Ester 3:1

Haman Conspires to Destroy the Jews

3:1 Some time later ¹  King Ahasuerus promoted ²  Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, exalting him and setting his position ³  above that of all the officials who were with him.

Ester 7:3

7:3 Queen Esther replied, “If I have met with your approval, ⁴  O king, and if the king is so inclined, grant me my life as my request, and my people as my petition.

Ester 8:14

8:14 The couriers who were riding the royal horses went forth with the king’s edict without delay. ⁵  And the law was presented in Susa the citadel as well.

[3:1]  ¹ tn Heb “after these things” (so KJV, ASV); NAB, NASB, NIV “After these events.”

[3:1]  ² tn Heb “made great”; NAB “raised…to high rank”; NIV “honored.”

[3:1]  sn The promotion of Haman in 3:1 for reasons unexplained contrasts noticeably with 2:19-23, where Mordecai’s contribution to saving the king’s life goes unnoticed. The irony is striking.

[3:1]  ³ tn Heb “chair”; KJV, NRSV “seat”; NASB “established his authority.”

[7:3]  ⁴ tn Heb “If I have found grace in your eyes” (so also in 8:5); TEV “If it please Your Majesty.”

[8:14]  ⁵ tn Heb “making haste and hurrying”; KJV, ASV “being hastened and pressed.”