King James Version

What Does Esther 3:6 Mean?

Esther 3:6 in the King James Version says “And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sou...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed 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 · KJV

Context

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.

5

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

6

And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed 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.

7

In the first month, that 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, that is, the month Adar.

8

And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. for the: Heb. meet or, equal, etc

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed 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. Haman's rage escalated from personal vendetta to genocide. Killing Mordecai alone seemed insufficient—"he thought scorn" (vayiven be-einav, וַיִּבֶן בְּעֵינָיו, literally "it was contemptible in his eyes") to target only one man. Learning Mordecai's Jewish identity, Haman "sought to destroy all the Jews" throughout the empire. This genocidal impulse reveals satanic hatred far beyond personal offense. The ancient enmity between Amalek and Israel resurfaces—Haman represents not just personal pride but spiritual warfare against God's covenant people. His plot to "destroy" (hashmid, הַשְׁמִיד) all Jews attempted to prevent the Messiah's coming by eliminating the chosen lineage. God's providence will transform this existential threat into ultimate deliverance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The escalation from personal revenge to ethnic genocide demonstrates ancient honor culture's extreme dynamics but also reveals deeper spiritual warfare. Amalekite-Israelite enmity was ancient and bitter (Exodus 17; 1 Samuel 15). Haman's identification of "the people of Mordecai" as Jews created opportunity for racial/religious persecution masquerading as security concerns (v. 8). Historical precedent shows ancient empires sometimes authorized pogroms against ethnic/religious minorities viewed as threats. The Persian administrative apparatus that could implement empire-wide decrees (used positively in Cyrus's decree allowing Jewish return, Ezra 1) could equally enable empire-wide persecution. Satan's repeated attempts to destroy the messianic line (Exodus 1; Matthew 2; Revelation 12) find expression here through Haman's plot.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Haman's escalation from personal offense to genocide illustrate how pride and hatred, unchecked, lead to monstrous evil?
  2. What does this passage teach about spiritual warfare and satanic attempts to destroy God's redemptive purposes through His chosen people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיִּ֣בֶז1 of 24

“scorn”

H959

to disesteem

בְּעֵינָ֗יו2 of 24

“And he thought”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לִשְׁלֹ֤ח3 of 24

“to lay”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יָד֙4 of 24

“hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מָרְדֳּכָֽי׃5 of 24

“of Mordecai”

H4782

mordecai, an israelite

לְבַדּ֔וֹ6 of 24
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

כִּֽי7 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִגִּ֥ידוּ8 of 24

“alone for they had shewed”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

ל֖וֹ9 of 24
H0
אֶת10 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַ֥ם11 of 24

“even the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מָרְדֳּכָֽי׃12 of 24

“of Mordecai”

H4782

mordecai, an israelite

וַיְבַקֵּ֣שׁ13 of 24

“sought”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

הָמָ֗ן14 of 24

“wherefore Haman”

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

לְהַשְׁמִ֧יד15 of 24

“to destroy”

H8045

to desolate

אֶת16 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל17 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַיְּהוּדִ֛ים18 of 24

“all the Jews”

H3064

a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)

אֲשֶׁ֛ר19 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּכָל20 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַלְכ֥וּת21 of 24

“that were throughout the whole kingdom”

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

אֲחַשְׁוֵר֖וֹשׁ22 of 24

“of Ahasuerus”

H325

achashverosh (i.e., ahasuerus or artaxerxes, but in this case xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a persian king

עַ֥ם23 of 24

“even the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מָרְדֳּכָֽי׃24 of 24

“of Mordecai”

H4782

mordecai, an israelite

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Esther. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Esther 3:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Esther 3:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 83:4Revelation 12:12

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