Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.” New Living Translation If it please the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed, and I will give 10,000 large sacks of silver to the government administrators to be deposited in the royal treasury.” English Standard Version If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.” Berean Standard Bible If 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.” Berean Literal Bible If upon the king it is good, let it be written for them to perish, and ten thousand talents of silver I will weigh out into the hands of those doing the work, to bring it into the treasuries of the king.” King James Bible If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. New King James Version If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who do the work, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.” New American Standard Bible If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be eliminated, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry out the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.” NASB 1995 “If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry on the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.” NASB 1977 “If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry on the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.” Legacy Standard Bible If it seems good to the king, let it be written down that they should perish, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who do this work, to bring into the king’s treasuries.” Amplified Bible If it pleases the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry out the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.” Berean Annotated Bible If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver <377 t / 342 mt> into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out. Christian Standard Bible If the king approves, let an order be drawn up authorizing their destruction, and I will pay 375 tons of silver to the officials for deposit in the royal treasury.” Holman Christian Standard Bible If the king approves, let an order be drawn up authorizing their destruction, and I will pay 375 tons of silver to the accountants for deposit in the royal treasury.” American Standard Version If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. Contemporary English Version Why not give orders for all of them to be killed? I can promise that you will get tons of silver for your treasury. English Revised Version If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. GOD'S WORD® Translation If you approve, have the orders for their destruction be written. For this I will pay 750,000 pounds of silver to your treasurers to be put in your treasury." Good News Translation If it please Your Majesty, issue a decree that they are to be put to death. If you do, I guarantee that I will be able to put 375 tons of silver into the royal treasury for the administration of the empire." International Standard Version If the king approves, let it be decreed that they're to be destroyed, and I'll measure out 10,000 silver talents and bring it to the king's treasury for those who will do the work." NET Bible If the king is so inclined, let an edict be issued to destroy them. I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to be conveyed to the king's treasuries for the officials who carry out this business." New Heart English Bible If it pleases the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who are in charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treasuries." Webster's Bible Translation If it shall please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf 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.” World English Bible If it pleases the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who are in charge of the king’s business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionif to the king [it be] good, let it be written to destroy them, and ten thousand talents of silver I weigh into the hands of those doing the work, to bring [it] into the treasuries of the king.” Berean Literal Bible If upon the king it is good, let it be written for them to perish, and ten thousand talents of silver I will weigh out into the hands of those doing the work, to bring it into the treasuries of the king.” Young's Literal Translation if to the king it be good, let it be written to destroy them, and ten thousand talents of silver I weigh into the hands of those doing the work, to bring it in unto the treasuries of the king.' Smith's Literal Translation If good to the king, it shall be written to destroy them: and I will weigh ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those doing the work, to bring to the king's treasures. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf it please thee, decree that they may he destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents to thy treasurers. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible If it please the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them; and I will deliver to the procurators ten thousand silver talents for deposit in the royal treasury.” New Revised Standard Version If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued for their destruction, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, so that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed; and I will weigh ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those who have charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated If it is not good to the King, let him write that they shall be destroyed, and weigh ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of the doers of the work to bring to the treasury of the King.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.' Brenton Septuagint Translation If it seem good to the king, let him make a decree to destroy them: and I will remit into the king's treasury ten thousand talents of silver. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Haman Plots Against the Jews…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.” 10So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.… Cross References If it pleases the king, Nehemiah 2:5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” Esther 8:5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if I have found favor in his sight, and the matter seems proper to the king, and I am pleasing in his sight, may an order be written to revoke the letters that the scheming Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. Esther 7:3 Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request. let a decree be issued to destroy them, Esther 8:8 Now you may write in the king’s name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.” Esther 8:11 By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to plunder their possessions. Daniel 6:8 Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver Matthew 18:24 As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. 2 Kings 15:19-20 Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom. / Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—fifty shekels of silver from each man—to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land. 2 Kings 18:15 Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. into the royal treasury 1 Kings 14:26 He seized the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields that Solomon had made. 1 Kings 15:18 So Asa withdrew all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace. He entrusted it to his servants and sent them with this message to Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus: 2 Kings 24:13 As the LORD had declared, Nebuchadnezzar also carried off all the treasures from the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD. to pay those who carry it out.” 2 Kings 12:11-12 Then they would put the counted money into the hands of those who supervised the work on the house of the LORD, who in turn would pay those doing the work—the carpenters, builders, / masons, and stonecutters. They also purchased timber and dressed stone to repair the damage to the house of the LORD, and they paid the other expenses of the temple repairs. 2 Chronicles 24:12-13 Then the king and Jehoiada would give the money to those who supervised the labor on the house of the LORD to hire stonecutters and carpenters to restore the house of the LORD, as well as workers in iron and bronze to repair the house of the LORD. / So the workmen labored, and in their hands the repair work progressed. They restored the house of God according to its specifications, and they reinforced it. 2 Chronicles 34:10-11 They put it into the hands of those supervising the work in the house of the LORD, who in turn gave it to the workmen restoring and repairing the house of the LORD. / They also gave money to the carpenters and builders to buy dressed stone, as well as timbers for couplings and beams for the buildings that the kings of Judah had allowed to deteriorate. Ezra 4:13-16 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 / that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. … Treasury of Scripture If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. that they may be destroyed. Genesis 23:16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant. ten thousand. Matthew 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. Jump to Previous Business Carry Charge Decree Decreed Destroy Destroyed Destruction Hands Issued King's Ordering Pay Please Pleases Pleasing Pleasure Responsible Royal Silver Statement Store-House Talents Ten Thousand Treasuries Treasury Writing WrittenJump to Next Business Carry Charge Decree Decreed Destroy Destroyed Destruction Hands Issued King's Ordering Pay Please Pleases Pleasing Pleasure Responsible Royal Silver Statement Store-House Talents Ten Thousand Treasuries Treasury Writing WrittenEsther 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. If it pleases the king This phrase reflects the formal language of the Persian court, where officials would often present their requests in a manner that emphasized the king's authority and pleasure. It highlights the absolute power of the king in the Persian Empire, where his decisions were final and unchallengeable. This approach is seen in other biblical accounts, such as Nehemiah's request to King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2:5). 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. HamanA high-ranking official in the Persian Empire, Haman is the antagonist in the Book of Esther. He harbors a deep hatred for the Jewish people, particularly Mordecai, and seeks their destruction. 2. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) The Persian king during the events of the Book of Esther. He is portrayed as a ruler who is easily influenced by his advisors, including Haman. 3. The Jews The target of Haman's plot. They are living in exile throughout the Persian Empire and face annihilation due to Haman's scheme. 4. The Persian Empire The setting of the Book of Esther, a vast empire where the Jewish people are living in exile. 5. The Decree A royal edict proposed by Haman to annihilate the Jewish people, which he offers to fund with a substantial sum of money. Teaching Points The Danger of Pride and HatredHaman's pride and hatred lead him to plot the destruction of an entire people. This serves as a warning against allowing such emotions to take root in our hearts. The Influence of Money and Power Haman's offer of ten thousand talents of silver highlights how money and power can be used for evil purposes. Believers are called to use their resources for God's glory and the good of others. God's Sovereignty and Protection Despite the dire circumstances, God is in control and protects His people. This encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty, even in difficult times. The Importance of Righteous Leadership The account underscores the need for leaders who seek God's wisdom and justice, contrasting Haman's wickedness with the righteous actions of Esther and Mordecai. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Esther 3:9?2. How does Haman's bribe in Esther 3:9 reveal his character and intentions? 3. What does Esther 3:9 teach about the dangers of unchecked power and influence? 4. How can Esther 3:9 inspire Christians to stand against injustice today? 5. Compare Haman's actions in Esther 3:9 with other biblical examples of corruption. 6. How should Christians respond when faced with leaders acting like Haman in Esther 3:9? 7. Why did Haman offer ten thousand talents of silver to destroy the Jews in Esther 3:9? 8. How does Esther 3:9 reflect the theme of divine providence in the Bible? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Esther 3:9? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Esther 3? 11. Esther 9:10: Does executing Haman's sons conflict with any biblical principles on individual accountability or moral responsibility? 12. How does the violent response sanctioned in Esther 8:11 align with broader Old Testament teachings on justice and mercy? 13. Esther 9:13-15: Why would an additional day of killing be sanctioned, and does this align with other biblical teachings on mercy and restraint? 14. How did Esther save the Jews from Haman's plot? What Does Esther 3:9 Mean If it pleases the king,• Haman begins with flattery, appealing to royal ego rather than truth (Proverbs 29:12; Acts 12:21–22). • He presents himself as a loyal servant, masking his hatred with polite diplomacy (Psalm 55:21). • The verse shows how leaders who do not submit to God can be swayed by praise more than principle (1 Kings 22:13; Daniel 6:6–7). let a decree be issued • In Persia, a royal decree was irrevocable (Esther 1:19; Daniel 6:8–12). • Haman wants the law itself to legitimize evil—what Isaiah 5:20 warns against. • The request illustrates Satan’s pattern of using governmental power to oppose God’s people (Revelation 12:17). to destroy them • The target is the entire Jewish population, echoing ancient hostility (Exodus 17:16; Psalm 83:4). • Genocide is called for without trial or evidence, showing sin’s murderous bent (John 8:44; 1 John 3:12). • God’s covenant people appear vulnerable, yet the promise of preservation remains intact (Genesis 12:3; Jeremiah 31:35-37). and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver • An enormous bribe—about 375 tons—meant to outweigh any moral hesitation (Proverbs 17:23; 1 Timothy 6:10). • Haman likely expects to recoup the sum by seizing Jewish assets (Esther 3:13; 8:11). • Money is wielded as a weapon, contrasting with God who ransoms without price (Isaiah 55:1; 1 Peter 1:18-19). into the royal treasury • Haman frames the payment as a patriotic boost to state income (2 Kings 16:8; Ezra 4:13). • The king’s apparent willingness hints at fiscal motives overshadowing justice (Proverbs 28:16). • Earthly treasuries can be stocked through oppression, but divine accounting will expose every transaction (James 5:1-4). to pay those who carry it out. • Execution squads will be financially motivated—evil outsourced for profit (2 Samuel 1:16; Matthew 26:14-15). • Haman ensures participation by rewarding cruelty, mirroring how sin entices (Romans 6:23; James 1:14-15). • Yet God can turn even hired hands into instruments of deliverance, as seen when the tables later turn (Esther 9:1-5; Proverbs 21:30). summary Haman flatters the king, seeks an unchangeable law, plots genocide, funds it with a colossal bribe, enriches the treasury, and hires executioners—all to annihilate God’s people. The verse exposes how pride, power, and greed combine to advance evil, while implicitly affirming that the Lord, who guards His covenant, will overturn every scheme against His own. (9) Ten thousand talents of silver.--This would be about two and a half millions sterling, being indeed more than two-thirds of the whole annual revenue of the Empire (Herod. iii. 95). Haman may have been a man of excessive wealth (like the Pythius who offered Xerxes four millions of gold darics (Herod. vii. 28), or he probably may have hoped to draw the money from the spoils of the Jews.Verse 9. - If it please the king, lot it be written that they may be destroyed, and I will pay, etc. This startling proposition, to which the king might well have demurred, for even Xerxes could scarcely have regarded such a massacre as a light matter, is followed immediately, and before the king has time to reflect, by the tempting offer of such a bribe as even a king could not view with indifference. Xerxes had once, if we may trust Herodotus, declined to accept from a subject a gift of money equal to about four and a half million of pounds sterling (Herod., 7:28); but this was early in his reign, when his treasury was full, and he had not exhausted his resources by the Greek war. Now, in his comparative poverty, a gift of from two to three millions had attractions for him which proved irresistible. To the hands of those that have the charge of the business. Not the business of the slaughter, but the business of receiving money for the king, i.e. the royal treasurers. To bring it. i.e. "for them to bring it," or pay it, "into the royal treasuries." On the multiplicity of the royal treasuries see the comment on Ezra 7:20.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ifאִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not the king הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king approves, עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against let [a decree] be issued יִכָּתֵ֖ב (yik·kā·ṯêḇ) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3789: To grave, to write to destroy them, לְאַבְּדָ֑ם (lə·’ab·bə·ḏām) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish and I will deposit לְהָבִ֖יא (lə·hā·ḇî) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go ten וַעֲשֶׂ֨רֶת (wa·‘ă·śe·reṯ) Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular construct Strong's 6235: Ten thousand אֲלָפִ֜ים (’ă·lā·p̄îm) Number - masculine plural Strong's 505: A thousand talents כִּכַּר־ (kik·kar-) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3603: A round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money) of silver כֶּ֗סֶף (ke·sep̄) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3701: Silver, money into אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the royal הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king treasury גִּנְזֵ֥י (gin·zê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1595: Treasury, perhaps chests to pay אֶשְׁקוֹל֙ (’eš·qō·wl) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 8254: To suspend, poise those who carry this out.” עֹשֵׂ֣י (‘ō·śê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 6213: To do, make Links Esther 3:9 NIVEsther 3:9 NLT Esther 3:9 ESV Esther 3:9 NASB Esther 3:9 KJV Esther 3:9 BibleApps.com Esther 3:9 Biblia Paralela Esther 3:9 Chinese Bible Esther 3:9 French Bible Esther 3:9 Catholic Bible OT History: Esther 3:9 If it pleases the king let it (Est Esth. 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