Esther 3:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 3:6 marks a terrifying turning point in the narrative, revealing Haman's personal vendetta against Mordecai escalating into a genocidal plot against all Jews throughout the vast Persian Empire. Driven by inflated pride and profound ethnic hatred, Haman disdained merely punishing Mordecai, instead seeking to utterly annihilate his entire people, thereby setting the stage for the book's central conflict and the dramatic, providential deliverance of the Jewish nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse immediately follows Haman's intense fury over Mordecai's steadfast refusal to bow or pay homage, an act of defiance detailed in [Esther 3:2](/esther/3-2 "Esther 3:2 - Mordecai's Refusal to Bow"). Haman, an Agagite, likely harbored ancient animosity towards the Jewish people, rooted in the historical conflict between the Amalekites (from whom Agag descended) and Israel. His personal offense quickly metastasized into a desire for collective vengeance once he discovered Mordecai's Jewish identity, leading directly to the decree for the extermination of all Jews, which is subsequently detailed in [Esther 3:7-15](/esther/3 "Esther 3 - Haman's Plot"). This escalation transforms a personal slight into an existential threat for an entire nation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold within the vast Achaemenid Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I, 486-465 BC), whose dominion stretched "from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces" ([Esther 1:1](/esther/1-1 "Esther 1:1 - Extent of Ahasuerus's Kingdom")). Haman, as the king's chief minister, wielded immense power, second only to Ahasuerus himself. In the Persian court, royal decrees, once issued and sealed with the king's signet ring, were irrevocable ([Esther 8:8](/esther/8-8 "Esther 8:8 - Irrevocable Persian Laws")), making Haman's genocidal plan a legally binding and terrifying reality for the dispersed Jewish population. The cultural context also includes the expectation of absolute deference to high officials, making Mordecai's refusal a significant act of defiance in Haman's eyes.
* **Key Themes:** Esther 3:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book. It highlights the destructive nature of **unchecked pride and arrogance**, as Haman's immense ego prevents him from accepting a mere personal punishment for Mordecai, demanding a grander, more devastating revenge. The verse also introduces the theme of **ethnic prejudice and the threat of genocide**, showcasing ancient antisemitism as Haman targets "all the Jews" simply because of their identity. Furthermore, it underscores the **vulnerability of a minority people** dispersed throughout a vast empire, subject to the whims of powerful, malicious individuals. Though not explicitly stated in this verse, it implicitly sets the stage for the theme of **divine providence**, as God's unseen hand will ultimately work through Esther and Mordecai to deliver His people from this existential threat, a theme that permeates the entire [Book of Esther](/esther/1 "The Book of Esther - God's Providence").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Thought scorn (Hebrew, _bāzāh_):** This verb, meaning "to despise, disdain, hold in contempt, scorn," powerfully conveys the depth of Haman's arrogance and the utter contempt he harbored for Mordecai and, by extension, all Jews. It indicates that Haman felt a mere personal punishment was beneath him; his ego demanded a revenge that matched the magnitude of his perceived insult and his own self-importance. It's not just anger, but a profound sense of superiority and disdain.
* **Destroy (Hebrew, _shamad_):** This strong verb means "to annihilate, exterminate, utterly destroy." It signifies a complete and total eradication, leaving nothing behind. Haman's intent was not merely to oppress or subjugate, but to wipe out the Jewish people entirely, root and branch. This word underscores the genocidal nature of his plot, aiming for absolute obliteration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone;":** This clause reveals Haman's inflated ego and the escalation of his malice. His pride was so immense that he considered a singular act of revenge against Mordecai insufficient to satisfy his wounded honor. He viewed Mordecai's life as too insignificant to be the sole target of his wrath, demanding a more comprehensive and devastating retribution.
* **"for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai:":** This parenthetical explanation provides the crucial link between Haman's personal grievance and his genocidal ambition. Upon learning that Mordecai was a Jew, Haman's rage transformed from individual animosity into a deep-seated ethnic hatred. The "people of Mordecai" refers to the Jewish nation, identifying them as a distinct ethnic and religious group.
* **"wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that [were] throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, [even] the people of Mordecai.":** This final, chilling clause details the terrifying scope of Haman's plot. His hatred, fueled by pride and prejudice, now targeted an entire ethnicity, dispersed across the vast Persian Empire. The repetition of "the people of Mordecai" emphasizes that his aim was the complete annihilation of the Jewish people, directly linking his personal vendetta to a widespread act of attempted genocide.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Hyperbole** is evident in Haman's "scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone," emphasizing the excessive nature of his pride and the disproportionate scale of his desired revenge. This is further highlighted by the shift from a single individual to "all the Jews throughout the whole kingdom." There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing**, as this verse sets the entire dramatic conflict of the book in motion, pointing towards the immense danger the Jewish people will face and the subsequent need for divine intervention and human courage. The phrase "the people of Mordecai" acts as a **Synecdoche**, where a part (Mordecai's identity) represents the whole (the Jewish nation), making the personal slight a catalyst for a national catastrophe. Finally, the stark contrast between Haman's initial target (Mordecai) and his ultimate target (all Jews) illustrates **Antithesis**, underscoring the radical escalation of his hatred.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 3:6 profoundly illustrates the destructive power of unchecked human pride and the terrifying reality of ethnic hatred. It serves as a stark biblical example of the "seed of the serpent" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Seed of the Serpent")) manifesting in a desire to annihilate God's chosen people, a recurring theme throughout biblical history. The verse, while not explicitly mentioning God, implicitly highlights the precarious position of Israel among the nations and sets the stage for the unfolding of divine providence, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to preserve His people, even when they are in extreme peril and seemingly abandoned. It underscores that spiritual battles often manifest in physical, political, and ethnic conflicts.

* [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - God's Covenant with Abraham") - God's promise to bless those who bless Abraham's descendants and curse those who curse them.
* [Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remembrance of Amalek") - The command to remember and blot out the remembrance of Amalek, Haman's ancestral people.
* [Psalm 83:4](/psalms/83-4 "Psalm 83:4 - Enemies Conspiring Against God's People") - A lament describing the enemies of God's people conspiring to "cut them off from being a nation."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 3:6 stands as a chilling reminder of how easily personal offense, when coupled with unchecked pride and deep-seated prejudice, can metastasize into a desire for widespread destruction. It compels us to examine our own hearts for any seeds of bitterness, resentment, or prejudice that, if left unchecked, could lead to harmful actions or attitudes towards others. The verse calls us to vigilance against all forms of bigotry and hatred, recognizing that such evils often begin small but can escalate to devastating consequences. It also encourages us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalized or targeted due to their identity, remembering that injustice against one group threatens the dignity of all. Ultimately, it points us to the need for divine intervention and the courage to act righteously in the face of overwhelming evil.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Haman's "scorn" illustrate the destructive nature of unchecked pride in our own lives or in society?**
* **In what ways can personal grievances escalate into broader prejudice or hatred towards groups of people today?**
* **What are the practical steps we can take to identify and resist the subtle beginnings of prejudice within ourselves and our communities?**
* **How does this verse challenge us to consider our responsibility to stand up for those who are vulnerable or targeted?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of Haman being an "Agagite"?**

Answer: Haman's designation as an "Agagite" is highly significant, connecting him to Agag, the king of the Amalekites, whom King Saul was commanded by God to utterly destroy ([1 Samuel 15:8](/1_samuel/15-8 "1 Samuel 15:8 - Saul's Disobedience Regarding Agag")). The Amalekites were a perennial enemy of Israel, having attacked them in the wilderness after the Exodus ([Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel")). God had even commanded Israel to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven" ([Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Deuteronomy 25:19 - Blotting Out Amalek")). Thus, Haman's lineage suggests a deep, ancient, and divinely condemned animosity towards the Jewish people, providing a historical and theological backdrop for his genocidal plot.

**Why did Mordecai refuse to bow to Haman?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state Mordecai's reason for refusing to bow, but several interpretations are common. As a Jew, Mordecai may have refused on religious grounds, believing that bowing to Haman would constitute a form of idolatry or an act of homage reserved for God alone. This is particularly plausible given Haman's inflated ego and the near-divine reverence he expected. Another possibility is that Mordecai, as a descendant of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin ([Esther 2:5](/esther/2-5 "Esther 2:5 - Mordecai's Lineage")), recognized Haman's Agagite lineage and saw him as an ancient enemy of his people, refusing to pay homage to one whose ancestors were commanded to be destroyed by God. His refusal was an act of defiance rooted in his identity and possibly his faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 3:6, with its depiction of a powerful enemy seeking to annihilate God's people, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the ongoing spiritual battle against the forces of evil, culminating in Christ's triumph. Haman's genocidal plot against the Jews foreshadows Satan's relentless attempts to destroy God's chosen people and thwart His redemptive plan throughout history. Just as the Jewish people faced an existential threat, humanity itself was under the sentence of death due to sin, a spiritual "decree" from which no human could escape. However, the ultimate deliverance comes not through human decree but through the sacrificial work of the [Lamb of God, Jesus Christ](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who, through His death and resurrection, disarmed the powers of darkness and delivered all who believe from the dominion of sin and death ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The vulnerability of the Jews in Persia reflects the vulnerability of believers in a fallen world, yet we are assured that no weapon formed against God's true Israel, the church, shall prosper ([Isaiah 54:17](/isaiah/54-17 "Isaiah 54:17 - No Weapon Against You Shall Prosper")). Ultimately, Haman's defeat and the salvation of the Jews point to the greater victory of Christ, who, by His own blood, has secured eternal deliverance for His people, ensuring that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on the Rock")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 83:4

They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from [being] a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

Revelation 12:12

¶ Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.