King James Version

What Does Esther 3:9 Mean?

Esther 3:9 in the King James Version says “If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to th...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. that they: Heb. to destroy them pay: Heb. weigh”

Esther 3:9 · KJV

Context

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

9

If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. that they: Heb. to destroy them pay: Heb. weigh

10

And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. enemy: or, oppressor

11

And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

Read Esther 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Haman's accusation against the Jews is masterfully manipulative. He doesn't name them ("a certain people"), presents their presence as threatening ("scattered and dispersed"—suggesting infiltration), claims legal non-compliance ("their laws are diverse; neither keep they the king's laws"), and argues economic/security benefit to eliminating them ("not for the king's profit to suffer them"). Each element is partially true but massively distorted: Jews were dispersed (diaspora), did maintain distinct laws (covenant faithfulness), and sometimes disobeyed commands contradicting God's law (like Mordecai's refusal to bow). But Haman perverts these facts into justification for genocide. This demonstrates how truth can be weaponized through selective presentation and malicious interpretation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient empires often scapegoated minority populations, especially during crises. Haman's rhetoric mirrors antisemitic tropes throughout history: portraying Jews as alien infiltrators, loyal to their own laws rather than the state, and economically parasitic. The claim that eliminating Jews would "profit" the king (amplified in v. 9 with the offer of 10,000 talents) added financial incentive to security concerns. Archaeological and historical evidence shows ancient Near Eastern kingdoms sometimes authorized persecution of ethnic/religious minorities viewed as threats. The Persian Empire's diversity created both tolerance for various peoples and potential for ethnic/religious conflict when demagogues exploited differences for political purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Haman's manipulative use of partial truths teach vigilance against propaganda that weaponizes facts through selective presentation?
  2. What does this passage reveal about how hatred rationalizes atrocity through security arguments and economic incentives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
אִם1 of 19
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

עַל2 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃3 of 19

“it into the king's”

H4428

a king

ט֔וֹב4 of 19

“If it please”

H2895

to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense

יִכָּתֵ֖ב5 of 19

“let it be written”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

לְאַבְּדָ֑ם6 of 19

“that they may be destroyed”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

וַֽעֲשֶׂ֨רֶת7 of 19

“ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

אֲלָפִ֜ים8 of 19

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

כִּכַּר9 of 19

“talents”

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

כֶּ֗סֶף10 of 19

“of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

אֶשְׁקוֹל֙11 of 19

“and I will pay”

H8254

to suspend or poise (especially in trade)

עַל12 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְדֵי֙13 of 19

“to the 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

עֹשֵׂ֣י14 of 19

“of those that have the charge”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה15 of 19

“of the business”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

לְהָבִ֖יא16 of 19

“to bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל17 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גִּנְזֵ֥י18 of 19

“treasuries”

H1595

treasure; by implication, a coffer

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃19 of 19

“it into the king's”

H4428

a king

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 3:9 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 3:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 23:16Matthew 18:24

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