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Esther 3

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 3 of 10

1 ¶ After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and lifted him up, and set his seat above all the rulers with him.

2 And all the king's servants who were in the king's gate were kneeling and bowing down to Haman, for the king had so commanded for him. But Mordecai did not bow down and did not kneel.

3 And the king's servants who were at the gate of the king said to Mordecai, Why are you transgressing the king's command?

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Chapter Summary

1 Haman, despised by Mordecai, seeks revenge on all the Jews. 8 He obtains a decree from the king to put the Jews to death.

Key Hebrew Words

צֹרֵ֥ר shew hostility toward H6887 · TWOT 1974
יְהוּדִֽי Jew H3064 · TWOT 850a
צִוָּה lay charge H6680 · TWOT 1887
מִצְוַ֥ת commandment H4687 · TWOT 1887b
שָׂ֤רֵי chieftain H8269 · TWOT 2295a

People & Context

Haman Promoted

King Ahasuerus promotes Haman the Agagite, elevating his seat above all other rulers in the kingdom.

Mordecai Refuses to Bow to Haman

All the king's servants bow down to Haman as commanded by the king, but Mordecai refuses to bow or kneel. The servants question him day by day.

Haman Informed of Mordecai's Heritage

The king's servants report Mordecai's refusal to Haman to see if Mordecai's behavior will be tolerated, revealing to Haman that Mordecai is a Jew.

Timeline

Haman Promoted

King Ahasuerus promotes Haman the Agagite, elevating his seat above all other rulers in the kingdom.

Esther 3:1
Mordecai Refuses to Bow to Haman

All the king's servants bow down to Haman as commanded by the king, but Mordecai refuses to bow or kneel. The servants question him day by day.

Esther 3:2-4
Haman Informed of Mordecai's Heritage

The king's servants report Mordecai's refusal to Haman to see if Mordecai's behavior will be tolerated, revealing to Haman that Mordecai is a Jew.

Esther 3:4

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