Esther 3:1-9 ▼

1 AFTER these things King Akhshirash promoted Haman the son of Hammadatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.

2 And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and did obeisance to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow nor pay him reverence.

3 Then the king's servants who were at the king's gate said to Mordecai, Why do you transgress the king's commandment?

4 Now it came to pass when they spoke daily to him and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, to know whether Mordecai's words were the truth; for he had told them that he was a Jew.

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down nor do him obeisance, then Haman was full of wrath against Mordecai.

6 And he thought it nothing to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had revealed to him the people of Mordecai; wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Akhshirash, even the people of Mordecai.

7 In the first month, that is, the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Akhshirash, they cast lots be fore Haman from day to day and from month to month. Then in the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar,

8 Haman said to King Akhshirash, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of King Akhshirash; and their laws are different from those of all other people; and they do not keep the king's laws; therefore the king ought not to spare them.

9 If 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.