Esther 3:10
What does Esther 3:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 3:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 3:10 means
Ahasuerus removes his signet ring and gives it to Haman the Agagite, pointedly named “the Jews’ enemy.” The ring symbolizes delegated royal authority: with it, Haman can write and seal laws with the king’s name. The description cements Haman’s identity in the story as the adversary of God’s people. Whether through ignorance or indifference, the king arms a personal foe with imperial power. The state, represented by the signet, now serves private malice. This transfer shows how perilous it is when a ruler entrusts authority without wisdom or accountability, allowing injustice to cloak itself in legality and royal sanction.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the king took his ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the hater of the Jews.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the king turneth aside his signet from off his hand, and giveth it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, adversary of the Jews;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the king took the ring that he used, from his own hand, and gave it to Aman, the son of Amadathi of the race of Agag, the enemy of the Jews.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
Context
This follows Haman’s offer and request (v. 9) and marks the decisive royal assent. With the ring, Haman can proceed without further consultation. Verse 11 will display the king’s sweeping permission regarding people and silver. Then verses 12–14 detail how that authority is implemented, as scribes record and distribute the decree in every language and province.
v.9If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king’s business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.
v.10This passage
v.11And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 3:1
After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
- Genesis 41:42
And Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
- Esther 8:2
And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
- Esther 8:8
Write ye also to the Jews, as it pleaseth you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring; for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.
- Esther 7:6
And Esther said, An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.