Esther 3:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that [were] throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, [even] the people of Mordecai.

Complete Jewish Bible:

However, on learning what people Mordekhai belonged to, it seemed to him a waste to lay hands on Mordekhai alone. Rather, he decided to destroy all of Mordekhai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole of Achashverosh's kingdom.

Berean Standard Bible:

And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.

American Standard Version:

But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he thought^{H5869} scorn^{H959} to lay^{H7971} hands^{H3027} on Mordecai^{H4782} alone; for they had shewed^{H5046} him the people^{H5971} of Mordecai^{H4782}: wherefore Haman^{H2001} sought^{H1245} to destroy^{H8045} all the Jews^{H3064} that were throughout the whole kingdom^{H4438} of Ahasuerus^{H325}, even the people^{H5971} of Mordecai^{H4782}.

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Commentary for Esther 3:6

Esther 3:6 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of the Book of Esther, which is set in the Persian Empire during the reign of King Ahasuerus (commonly identified with Xerxes I, who ruled from 486 to 465 BCE). The verse captures a critical moment in the escalation of conflict between Haman, a high-ranking official in the king's court, and Mordecai, a Jew who sits at the king's gates.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the tension between Jews living in diaspora and the Persian ruling class. Mordecai, who has raised his cousin Esther as his own daughter, has previously earned the king's favor but has also incurred Haman's wrath by refusing to bow to him. This refusal is likely due to Mordecai's Jewish faith, which prohibits worship of anyone other than God.

In Esther 3:6, Haman's anger and pride lead him to seek revenge not just against Mordecai but against all Jews in the empire. His decision to target Mordecai's people collectively reflects a broader theme of anti-Semitism and the scapegoating of entire communities for the perceived actions of individuals. This verse highlights the precarious situation of minority groups in ancient empires, where a single official's animosity could result in widespread persecution and violence.

The verse also foreshadows the central conflict of the book, where the fate of the Jewish people hangs in the balance, and the intervention of Esther, who has become queen, becomes crucial for their survival. The themes of this verse include the dangers of unchecked power and prejudice, the significance of communal identity and solidarity, and the potential for individuals to influence the course of history, whether for ill, as Haman seeks to do, or for good, as Mordecai and Esther ultimately achieve.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
2. Strong's Number: H959
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּזָה
   Transliteration: bâzâh
   Pronunciation: baw-zaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to disesteem; despise, disdain, contemn(-ptible), [phrase] think to scorn, vile person.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
4. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4782
   There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מׇרְדְּכַי
   Transliteration: Mordᵉkay
   Pronunciation: mor-dek-ah'-ee
   Description: of foreign derivation; Mordecai, an Israelite; Mordecai.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5046
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַד
   Transliteration: nâgad
   Pronunciation: naw-gad'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise; bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2001
   There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָמָן
   Transliteration: Hâmân
   Pronunciation: haw-mawn'
   Description: of foreign derivation; Haman, a Persian vizier; Haman.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1245
   There are 215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּקַשׁ
   Transliteration: bâqash
   Pronunciation: baw-kash'
   Description: a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).
   
10. Strong's Number: H8045
    There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁמַד
    Transliteration: shâmad
    Pronunciation: shaw-mad'
    Description: a primitive root; to desolate; destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3064
    There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהוּדִי
    Transliteration: Yᵉhûwdîy
    Pronunciation: yeh-hoo-dee'
    Description: patronymically from יְהוּדָה; a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah); Jew.
    
12. Strong's Number: H4438
    There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מַלְכוּת
    Transliteration: malkûwth
    Pronunciation: mal-kooth'
    Description: or מַלְכֻת; or (in plural) מַלְכֻיָּה; from מָלַךְ; a rule; concretely, a dominion; empire, kingdom, realm, reign, royal.
    
13. Strong's Number: H325
    There are 316 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ
    Transliteration: ʼĂchashvêrôwsh
    Pronunciation: akh-ash-vay-rosh'
    Description: or (shortened) אַחַשְׁרֹשׁ (Esther 10:1); of Persian origin; Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a Persian king; Ahasuerus.