any other people. Moreover, they do not obey the laws of the empire, so it is not in your best interests to tolerate them.

International Standard Version
Then Haman told King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and divided among the people throughout the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different than all the other people, they don't obey the king's laws, and it's not in the king's best interest to leave them alone.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a particular people that is dispersed and spread among the inhabitants throughout all the provinces of your kingdom whose laws differ from those of all other peoples. Furthermore, they do not observe the king's laws. It is not appropriate for the king to provide a haven for them.

New Heart English Bible
Haman said to King Achshayarsh, "There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws are different than other people's. They do not keep the king's laws. Therefore it is not for the king's profit to allow them to remain.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Haman said to 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.

World English Bible
Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws are different from other people’s. They don’t keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not for the king’s profit to allow them to remain.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Haman says to King Ahasuerus, “There is one people scattered and separated among the peoples, in all provinces of your kingdom, and their laws [are] diverse from all people, and the laws of the king they are not doing, and for the king it is not profitable to permit them;

Young's Literal Translation
And Haman saith to the king Ahasuerus, 'There is one people scattered and separated among the peoples, in all provinces of thy kingdom, and their laws are diverse from all people, and the laws of the king they are not doing, and for the king it is not profitable to suffer them;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Haman will say to king Ahasuerus, There is one people scattered and dispersed between the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws different from all people; they not doing the laws of the king: and it not being suitable to the king to suffer them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Aman said to king Assuerus: There is a people scattered through all the provinces of thy kingdom, and separated one from another, that use new laws and ceremonies, and moreover despise the king's ordinances: and thou knowest very well that it is not expedient for thy kingdom that they should grow insolent by impunity.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Haman said to king Artaxerxes, “There is a people dispersed throughout all the provinces of your kingdom and separated one from another, who make use of unusual laws and ceremonies, and who, in addition, show contempt for the king’s ordinances. And you know very well that it is not expedient for your kingdom that they should become insolent through independence.

New American Bible
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus: “Dispersed among the nations throughout the provinces of your kingdom, there is a certain people living apart. Their laws differ from those of every other people and they do not obey the laws of the king; so it is not proper for the king to tolerate them.

New Revised Standard Version
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 other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not appropriate for the king to tolerate them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Haman said to King Akhshirash, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of King Akhshirash; and their laws are different from those of all other people; and they do not keep the king's laws; therefore the king ought not to spare them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Haman said to King Akhashiresh: “There is a scattered people and distributed in all the provinces of King Akhashiresh, their laws are distinct from all people, and they do not keep the law of the King and the King ought not forgive them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus: 'There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king's laws; therefore it profiteth not the king to suffer them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he spoke to king Artaxerxes, saying, There is a nation scattered among the nations in all thy kingdom, and their laws differ from those of all the other nations; and they disobey the laws of the king; and it is not expedient for the king to let them alone.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Haman Plots Against the Jews
7In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman to determine a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 8Then 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. 9If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”…

Cross References
Daniel 6:5-9
Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.” / So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, “O King Darius, may you live forever! / All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions. ...

Ezra 4:12-16
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. / Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer. / Now because we are in the service of the palace and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored, we have sent to inform the king ...

Nehemiah 4:2
before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?”

Acts 16:20-21
They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil / by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”

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, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”

Daniel 3:8-12
At this time some astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews, / saying to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, may you live forever! / You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden statue, ...

Exodus 1:9-10
“Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”

Acts 24:5-6
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

Psalm 83:4
saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.”

1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

Daniel 6:13
Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.”

Luke 23:2
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

Acts 6:13-14
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

Nehemiah 6:6-7
that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”

Jeremiah 29:7
Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Haman said to king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your 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.

scattered abroad.

Leviticus 26:33
And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.

Deuteronomy 4:27
And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.

Deuteronomy 30:3
That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

their laws.

Ezra 4:12-15
Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations…

Acts 16:20,21
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, …

Acts 17:6,7
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; …

for the king's profit to.

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Abroad Ahasuerus Allow Different Dispersed Diverse Haman Kingdom King's Laws Peoples People's Profit Profiteth Provinces Scattered Suffer
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.














Then Haman said to King Xerxes
This phrase introduces Haman, a central antagonist in the Book of Esther. Haman's name is thought to be of Persian origin, possibly meaning "magnificent" or "illustrious." Historically, Haman is identified as an Agagite, linking him to the Amalekites, ancient enemies of Israel. This enmity is rooted in the historical conflict between Israel and Amalek, as seen in Exodus 17:8-16. King Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus, ruled the Persian Empire from 486 to 465 BC. His reign is marked by vast territorial control, which provides the backdrop for the events in Esther. The interaction between Haman and Xerxes is pivotal, as it sets the stage for the unfolding drama of deliverance and divine providence.

There is a certain people
Haman's reference to "a certain people" is deliberately vague, designed to incite suspicion and prejudice without naming the Jews directly. This tactic of dehumanization and othering is a common strategy in historical and modern contexts to justify discrimination. The Jewish people, though a minority, were significant in the Persian Empire, having been exiled from their homeland. This phrase underscores the theme of identity and survival amidst a foreign culture, a recurring motif in Jewish history.

scattered and dispersed among the peoples
The description of the Jews as "scattered and dispersed" reflects their diaspora status. The Hebrew words used here, "פָּזוּר" (pazur) and "מְפֹרָד" (meforad), convey a sense of being spread out and separated. This scattering was a result of the Babylonian exile, which led to Jewish communities establishing themselves throughout the Persian Empire. Despite their dispersion, the Jewish people maintained a strong sense of identity and community, adhering to their faith and traditions. This resilience is a testament to their enduring covenant with God.

in all the provinces of your kingdom
The Persian Empire was vast, encompassing 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. This phrase highlights the extensive reach of the empire and the widespread presence of the Jewish people within it. The historical context of the Persian administrative system, with its satrapies and local governance, provides insight into how the Jews could maintain their distinct identity while being integrated into the broader society.

whose laws are different from those of all other peoples
Haman's accusation points to the distinctiveness of Jewish law, which was rooted in the Torah. The Hebrew word for law, "תּוֹרָה" (Torah), signifies instruction and guidance. Jewish laws, including dietary restrictions, Sabbath observance, and festivals, set them apart from other cultures. This distinctiveness often led to misunderstandings and prejudice, as seen in Haman's attempt to portray the Jews as a threat to societal cohesion.

and who do not comply with the king’s laws
This charge of non-compliance is a distortion, as the Jews were generally law-abiding citizens. However, their ultimate allegiance was to God's commandments, which sometimes conflicted with royal edicts, as seen in the refusal to bow to Haman (Esther 3:2). This tension between divine and human authority is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the call to faithfulness even in the face of persecution.

so it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them
Haman's conclusion is a manipulative appeal to the king's self-interest, suggesting that the presence of the Jews is detrimental to the empire's stability. This reflects a broader historical pattern where minority groups are scapegoated for political gain. The phrase challenges readers to consider the cost of intolerance and the importance of standing against injustice. In the narrative of Esther, it sets the stage for God's providential intervention and the ultimate triumph of justice and righteousness.

(8) A certain people scattered abroad . . .--A certain part of the nation had returned with Zerub-babel, but (Ezra 2:64) these only amounted to 42,360, so that the great majority of the nation had preferred to stay comfortably where they were in the various districts of the Persian Empire.

Neither keep they . . .--The charge of disloyalty has been a favourite weapon in the hands of persecutors. Haman was not the first who had brought this charge against the Jews (see Ezra 4:13; Ezra 4:16). Our Lord's accusers were those who knew no king but Caesar. The early Christians found to their cost how deadly was the accusation of disloyalty to the Empire.

Verse 8 - There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed. It is not always borne in mind how large a part of the Jewish nation remained in the lands to which they had been carried away captive, after the permission had been given to return. Josephus notes that the richer and more influential of the Babylonian Jews were very little inclined to quit Babylon ('Ant. Jud.,' 11:1). There was evidently a large Jewish colony at Susa (infra, Esther 9:12-15). The Book of Tobit shows that Israelites, scarcely to be distinguished from Jews, were settled in Rhages and Ecbatana. The present passage is important as showing the early wide dispersion of the Jewish people. Their laws are diverse. A true charge, but a weak argument for their destruction, more especially as the Persians allowed all the conquered nations to retain their own laws and usages. Neither keep they the king's laws. Important, if true. But it was not true in any broad and general sense. There might be an occasional royal edict which a Jew could not obey; but the laws of the Medes and Persians were in the main righteous laws, and the Jews readily observed them. They were faithful and loyal subjects of the Achaemenian monarchs from first to last from Cyrus to Darius Codomannus. For the king's profit. Rather, as in the margin, "meet" or "fitting for the king." To suffer them. Or, "to let them alone."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Haman
הָמָן֙ (hā·mān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2001: Haman -- to rage, be turbulent

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

King
לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Xerxes,
אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ (’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 325: Ahasuerus -- king of Persia

“There
יֶשְׁנ֣וֹ (yeš·nōw)
Adverb | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

is a certain
אֶחָ֗ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

people
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

scattered
מְפֻזָּ֤ר (mə·p̄uz·zār)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6340: To scatter

and dispersed
וּמְפֹרָד֙ (ū·mə·p̄ō·rāḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6504: To break through, spread, separate

among
בֵּ֣ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the peoples
הָֽעַמִּ֔ים (hā·‘am·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of every
בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

province
מְדִינ֣וֹת (mə·ḏî·nō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4082: A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a region

of your kingdom.
מַלְכוּתֶ֑ךָ (mal·ḵū·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

Their laws
וְדָתֵיהֶ֞ם (wə·ḏā·ṯê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1881: A royal edict, statute

are different
שֹׁנ֣וֹת (šō·nō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 8138: To fold, duplicate, to transmute

from everyone
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

else’s,
עָ֗ם (‘ām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and they do not
אֵינָ֣ם (’ê·nām)
Adverb | third person masculine plural
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

obey
עֹשִׂ֔ים (‘ō·śîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

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

laws;
דָּתֵ֤י (dā·ṯê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1881: A royal edict, statute

it is not
אֵין־ (’ên-)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

in the king’s
וְלַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (wə·lam·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

best interest
שֹׁוֶ֖ה (šō·weh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7737: To level, equalize, to resemble, to adjust

to tolerate them.
לְהַנִּיחָֽם׃ (lə·han·nî·ḥām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3240: Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place,


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OT History: Esther 3:8 Haman said to King Ahasuerus There (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 3:7
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