1 Haman, after he was exalted, obtained of the King, that all the Jews should be put to death, because Mordecai had not done him worship as others had.

After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and exalted him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.

And all the king’s servants that were at the king’s gate, bowed their knees, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him: but Mordecai [a]bowed not the knee, neither did reverence.

Then the king’s servants which were at the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?

And albeit they spake daily unto him, yet he would not hear them: therefore they [b]told Haman, that they might see how Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them, that he was a Jew.

And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not the knee unto him, nor did reverence unto him, then Haman was full of wrath.

Now he [c]thought it too little to lay hands only on Mordecai: and because they had showed him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 3:2 The Persians’ manner was to kneel down and reverence their kings, and such as he appointed in chief authority, which Mordecai would not do to this ambitious and proud man.
  2. Esther 3:4 Thus we see that there is none so wicked, but they have their flatterers to accuse the godly.
  3. Esther 3:6 Hebrew, despised in his eyes.

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