Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 VersionAnd 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 BibleAnd 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 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 BibleHaman 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 1917And 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. Jump to Previous Abroad Ahasuerus Allow Different Dispersed Diverse Haman Kingdom King's Laws Peoples People's Profit Profiteth Provinces Scattered SufferJump to Next Abroad Ahasuerus Allow Different Dispersed Diverse Haman Kingdom King's Laws Peoples People's Profit Profiteth Provinces Scattered SufferEsther 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 informed King Xerxes Haman, an Agagite and high-ranking official in the Persian Empire, approaches King Xerxes (also known as Ahasuerus). This interaction highlights the influence and access Haman had to the king, reflecting the hierarchical structure of the Persian court. Historically, Xerxes ruled from 486-465 BC, and his reign is well-documented in Persian records. Haman's position allowed him to manipulate the king, a common theme in ancient courts where advisors could sway rulers' decisions. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. HamanA high-ranking official in the Persian Empire, known for his animosity towards the Jews, particularly Mordecai. His plot against the Jews is central to the account of Esther. 2. King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) The Persian king during the time of Esther. He is portrayed as a ruler who is easily influenced by his advisors, including Haman. 3. The Jews The people of God, living in exile throughout the Persian Empire. They are described by Haman as having distinct laws and customs, which he uses as a pretext for their persecution. 4. The Persian Empire A vast empire during the time of Esther, encompassing many provinces and diverse peoples. The setting for the events of the Book of Esther. 5. The Plot Against the Jews Haman's scheme to annihilate the Jewish people, which he presents to King Xerxes as a matter of political expediency. Teaching Points The Danger of Prejudice and StereotypingHaman's description of the Jews as a threat based on their distinctiveness warns against the dangers of prejudice and stereotyping. Believers are called to see others through the lens of God's love and truth. The Influence of Power and Authority Haman's manipulation of King Xerxes highlights the responsibility of those in authority to seek wisdom and justice. Christians in positions of influence should exercise discernment and integrity. Faithfulness in Exile The Jews' adherence to their laws despite being in exile serves as an example of faithfulness. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, even in environments that are hostile to their beliefs. God's Sovereign Protection Although not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the overarching account of Esther demonstrates God's sovereign protection over His people. Trust in God's providence is a key takeaway for believers.(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 Hamanהָמָן֙ (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, Links Esther 3:8 NIVEsther 3:8 NLT Esther 3:8 ESV Esther 3:8 NASB Esther 3:8 KJV Esther 3:8 BibleApps.com Esther 3:8 Biblia Paralela Esther 3:8 Chinese Bible Esther 3:8 French Bible Esther 3:8 Catholic Bible OT History: Esther 3:8 Haman said to King Ahasuerus There (Est Esth. Es) |
    |