Haman
Koran
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Bible |
Moses, Pharaoh, Haman in EgyptTa, Sin, Mim. These are Verses of the Book that makes (things) clear. We rehearse to you some of the story of Moses and Pharaoh in Truth, for people who believe for the instruction of the faithful. Now Pharaoh made himself a tyrant in the land. He divided his people into castes, one group of which he persecuted, putting their sons to death and sparing only their daughters. Truly, he was an evil doer. But it was Our will to favor those who were oppressed in the land and to make them leaders among men, to bestow on them a noble heritage and to give them power in the land; and to inflict on Pharaoh, Haman, and their warriors the very scourge they dreaded. We revealed Our will to Moses’ mother, saying: “Give him suck, but if you are concerned about his safety, then put him down onto the river. Have no fear, nor be dismayed; for We shall restore him to you and shall invest him with a mission.” Pharaoh’s household picked him up, though he was to become their adversary and their scourge. For Pharaoh, Haman, and their warriors were sinners all. His wife said to Pharaoh: “This child may bring joy to us both. Do not slay him. He may show promise, and we may adopt him as our son.” But they little knew what they were doing. Moses’ mother’s heart was sorely troubled. She would have revealed who he was, had We not given her strength so that she might become a true believer. She said to his sister: “Go, and follow him.” She watched him from a distance, unseen by others. Now We had caused him to refuse his nurses’ breasts. His sister said to them: “Shall I direct you to a family who will bring him up for you and take good care of him?” Thus did We restore him to his mother, so that she might rejoice in him and grieve no more, and that she might learn that Allah’s promise was true. Yet most men are not aware of this. And when he had reached maturity and grown to manhood We bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward the righteous. He entered the town unnoticed by its people, and found two men at each other’s throats, the one of his own race, the other an enemy. The Israelite appealed for Moses’ help against his enemy, so that Moses struck him with his fist and slew him. “This is the work of Satan,” said Moses. “He is the sworn enemy of man and seeks to lead him astray. Forgive me, Lord, he said, “for I have sinned against my own soul.” And Allah forgave him; for He is the Forgiving One, the Merciful. He said: “By the favor You have shown me, Lord, I vow that I will never lend a helping hand to wrongdoers.” Next morning, as he was walking in the town in fear and caution, the man who sought his help the day before cried out to him again for help. “Clearly,” said Moses, “you are a quarrelsome man.” And when Moses was about to lay his hands on their enemy, the Egyptian said: “Moses, would you slay me as you slew that man yesterday? You are surely seeking to be a tyrant in the land, not an upright man.” A man came running from the farthest quarter of the city. “Moses,” he cried, “the elders are plotting to kill you. Fly for your life, if you will heed my counsel!” He went away in fear and caution, saying: “Lord, deliver me from the wicked people.” And as he made his way towards Midian, he said: “May the Lord guide me to the even path.” The Story 28:1-22 page 271-272 Moses in MidianWhen he came to the well of Midian, he found around it a multitude of men watering their flocks, and beside them two women who were keeping back their sheep. “What is it that troubles you?” he asked. They replied: “We cannot water them until the shepherds have driven away their flocks. Our father is an aged man.” Moses watered their sheep for them and then retired to the shade, saying: “Lord, I surely stand in need of the blessing which You have sent me.” One of the two girls came bashfully towards him and said: “My father calls you. He wishes to reward you for watering our flock.” And when Moses went and recounted to him his story, the old man said: “Fear nothing. You are now safe from the wicked people.” One of the girls said: “Father, take this man into your service. A man who is strong and honest is the best that you can hire.” The old man said: “I will give you one of these two daughters of mine in marriage if you stay eight years in my service; but if you wish it, you may stay ten. I shall not deal harshly with you.; Allah willing, you shall find me an upright man.” “So be it between us,” said Moses. “Whichever term I shall fulfill, I trust I shall not be wronged. Allah is the witness of what we say.” The Story 28:23-28 pages 272-273 Moses and the fire on the mountain sideTwo signs for Pharaoh And when he had fulfilled his term and was journeying with his folk. Moses descried a fire on the mountain side. He said to his people: “Stay here, for I can see a fire. Perhaps I can bring you news, or a lighted torch to warm yourselves with.” When he came near, a voice called out to him from a bush in a blessed spot on the right side of the valley, saying: “Moses, I am Allah, Lord of the Universe. Throw down your staff.” And when he saw it slithering like a serpent, he turned and fled, without a backward glance. “Moses,” said the voice, “approach and have no fear. You are safe. Put your hand in your pocket: it will come out white, although unharmed. Now draw back your arm, and do not stretch it out in terror. These are two signs from your Lord for Pharaoh and his people. Surely, they are sinful men” The Story 28:29-32 Moses and Exodus from Egypt“Lord,” said Moses, “I have killed one of their number and fear that they will slay me. Aaron my brother is more fluent of tongue than I; send him with me that he may help me and confirm my words, for I fear they will reject me.” He replied: “We will strengthen your arm with your brother, and will bestow such power on you both, that none shall harm you. Set forth, with Our signs. You and those who follow you, shall surely triumph.” And when Moses came to them with Our undoubted signs, they said: “This is nothing but baseless sorcery, nor have we heard of the like among our forefathers.” Moses replied: My Lord knows best the man who brings guidance from His presence and gains the recompense of the life to come. The wrongdoers shall never prosper.” “Nobles,” said Pharaoh, “you have no other god that I know of except myself. Make me, Haman, bricks of clay and build for me a tower that I may climb to the god of Moses. I am convinced that he is lying.” Pharaoh and his warriors conducted themselves with arrogance and injustice in the land, thinking they would never be recalled to Us. But We took him and his warriors, and We cast them into the sea. Consider the fate of the evil doers. We made them leaders who called men to the Fire. But on the Day of Resurrection none shall help them. In this world We laid a curse on them, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be among the damned. After We destroyed the first generations We gave the Book to Moses as a clear sign, a guide and a blessing for mankind. So that they might take thought. The Story 28:33-43 page 274 Moses, Pharaoh, Haman, and KorahWe sent Moses with our signs and with clear authority to Pharaoh, Haman, and Korah. But they said: “A sorcerer, a teller of lies.” And when he brought them the Truth from Our self, they said: “Put to death the sons of those who share his faith, and spare only their daughters.” Futile were the schemes of the unbelievers. Pharaoh said: “Let me slay Moses, and then let him invoke his god! I fear that he will change your religion and spread disorder un the land.” Moses said: “I take refuge in my Lord and in your Lord from every tyrant who denies the Day of Reckoning.” But one of Pharaoh’s kinsmen, who in secret was a true believer, said: “Would you slay a man merely because he says: “My Lord is Allah”? He has brought you evident signs from your Lord. If he is lying, may his lie be on his head; but if he is speaking the truth, a part at least of what he threatens will smite you. Allah does not guide the lying transgressor. Today you are the masters, my people, illustrious throughout the earth. But who will save us from the might of Allah when it bears down upon us?” Pharaoh said: “I have told you what I think. I will surely guide you to the right path.” He who was a true believer said: “I warn you, my people, against the fate which overtook the factions: the people of Noah, ‘Ad, and Thamud, and those that came after them. Allah does not seek to wrong His servants.” “I warn you, my people, against the day when men will cry out to one another, when you will turn and flee, with none to defend you against Allah. He whom Allah confounds shall have none to guide him. Long before this, Joseph came to you with veritable signs, but you never ceased to doubt them; and when he died you said: “After him Allah will never send another apostle.” Thus Allah confounds the doubting transgressor. Those who dispute Allah’s revelations, with no authority vouchsafed to them, are held in deep abhorrence by Allah and by the faithful. Thus Allah seals up the heart of every scornful tyrant.” Pharaoh said to Haman: “Build me a tower that I may reach the highways – the very highways – of the heavens, and look upon the god of Moses. I am convinced that he is lying. Thus was Pharaoh seduced by his foul deeds and was turned away from the right path. Pharaoh’s cunning led to nothing but perdition. Gafir The Believer 40:23-37 |
Haman the Enemy of the Jews
Esther 1 1:1 Now it came to pass in the
days of Ahasuerus (this was the Ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and
twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia), 2 in those days when King
Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the citadel,
3 that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his officials
and servants--the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of
the provinces being before him-- 4 when he showed the riches of his glorious
kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred
and eighty days in all. 5 And when these days were completed, the king made a
feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the
citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king's
palace. 6 There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of
fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were
of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white
and black marble. 7 And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel
being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to
the generosity of the king. 8 In accordance with the law, the drinking was
not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his
household, that they should do according to each man's pleasure. 9 Queen
Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to
King Ahasuerus. 10 On the seventh day, when the
heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,
Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence
of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her
royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for
she was beautiful to behold. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the
king's command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and
his anger burned within him. 13 Then the king said to the wise
men who understood the times (for this was the king's manner toward all who
knew law and justice, 14 those closest to him being Carshena, Shethar,
Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia
and Media, who had access to the king's presence, and who ranked highest in
the kingdom): 15 What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because
she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the
eunuchs?" 16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes:
"Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes,
and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the
queen's behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise
their husbands in their eyes, when they report, 'King Ahasuerus commanded
Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.' 18
"This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the
king's officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus
there will be excessive contempt and wrath. 19 If it pleases the king, let a
royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the
Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall
come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position
to another who is better than she. 20 When the king's decree which he will
make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives
will honor their husbands, both great and small." 21 And the reply
pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of
Memucan. 22 Then he sent letters to all the king's provinces, to each
province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that
each man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his
own people. NKJV Esther 2 2:1 After these things, when the
wrath of King Ahasuerus subsided, he remembered Vashti, what she had done,
and what had been decreed against her. 2 Then the king's servants who
attended him said: "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king;
3 and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that
they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the citadel, into
the women's quarters, under the custody of Hegai the king's eunuch, custodian
of the women. And let beauty preparations be given them. 4 Then let the young
woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti." This thing
pleased the king, and he did so. 5 In Shushan the citadel there was
a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the
son of Kish, a Benjamite. 6 Kish had been carried away from Jerusalem with
the captives who had been captured with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom
Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7 And Mordecai had
brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had
neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her
father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. 8 So it was, when the king's
command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at
Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken
to the king's palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. 9
Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily
gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice
maidservants were provided for her from the king's palace, and he moved her
and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women. 10 Esther
had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to
reveal it. 11 And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the
women's quarters, to learn of Esther's welfare and what was happening to her.
12 Each young woman's turn came to
go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months' preparation,
according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their
preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with
perfumes and preparations for beautifying women. 13 Thus prepared, each young
woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with
her from the women's quarters to the king's palace. 14 In the evening she
went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the
custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who kept the concubines. She would
not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for
her by name. 15 Now when the turn came for
Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as
his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the
king's eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor
in the sight of all who saw her. 16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus,
into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in
the seventh year of his reign. 17 The king loved Esther more than all the
other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the
virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead
of Vashti. 18 Then the king made a great feast, the Feast of Esther, for all
his officials and servants; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces and
gave gifts according to the generosity of a king. 19 When virgins were gathered
together a second time, Mordecai sat within the king's gate. 20 Now Esther
had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her,
for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him. 21 In those days, while Mordecai
sat within the king's gate, two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh,
doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 22 So
the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed
the king in Mordecai's name. 23 And when an inquiry was made into the matter,
it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gallows; and it was written in
the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king. NKJV Esther 3 3:1 After these things King
Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him
and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. 2 And all the
king's servants who were within the king's gate bowed and paid homage to
Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not
bow or pay homage. 3 Then the king's servants who were within the king's gate
said to Mordecai, "Why do you transgress the king's command?" 4 Now
it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them,
that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai's words would stand; for
Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew. 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai did
not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath. 6 But he disdained to
lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai.
Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole
kingdom of Ahasuerus--the people of Mordecai. 7 In the first month, which is the
month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that
is, the lot), before Haman to determine the day and the month, until it fell
on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. 8 Then Haman said to King
Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the
people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from
all other people's, and they do not keep the king's laws. Therefore it is not
fitting for the king to let them remain. 9 If it pleases the king, let a
decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents
of silver into the hands of those who do the work, to bring it into the
king's treasuries." 10 So the king took his signet ring from his hand
and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the
Jews. 11 And the king said to Haman, "The money and the people are given
to you, to do with them as seems good to you." 12 Then the king's scribes were
called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written
according to all that Haman commanded--to the king's satraps, to the
governors who were over each province, to the officials of all people, to
every province according to its script, and to every people in their language.
In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king's
signet ring. 13 And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king's
provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young
and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the
twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions.
14 A copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province, being
published for all people, that they should be ready for that day. 15 The
couriers went out, hastened by the king's command; and the decree was
proclaimed in Shushan the citadel. So the king and Haman sat down to drink,
but the city of Shushan was perplexed. NKJV Esther 4 4:1 When Mordecai learned all that
had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went
out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He
went as far as the front of the king's gate, for no one might enter the
king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province where the king's
command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with
fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 So Esther's maids and eunuchs
came and told her, and the queen was deeply distressed. Then she sent
garments to clothe Mordecai and take his sackcloth away from him, but he
would not accept them. 5 Then Esther called Hathach, one of the king's
eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend her, and she gave him a command
concerning Mordecai, to learn what and why this was. 6 So Hathach went out to
Mordecai in the city square that was in front of the king's gate. 7 And
Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the sum of money that
Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries to destroy the Jews. 8
He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction, which
was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her,
and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to
him and plead before him for her people. 9 So Hathach returned and told
Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach,
and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 All the king's servants and the
people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the
inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all
to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that
he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these
thirty days." 12 So they told Mordecai Esther's words. 13 Then Mordecai told them to
answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the
king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain
completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the
Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who
knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" 15
Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather all the Jews
who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three
days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to
the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" 17 So
Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him. NKJV Esther 5 5:1 Now it happened on the third
day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the
king's palace, across from the king's house, while the king sat on his royal
throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. 2 So it was,
when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in
his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his
hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. 3 And the
king said to her, "What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request?
It shall be given to you--up to half the kingdom!" 4 So Esther answered,
"If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the
banquet that I have prepared for him." 5 Then the king said, "Bring
Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said." So the king and Haman
went to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6 At the banquet of wine the king
said to Esther, "What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is
your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!" 7 Then Esther
answered and said, "My petition and request is this: 8 If I have found
favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my
petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the
banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has
said." 9 So Haman went out that day
joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate,
and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with
indignation against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and
went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11
Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children,
everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him
above the officials and servants of the king. 12 Moreover Haman said,
"Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to
the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along
with the king. 13 Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai
the Jew sitting at the king's gate." 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his
friends said to him, "Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in
the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go
merrily with the king to the banquet." And the thing pleased Haman; so
he had the gallows made. NKJV Esther 6 6:1 That night the king could not
sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the
chronicles; and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written
that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, the
doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 Then the king
said, "What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for
this?" And the king's servants who attended him said, "Nothing has
been done for him." 4 So the king said, "Who is
in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king's
palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had
prepared for him. 5 The king's servants said to him, "Haman is there,
standing in the court." And the king said, "Let him come in."
6 So Haman came in, and the king asked him, "What shall be done for the
man whom the king delights to honor?" Now Haman thought in his heart,
"Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?" 7 And Haman
answered the king, "For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let a
royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king
has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let this robe
and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes,
that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on
horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: 'Thus shall it be
done to the man whom the king delights to honor!' " 10 Then the king said
to Haman, "Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested,
and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king's gate! Leave nothing
undone of all that you have spoken." 11 So Haman took the robe and the
horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, and
proclaimed before him, "Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king
delights to honor!" 12 Afterward Mordecai went back to
the king's gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head
covered. 13 When Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything
that had happened to him, his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him,
"If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent,
you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him." 14
While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs came, and hastened
to bring Haman to the banquet which Esther had prepared. NKJV Esther 7 7:1 So the king and Haman went to
dine with Queen Esther. 2 And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the
king again said to Esther, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It
shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It
shall be done!" 3 Then Queen Esther answered and said, "If I have
found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be
given me at my petition, and my people at my request. 4 For we have been
sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated.
Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue,
although the enemy could never compensate for the king's loss." 5 So King Ahasuerus answered and
said to Queen Esther, "Who is he, and where is he, who would dare
presume in his heart to do such a thing?" 6 And Esther said, "The
adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!" So Haman was terrified before
the king and queen. 7 Then the king arose in his wrath
from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden; but Haman stood
before Queen Esther, pleading for his life, for he saw that evil was
determined against him by the king. 8 When the king returned from the palace
garden to the place of the banquet of wine, Haman had fallen across the couch
where Esther was. Then the king said, "Will he also assault the queen
while I am in the house?" As the word left the king's mouth, they
covered Haman's face. 9 Now Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, said to the king,
"Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai,
who spoke good on the king's behalf, is standing at the house of Haman."
Then the king said, "Hang him on it!" 10 So they hanged Haman on
the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's wrath
subsided. NKJV Esther 8 8:1 On that day King Ahasuerus
gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai
came before the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 So the
king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to
Mordecai; and Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman. 3 Now Esther spoke again to the
king, fell down at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the
evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme which he had devised against the
Jews. 4 And the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther. So Esther
arose and stood before the king, 5 and said, "If it pleases the king,
and if I have found favor in his sight and the thing seems right to the king
and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to revoke the letters
devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to
annihilate the Jews who are in all the king's provinces. 6 For how can I
endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to
see the destruction of my countrymen?" 7 Then King Ahasuerus said to
Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, "Indeed, I have given Esther the
house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows because he tried to
lay his hand on the Jews. 8 You yourselves write a decree for the Jews, as
you please, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's signet ring; for
a letter which is written in the king's name and sealed with the king's
signet ring no one can revoke." 9 So the king's scribes were
called at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the
twenty-third day; and it was written, according to all that Mordecai
commanded, to the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the
provinces from India to Ethiopia, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces in
all, to every province in its own script, to every people in their own
language, and to the Jews in their own script and language. 10 And he wrote
in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed it with the king's signet ring, and sent
letters by couriers on horseback, riding on royal horses bred from swift
steeds. 11 By these letters the king permitted the Jews who were in every
city to gather together and protect their lives--to destroy, kill, and
annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them,
both little children and women, and to plunder their possessions, 12 on one
day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the
twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. 13 A copy of the document was to
be issued as a decree in every province and published for all people, so that
the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14
The couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by
the king's command. And the decree was issued in Shushan the citadel. 15 So Mordecai went out from the
presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown
of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan
rejoiced and was glad. 16 The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor. 17
And in every province and city, wherever the king's command and decree came,
the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people
of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them. NKJV Esther 9 9:1 Now in the twelfth month, that
is, the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the king's
command and his decree to be executed. On the day that the enemies of the
Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews
themselves overpowered those who hated them. 2 The Jews gathered together in
their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on
those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, because fear of
them fell upon all people. 3 And all the officials of the provinces, the
satraps, the governors, and all those doing the king's work, helped the Jews,
because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the
king's palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for this man
Mordecai became increasingly prominent. 5 Thus the Jews defeated all their
enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did
what they pleased with those who hated them. 6 And in Shushan the citadel the
Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. 7 Also Parshandatha, Dalphon,
Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and
Vajezatha-- 10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the
Jews--they killed; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder. 11 On that day the number of those
who were killed in Shushan the citadel was brought to the king. 12 And the
king said to Queen Esther, "The Jews have killed and destroyed five
hundred men in Shushan the citadel, and the ten sons of Haman. What have they
done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now what is your petition? It shall
be granted to you. Or what is your further request? It shall be done."
13 Then Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the
Jews who are in Shushan to do again tomorrow according to today's decree, and
let Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows." 14 So the king commanded
this to be done; the decree was issued in Shushan, and they hanged Haman's
ten sons. 15 And the Jews who were in
Shushan gathered together again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar
and killed three hundred men at Shushan; but they did not lay a hand on the
plunder. 16 The remainder of the Jews in
the king's provinces gathered together and protected their lives, had rest
from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of their enemies; but
they did not lay a hand on the plunder. 17 This was on the thirteenth day of
the month of Adar. And on the fourteenth day of the month they rested and
made it a day of feasting and gladness. 18 But the Jews who were at
Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day, as well as on the
fourteenth; and on the fifteenth of the month they rested, and made it a day
of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages who dwelt in
the unwalled towns celebrated the fourteenth day of the month of Adar with
gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and for sending presents to one another.
20 And Mordecai wrote these things
and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces
of King Ahasuerus, 21 to establish among them that they should celebrate
yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar, 22 as the days
on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned
from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should
make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and
gifts to the poor. 23 So the Jews accepted the custom which they had begun,
as Mordecai had written to them, 24 because Haman, the son of Hammedatha the
Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to
annihilate them, and had cast Pur (that is, the lot), to consume them and
destroy them; 25 but when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letter
that this wicked plot which Haman had devised against the Jews should return
on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 So they called these days
Purim, after the name Pur. Therefore, because of all the words of this
letter, what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had happened to
them, 27 the Jews established and imposed it upon themselves and their
descendants and all who should join them, that without fail they should
celebrate these two days every year, according to the written instructions
and according to the prescribed time, 28 that these days should be remembered
and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every
city, that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews,
and that the memory of them should not perish among their descendants. 29 Then Queen Esther, the daughter
of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this
second letter about Purim. 30 And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews, to
the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with
words of peace and truth, 31 to confirm these days of Purim at their
appointed time, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had prescribed for them,
and as they had decreed for themselves and their descendants concerning
matters of their fasting and lamenting. 32 So the decree of Esther confirmed
these matters of Purim, and it was written NKJV Esther 10 10:1 And King Ahasuerus imposed
tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea. 2 Now all the acts of his
power and his might, and the account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which
the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of
the kings of Media and Persia? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was second to King
Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of
his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his
countrymen. NKJV |