Esther 3 Study Notes: Haman’s Plot Against the Jews
Xerxes promotes Haman the Agagite, but Mordecai refuses to bow to him. Enraged, Haman resolves to destroy all the Jews, has a lot cast to choose the day, and persuades the king to issue a sealed decree for their destruction across the empire, while Susa is thrown into confusion.
General
What honor did King Xerxes give Haman at the start of chapter 3 (Esther 3:1)?
Answer: He raised Haman to a rank higher than every other noble
After the events of chapter 2, Xerxes promoted Haman the Agagite, Hammedatha’s son, raising him in rank above every other prince at court (3:1). The king even ordered all his servants at the gate to bow before Haman (3:2). The word Agagite reminds many readers of Agag, the king of the Amalekites whom Saul captured (1 Samuel 15:8). Esther does not explain the name, but a few verses later the text calls Haman the Jews’ enemy (3:10).
- Esther 3:1 (BSB)“After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.”Xerxes promotes Haman the Agagite above all the other princes.
- 1 Samuel 15:8 (BSB)“He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword.”Agag was king of the Amalekites, the link many readers see in Haman’s title.
- Esther 3:10 (BSB)“So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.”The text itself identifies Haman as the enemy of the Jews.
Theological
How did Xerxes honor Haman at the opening of chapter 3 (Esther 3:1)?
Answer: He raised Haman to a rank higher than every other noble
Xerxes promotes Haman the Agagite, Hammedatha’s son, raising his rank above all the other princes at court (3:1), and orders the officials at the gate to bow before him (3:2). Many readers connect the title Agagite with Agag, the Amalekite king whom Saul captured (1 Samuel 15:8); the book does not spell out any such descent, but it does name Haman as the Jews’ enemy (3:10).
- Esther 3:1 (BSB)“After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.”Xerxes promotes Haman the Agagite above all the other princes.
- 1 Samuel 15:8 (BSB)“He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword.”Agag was king of the Amalekites, the link many readers see in Haman’s title.
- Esther 3:10 (BSB)“So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.”The text itself identifies Haman as the enemy of the Jews.
General
Once Haman learned who Mordecai’s people were, what did he set out to do (Esther 3:5-6)?
Answer: To wipe out every Jew in the empire rather than Mordecai alone
Seeing that Mordecai refused to kneel or honor him, Haman became furious (3:5). When he learned that Mordecai was a Jew, he thought it too small a thing to punish Mordecai by himself; instead he aimed to destroy every Jew throughout Xerxes’ empire (3:6). One man’s wounded pride grew into a plan to wipe out a whole people. Scripture describes enemies of God’s people who have planned exactly this, to erase Israel so that its name would be forgotten (Psalm 83:4), and it lists haughty eyes and a heart that plots evil among the things the LORD hates (Proverbs 6:16-18).
- Esther 3:5-6 (BSB)“When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage. And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.”Haman’s rage at Mordecai becomes a plan to destroy all the Jews.
- Psalm 83:4 (BSB)“saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.””Enemies of God’s people plotted to wipe out Israel as a nation, as Haman now does.
- Proverbs 6:16-18 (BSB)“There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil,”The LORD hates pride and a heart that devises wicked schemes, both seen in Haman.
Theological
What did Haman resolve to do after he discovered who Mordecai’s people were (Esther 3:5-6)?
Answer: To wipe out every Jew in the empire rather than Mordecai alone
Enraged that Mordecai will not bow or honor him (3:5), Haman, on learning that Mordecai is a Jew, disdains to strike Mordecai alone and resolves to destroy every Jew in the empire (3:6). Personal offense escalates into a design of national annihilation. Scripture records such designs against God’s people, enemies conspiring to erase Israel so that its name is remembered no more (Psalm 83:4), and names haughty eyes and a heart that plots evil among the things the LORD hates (Proverbs 6:16-18).
- Esther 3:5-6 (BSB)“When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage. And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.”Haman’s rage at Mordecai becomes a plan to destroy all the Jews.
- Psalm 83:4 (BSB)“saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.””Enemies of God’s people plotted to wipe out Israel as a nation, as Haman now does.
- Proverbs 6:16-18 (BSB)“There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil,”The LORD hates pride and a heart that devises wicked schemes, both seen in Haman.
General
How did Haman describe to the king the people he wanted destroyed (Esther 3:8-9)?
Answer: A dispersed people with their own customs who defy royal law
Haman did not tell the king which people he meant. He described them as spread out among all the provinces, with customs unlike everyone else’s, and as people who ignored royal law, so that letting them be did not serve Xerxes’ interest (3:8). He asked for a decree to wipe them out and offered to put a huge sum, 10,000 silver talents, into the king’s treasury as wages for whoever carried it out (3:9). Charges of disloyalty were brought against the Jews under another Persian king as well (Ezra 4:12-13), and Pharaoh once used similar fears about Israel to justify cruelty against them (Exodus 1:9-10).
- Esther 3:8-9 (BSB)“Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.””Haman accuses an unnamed people of disloyalty and offers silver for their destruction.
- Ezra 4:12-13 (BSB)“Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring its walls and repairing its foundations. Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.”Opponents also accused the Jews of disloyalty before another Persian king.
- Exodus 1:9-10 (BSB)““Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.””Pharaoh used fear of Israel as a pretext for harsh treatment, as Haman does.
Theological
In what terms did Haman present the targeted people to the king (Esther 3:8-9)?
Answer: A dispersed people with their own customs who defy royal law
Haman leaves the people unnamed, describing them as scattered and dispersed through every province, with laws differing from all others and a disregard for the king’s laws, such that tolerating them does not serve the king’s interest (3:8); he requests a decree for their destruction and pledges 10,000 talents of silver to the king’s treasury as wages for whoever executes it (3:9). His appeal echoes the accusation of disloyalty lodged against the Jews before another Persian king (Ezra 4:12-13) and Pharaoh’s rationale for oppressing Israel (Exodus 1:9-10).
- Esther 3:8-9 (BSB)“Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.””Haman accuses an unnamed people of disloyalty and offers silver for their destruction.
- Ezra 4:12-13 (BSB)“Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring its walls and repairing its foundations. Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.”Opponents also accused the Jews of disloyalty before another Persian king.
- Exodus 1:9-10 (BSB)““Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.””Pharaoh used fear of Israel as a pretext for harsh treatment, as Haman does.
General
How does chapter 3 end, once the decree had gone out (Esther 3:15)?
Answer: Xerxes and Haman drank together while the city was in turmoil
The couriers hurried out at the king’s order, and the decree was announced in Susa (3:15). Then Xerxes and Haman sat drinking together, while the people of the city were thrown into confusion (3:15). The scene shows a terrible contrast between the comfort of the powerful and the distress their decision caused. Soon the Jews in every province mourned with fasting and weeping (4:3). The book later reverses this scene, when Susa shouts for joy as Mordecai leaves the king’s presence in royal robes (8:15).
- Esther 3:15 (BSB)“The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.”The king and Haman drink while the city of Susa is thrown into confusion.
- Esther 4:3 (BSB)“In every province to which the king’s command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.”The Jews in every province respond to the decree with mourning and fasting.
- Esther 8:15 (BSB)“Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.”Later the city of Susa rejoices, reversing its confusion here.
Theological
With what scene does chapter 3 close after the edict is published (Esther 3:15)?
Answer: Xerxes and Haman drank together while the city was in turmoil
The couriers go out in haste at the king’s command, the edict is issued in Susa, and Xerxes and Haman sit down to drink while the city is thrown into confusion (3:15). The juxtaposition sets the ease of the powerful against the turmoil their decree has created; the Jews of every province soon mourn with fasting and weeping (4:3). The book reverses the scene later, when Susa shouts and rejoices as Mordecai goes out from Xerxes in royal attire (8:15).
- Esther 3:15 (BSB)“The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.”The king and Haman drink while the city of Susa is thrown into confusion.
- Esther 4:3 (BSB)“In every province to which the king’s command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.”The Jews in every province respond to the decree with mourning and fasting.
- Esther 8:15 (BSB)“Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.”Later the city of Susa rejoices, reversing its confusion here.
General
When the royal servants reported Mordecai’s refusal to bow down to Haman, what had Mordecai told them about himself (Esther 3:2-4)?
Answer: That he was Jewish
The king had ordered all his officials at the gate to kneel and honor Haman, but Mordecai refused (3:2). The servants asked him why he was disobeying the king’s order and warned him day after day, yet he would not give in, so they told Haman to find out whether Mordecai’s conduct would be allowed to stand, because Mordecai had let them know he was Jewish (3:3-4). The text links his refusal only to his being a Jew; some readers think the honor demanded was more than a Jew could give to a man, and others connect it with the old conflict between Israel and Amalek. Mordecai went on refusing even to stand up for Haman later (5:9). His openness about being a Jew stands alongside Esther, who was still keeping her people hidden (2:20).
- Esther 3:2-4 (BSB)“All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage. Then the royal servants at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the command of the king?” Day after day they warned him, but he would not comply. So they reported it to Haman to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.”Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman despite daily warnings, having told the servants he is a Jew.
- Esther 5:9 (BSB)“That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.”Mordecai continues to refuse Haman any show of honor.
- Esther 2:20 (BSB)“Esther still had not revealed her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed. She obeyed Mordecai’s command, as she had done under his care.”Esther’s people remained hidden, in contrast with Mordecai’s openness about being a Jew.
Theological
What had Mordecai told the royal servants that they passed on with their report to Haman (Esther 3:2-4)?
Answer: That he was Jewish
Though Xerxes had ordered the servants at the gate to bow and pay homage to Haman, Mordecai refuses (3:2). Questioned and warned by them daily, he does not yield, and they report him to Haman to test whether his conduct would be allowed, since he had let them know he was Jewish (3:3-4). The text ties the refusal only to his Jewish identity; some readers see a scruple about honor due to God alone, others the old enmity between Israel and Amalek. His refusal persists, for later he neither rises nor trembles before Haman (5:9), and his openness about being a Jew stands alongside Esther’s still-hidden identity (2:20).
- Esther 3:2-4 (BSB)“All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage. Then the royal servants at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the command of the king?” Day after day they warned him, but he would not comply. So they reported it to Haman to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.”Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman despite daily warnings, having told the servants he is a Jew.
- Esther 5:9 (BSB)“That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.”Mordecai continues to refuse Haman any show of honor.
- Esther 2:20 (BSB)“Esther still had not revealed her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed. She obeyed Mordecai’s command, as she had done under his care.”Esther’s people remained hidden, in contrast with Mordecai’s openness about being a Jew.
General
How did King Xerxes respond to Haman’s request (Esther 3:10-11)?
Answer: He gave Haman his signet ring and let him do as he pleased
Xerxes pulled off his signet ring and handed it to Haman, whom the text now names as the Jews’ enemy (3:10). The signet ring was used to seal official orders, so giving it away meant giving Haman the king’s own authority, as when Pharaoh gave his ring to Joseph (Genesis 41:42). The king told Haman to keep his money and do with the people whatever he wished (3:11), without even asking who they were. Later the same ring will be taken back from Haman and given to Mordecai (8:2).
- Esther 3:10-11 (BSB)“So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. “Keep your money,” said the king to Haman. “These people are given to you to do with them as you please.””The king hands Haman his signet ring and gives him power over the people.
- Genesis 41:42 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck.”Pharaoh’s giving his signet ring to Joseph shows that the ring carried royal authority.
- Esther 8:2 (BSB)“The king removed the signet ring he had recovered from Haman and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai over the estate of Haman.”Later the king takes the ring back from Haman and gives it to Mordecai.
Theological
What was the king’s response to Haman’s proposal (Esther 3:10-11)?
Answer: He gave Haman his signet ring and let him do as he pleased
Xerxes removes his signet ring and gives it to Haman, now named the Jews’ enemy (3:10), handing over royal authority to seal decrees, as Pharaoh did in giving his ring to Joseph (Genesis 41:42). He waves off the silver and gives the people over to Haman to do with as he pleases (3:11), without asking who they are. The ring will later pass from Haman to Mordecai (8:2), one of the book’s marked reversals.
- Esther 3:10-11 (BSB)“So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. “Keep your money,” said the king to Haman. “These people are given to you to do with them as you please.””The king hands Haman his signet ring and gives him power over the people.
- Genesis 41:42 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck.”Pharaoh’s giving his signet ring to Joseph shows that the ring carried royal authority.
- Esther 8:2 (BSB)“The king removed the signet ring he had recovered from Haman and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai over the estate of Haman.”Later the king takes the ring back from Haman and gives it to Mordecai.
General
What did the letters written under the king’s name and sent to every province order (Esther 3:12-14)?
Answer: That all the Jews be destroyed on one set day in Adar
Less than two weeks into the new year, the king’s scribes wrote out Haman’s order to the officials of every province, in every script and language, under Xerxes’ name and sealed with his ring (3:12). Couriers carried it to every province: on one day, the thirteenth of Adar, the Jews were to be destroyed, every one of them, young and old, and their goods taken (3:13), and the text was made public so that people would be ready (3:14). Because it bore the king’s seal, it could not be canceled (8:8). Yet the book later records that on that very day the enemies’ plan was turned upside down (9:1). Scripture teaches that the LORD’s purpose stands even when nations make their plans (Psalm 33:10-11).
- Esther 3:12-13 (BSB)“On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring. And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.”Haman’s order to destroy the Jews on a single day is written in the king’s name and sent out.
- Esther 8:8 (BSB)“Now you may write in the king’s name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.””A decree sealed with the king’s ring could not be revoked.
- Esther 9:1 (BSB)“On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them.”On the very day set by the decree, the enemies’ plan was overturned.
- Psalm 33:10-11 (BSB)“The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.”The LORD frustrates the plans of nations, while His purposes stand forever.
Theological
What did the edict issued under the king’s name and sealed with his ring command (Esther 3:12-14)?
Answer: That all the Jews be destroyed on one set day in Adar
On the thirteenth of Nisan, the king’s scribes write Haman’s order to satraps, governors, and officials across the empire, in every script and language, in Xerxes’ name and under his seal (3:12). The couriers carry a command that every Jew, of every age, be destroyed on one appointed day, the thirteenth of Adar, with their goods to be seized (3:13), and the text is published so that all would be ready (3:14). A decree so sealed could not be revoked (8:8), yet on the appointed day the enemies’ plan was overturned (9:1). Scripture teaches that the LORD thwarts what the nations scheme while His own counsel stands (Psalm 33:10-11).
- Esther 3:12-13 (BSB)“On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring. And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.”Haman’s order to destroy the Jews on a single day is written in the king’s name and sent out.
- Esther 8:8 (BSB)“Now you may write in the king’s name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.””A decree sealed with the king’s ring could not be revoked.
- Esther 9:1 (BSB)“On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them.”On the very day set by the decree, the enemies’ plan was overturned.
- Psalm 33:10-11 (BSB)“The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.”The LORD frustrates the plans of nations, while His purposes stand forever.
General
How was the date chosen for carrying out Haman’s plan (Esther 3:7)?
Answer: The Pur, a lot, was cast to pick a day and a month
At the start of Xerxes’ twelfth year, the Pur, which means the lot, was thrown in Haman’s presence to pick a day and a month, and it landed on Adar, the last month of the year (3:7). That left almost a whole year before the planned day. Later the Jews’ yearly feast of Purim takes its name from this Pur, because Haman had cast it to destroy them but his scheme came back on his own head (9:24-26). Esther never names God, but Scripture elsewhere teaches that although a lot is thrown into the lap, every decision it makes comes from the LORD (Proverbs 16:33).
- Esther 3:7 (BSB)“In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman to determine a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.”The lot is cast before Haman to choose the day, and it falls on the month of Adar.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”Scripture teaches that the outcome of every lot is decided by the LORD.
- Esther 9:24-26 (BSB)“For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them. But when it came before the king, he commanded by letter that the wicked scheme which Haman had devised against the Jews should come back upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Therefore these days are called Purim, from the word Pur. Because of all the instructions in this letter, and because of all they had seen and experienced,”The festival of Purim is later named after the lot Haman cast, when his plot turned back on him.
Theological
By what means was the date for Haman’s plan determined (Esther 3:7)?
Answer: The Pur, a lot, was cast to pick a day and a month
At the start of Xerxes’ twelfth year, the Pur, or lot, is cast in Haman’s presence to fix the day and month; it falls on Adar, the last month of the year (3:7), leaving nearly a year before the appointed day. The festival of Purim later takes its name from this Pur, since Haman cast it to destroy the Jews, yet his wicked scheme returned on his own head (9:24-26). Esther never names God, but Scripture elsewhere teaches that even the outcome of the lot is the LORD’s decision (Proverbs 16:33), and that includes the lot cast before Haman.
- Esther 3:7 (BSB)“In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman to determine a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.”The lot is cast before Haman to choose the day, and it falls on the month of Adar.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”Scripture teaches that the outcome of every lot is decided by the LORD.
- Esther 9:24-26 (BSB)“For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them. But when it came before the king, he commanded by letter that the wicked scheme which Haman had devised against the Jews should come back upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Therefore these days are called Purim, from the word Pur. Because of all the instructions in this letter, and because of all they had seen and experienced,”The festival of Purim is later named after the lot Haman cast, when his plot turned back on him.