ESTHER 3

HAMAN PLOTS TO ERADICATE THE ISRAELITES

King Xerxes elevates a man named Haman to a high position of power within the Persian kingdom. Haman is an Agagite, a descendent of the Canaanites, one of Israel’s greatest enemies.

All of the king’s servants bow down and kneel before Haman, but Mordecai refuses. Haman is furious that Mordecai, an Israelite, resists to honor his official role. Highlighting the racial tension in Persia, Haman makes a decree to kill all of the Israelites in Persia. Haman is not content with hurting Mordecai alone, he wants to wipe out the entire people group.

Haman chooses the date of the Israelite execution by casting lots or rolling dice, referred to as Pur, the Hebrew word for dice. The day before the annual Passover celebration, the Israelite people received the terrible news that they would face mass execution.