Albert Barnes Commentary Esther 3
Albert Barnes Commentary
Esther 3
Albert Barnes Commentary
Esther 3
"After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him." — Esther 3:1 (ASV)
The name, Haman, is probably the same as the Classical Omanes, and in ancient Persian, "Umana," an exact equivalent of the Greek "Eumenes." Hammedatha is perhaps the same as "Madata" or "Mahadata," an old Persian name signifying "given by (or to) the moon."
The Agagite - The Jews generally understand by this expression "the descendant of Agag," the Amalekite monarch of (1 Samuel 15:0). Haman, however, by his own name, and the names of his sons (Esther 9:7–9) and his father, would seem to have been a genuine Persian.
The Classical writers make no mention of Haman’s advancement; but their notices of the reign of Xerxes after 479 B.C. are exceedingly scanty.
"And all the king`s servants, that were in the king`s gate, bowed down, and did reverence to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence." — Esther 3:2 (ASV)
Mordecai probably refused the required prostration, usual though it was, on religious grounds. Therefore, his opposition led to his confession that he was a Jew (Esther 3:4).
"Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai`s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew." — Esther 3:4 (ASV)
Whether Mordecai’s matters would stand - Rather, “whether Mordecai’s words would be accepted as valid” — whether, that is, his excuse, that he was a Jew, would be allowed as a valid reason for his refusal.
"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." — Esther 3:6 (ASV)
To destroy all the Jews — In the East massacres of a people, a race, a class, have at all times been among the incidents of history, and would naturally present themselves to the mind of a statesman. The Magophonia, or the great massacre of the Magi at the accession of Darius Hystaspis, was an event not then fifty years old, and was commemorated annually. A massacre of the Scythians had occurred about a century previously.
"In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, [to] the twelfth [month], which is the month Adar." — Esther 3:7 (ASV)
In the first month ... — that is, in March or April of 474 B.C.
“Pur” is supposed to be an old Persian word etymologically connected with the Latin “pars,” and signifying “part” or “lot.” The practice of casting lots to obtain a lucky day still obtains in the East, and is probably extremely ancient.
A lot seems to have been cast, or a throw of some kind made, for each day of the month and each month of the year. The day and month which obtained the best throws were then selected. Assyrian calendars note lucky and unlucky days as early as the eighth century B.C. Lots were in use both among the Oriental and the Classical nations from a remote antiquity.
“Adar,” the twelfth month, corresponds nearly to our March. It seems to have derived its name from “adar,” that is, “splendor,” because of the brightness of the sun and the flowers at that time.
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