Esther 9:10

The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.

The ten {H6235} sons {H1121} of Haman {H2001} the son {H1121} of Hammedatha {H4099}, the enemy {H6887} of the Jews {H3064}, slew {H2026} they; but on the spoil {H961} laid {H7971} they not their hand {H3027}.

They killed these ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.

the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jewsโ€™ enemy, slew they; but on the spoil they laid not their hand.

Commentary

Esther 9:10 records a critical detail following the Jewish people's defense against their enemies in ancient Persia. It states, "The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand." This verse signifies the completeness of Haman's downfall and highlights the integrity of the Jewish community's actions.

Context

This verse takes place during the dramatic events chronicled in the book of Esther, specifically chapter 9. After Haman, the grand vizier, plotted to annihilate all Jews within the Persian Empire, Queen Esther and Mordecai secured a counter-decree from King Ahasuerus. This decree empowered the Jews to defend themselves on the appointed day of destruction. On the 13th day of the twelfth month, Adar, the Jews successfully fought off those who sought to harm them. This verse specifically details the execution of Haman's ten sons, a key part of the retribution against the enemy of the Jews. Queen Esther had made a particular request to the king for the bodies of Haman's sons to be hanged publicly as a lasting deterrent and symbol of justice, and also for an extension of the defense in Shushan for an additional day.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: The slaying of Haman's sons represents the finality of his family's destruction, a direct consequence of his genocidal plot against the Jewish people. This demonstrates a principle of divine justice where wicked schemes ultimately rebound upon their originators.
  • Self-Defense, Not Plunder: The crucial phrase, "but on the spoil laid they not their hand," emphasizes that the Jews' actions were purely for self-preservation and justice, not for personal enrichment or greed. This distinguishes their victory from typical warfare where plunder was common, showcasing their moral integrity and adherence to the spirit of the king's defensive decree, rather than exploiting it for gain.
  • Completeness of Deliverance: The elimination of Haman's lineage ensured that no immediate threat from his family could arise again, signifying the thoroughness of God's deliverance for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "spoil" is baz (ื‘ึผึทื–), referring to plunder or loot taken in war. The explicit statement that they "laid not their hand" upon it (ืœึนืึพืฉืึธืœึฐื—ื•ึผ ืึถืชึพื™ึธื“ึธื ื‘ึผึทื‘ึผึดื–ึผึธื”ึ™) is a strong negation, underscoring a deliberate and principled choice by the Jewish people to forgo the material benefits typically associated with such a victory.

Practical Application

This verse offers several enduring lessons. It serves as a powerful reminder that evil plans against God's people ultimately fail and often bring about the downfall of the perpetrators. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of acting with integrity and pure motives, even when presented with opportunities for personal gain. The Jews' refusal to take spoil exemplifies a commitment to justice over avarice, demonstrating that true victory lies not in material acquisition, but in the triumph of righteousness and the preservation of life. It encourages believers to pursue justice and defend what is right, without being driven by selfish desires.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Esther 5:11

    And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all [the things] wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

  • Esther 8:11

    Wherein the king granted the Jews which [were] in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, [both] little ones and women, and [to take] the spoil of them for a prey,

  • Genesis 14:23

    That I will not [take] from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that [is] thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

  • Job 18:18

    He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.

  • Job 18:19

    He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.

  • Job 27:13

    This [is] the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, [which] they shall receive of the Almighty.

  • Job 27:15

    Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.