Esther 9:7

KJV

And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Parshandatha {H6577}, and Dalphon {H1813}, and Aspatha {H630},

Complete Jewish Bible

They put to death the ten sons of Haman the son of Hamdata, the enemy of the Jews - Parshandata, Dalfon, Aspata, Porata, Adalya, Aridata, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizata. But they did not touch the spoil.

Berean Standard Bible

including Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

American Standard Version

And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 9:7 initiates the meticulous listing of Haman's ten sons—Parshandatha, Dalphon, and Aspatha being the first three—who were executed by the Jews in the capital city of Susa. This specific enumeration underscores the completeness of the judgment against Haman's house, signifying the thorough eradication of his lineage and serving as a powerful testament to the dramatic reversal of fortune for the Jewish people, from decreed annihilation to decisive victory and vindication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Esther 9:7 is situated within the climactic narrative of the Book of Esther, immediately following the Jews' initial defensive victories against their enemies throughout the provinces (Esther 9:1-6). The verse, alongside 9:8-10, provides a detailed account of the slaying of Haman's ten sons in Susa, a crucial act that solidifies the Jewish victory in the capital. This event directly precedes Esther's request for a second day of action in Susa and the public display of Haman's sons' bodies (Esther 9:11-14), further emphasizing the finality of the judgment against the chief antagonist. The meticulous listing of names here contrasts sharply with the general description of the widespread destruction of enemies in the preceding verses, highlighting the particular significance of eradicating Haman's direct male heirs.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Esther unfold within the vast Persian Empire during the reign of King Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I, 486-465 BC). In the ancient Near East, the complete eradication of a prominent enemy's male lineage, especially one deemed a traitor or genocidal threat like Haman, was a common and culturally understood practice. This act served not only as a punitive measure but also as a preventative one, ensuring that no male heir remained to seek revenge or perpetuate the family's influence. The Persian origin of the sons' names (Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, etc.) further grounds the narrative in its historical setting, lending an air of authenticity to the detailed account of the judgment.
* **Key Themes:** The listing of Haman's sons in Esther 9:7-10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Esther. Foremost among these is **Divine Justice and Reversal of Fortune**, where Haman's meticulously planned destruction of the Jews is turned back upon his own household, illustrating the biblical principle that "whoever digs a pit will fall into it" ([Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - He Who Rolls a Stone, It Will Return On Him")). This verse also emphasizes the **Completeness of Victory** for the Jewish people; the specific naming of all ten sons underscores the thorough and final nature of the judgment, leaving no direct male heir to perpetuate Haman's hatred or plot further schemes. Furthermore, this decisive act in Susa is a pivotal moment in the **Establishment of Purim**, the annual festival commemorating the Jews' deliverance and the turning of sorrow into joy, as commanded in [Esther 9:20-22](/esther/9-20 "Esther 9:20-22 - The Institution of Purim").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha (Persian, _Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha'_):** These are the first three of Haman's ten sons explicitly named in this verse. Their names are of Persian origin, reflecting the setting of the narrative within the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The meticulous listing of each son's name, rather than a general statement about their demise, is highly significant. It underscores the historical specificity and thoroughness of the judgment. This detailed enumeration emphasizes that the victory was not abstract but involved the complete eradication of Haman's direct male lineage, ensuring no heir remained to carry on his genocidal ambition or seek future revenge against the Jewish people. This precision reinforces the finality of the divine justice enacted against Haman's house.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha":** This clause initiates the enumeration of Haman's ten sons, continuing through Esther 9:8-9. The simple conjunction "And" (וְ) linking each name creates a deliberate, almost ritualistic, listing. The very act of naming each son, rather than simply stating "Haman's sons were killed," serves a profound purpose. It transforms a general outcome into a specific, verifiable, and complete act of judgment. This precision emphasizes the thoroughness of the Jewish victory and the finality of the consequences for Haman's wickedness. It highlights that the judgment was not haphazard but a definitive and exhaustive eradication of the lineage that threatened God's people, ensuring no future claim or threat from Haman's direct descendants.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Esther 9:7 (and extending through 9:10) is **Enumeration** or **Listing**. The explicit naming of each of Haman's ten sons serves to emphasize the thoroughness, completeness, and finality of the judgment against Haman's house. This meticulous detail underscores that no male heir was left to perpetuate Haman's legacy of hatred or seek future revenge, thereby securing the Jewish people's deliverance. The act of listing also lends a sense of historical authenticity and precision to the narrative, reinforcing the reality of the events. Furthermore, this enumeration contributes to the overarching **Irony** of the book: Haman, who sought to annihilate the entire Jewish people and specifically targeted Mordecai, sees his own family completely destroyed, fulfilling the principle of poetic justice where the wicked fall into their own snare.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 9:7, by meticulously listing the first three of Haman's ten sons, powerfully illustrates the biblical principle of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes over human evil. While God is not explicitly named in the Book of Esther, His providential hand is undeniably evident in the dramatic reversal of fortune, where the very decree intended for Jewish annihilation becomes the means of their deliverance and the destruction of their enemies. The complete eradication of Haman's male lineage signifies the thoroughness of God's judgment against those who oppose His people and His plan. It assures believers that even when evil seems to prevail and darkness appears to triumph, God is sovereignly at work, turning the schemes of the wicked back upon their own heads and ensuring the ultimate vindication and security of His covenant people. This specific, detailed judgment serves as a powerful reminder that God's justice is precise and complete, leaving no stone unturned in securing His righteous ends.

* [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalms/7-15 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Wicked Fall into Their Own Pit")
* [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - Consequences of Deceit")
* [Daniel 6:24](/daniel/6-24 "Daniel 6:24 - Darius's Decree Against Daniel's Accusers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The specific naming of Haman's sons in Esther 9:7, and the subsequent verses, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It is a powerful reminder that God's justice, though sometimes delayed, is ultimately precise, comprehensive, and inescapable for those who set themselves against His people and His purposes. This passage encourages us to trust in God's unwavering sovereignty, even when circumstances appear dire or when evil seems to be winning. Just as Haman's meticulously crafted plot was utterly reversed, we are reminded that God is capable of turning any situation around for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. This narrative also challenges us to consider the "spiritual enemies" or "works of the flesh" in our own lives—those attitudes, habits, or influences that seek to undermine our faith and spiritual vitality. The thoroughness of the judgment against Haman's house can inspire us to pursue a decisive and complete victory over these internal and external threats, relying on God's power to fully eradicate them from our lives and secure our spiritual freedom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous listing of Haman's sons in Esther 9:7-10 reinforce your understanding of the completeness and precision of divine justice?**
* **In what areas of your life or in the world around you do you need to trust God for a "reversal of fortune" against seemingly overwhelming opposition or injustice?**
* **What "spiritual enemies" or "works of the flesh" (e.g., pride, anger, bitterness) do you need to confront and decisively overcome, trusting in God's power for a complete victory?**

### FAQ
**Why are Haman's sons specifically named and listed in the text?**

Answer: The specific naming and listing of Haman's ten sons (starting with Parshandatha, Dalphon, and Aspatha in Esther 9:7) serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it emphasizes the completeness and finality of the judgment against Haman's house. By naming each son, the text underscores that no male heir was left to perpetuate Haman's genocidal hatred or seek future revenge against the Jewish people. This meticulous detail ensures the thorough eradication of his lineage. Secondly, it lends an air of historical authenticity and precision to the account, reinforcing the reality of the events described. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the complete destruction of a traitor's family was a recognized practice to prevent future threats. This specific enumeration highlights the personal and definitive nature of the victory, transforming a general statement into a concrete, verifiable act of divine justice and deliverance for the Jewish community in Susa.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Esther 9:7 recounts a specific historical judgment within the Old Testament, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and decisive victory achieved through Jesus Christ. Haman's complete defeat, symbolized by the thorough eradication of his lineage, prefigures Christ's triumph over all the forces of evil that seek to destroy humanity. Just as Haman's plot was turned back upon his own head, Christ, through His death and resurrection, decisively defeated sin, death, and the devil, disarming principalities and powers and making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The thoroughness of the judgment against Haman's sons speaks to the completeness of Christ's work on the cross, which left no "heir" to the kingdom of darkness with power over those who believe. Through Christ, the one "who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), believers are delivered not merely from a human oppressor but from the ultimate enemy, the one who holds the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). The justice seen in Esther, where the wicked receive their due, finds its perfect and eternal fulfillment in Christ, who came to destroy the works of the devil ([1_john/3-8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - The Son of God Appeared to Destroy the Works of the Devil")) and establish a kingdom where righteousness reigns forever.

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.