Esther 3:8
What does Esther 3:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 3:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 3:8 means
Haman approaches the king with a carefully framed accusation: a certain people are scattered, have distinct laws, do not keep the king’s laws, and therefore threaten the king’s profit. He withholds their name, making the charge seem objective. He casts difference as danger and loyalty to God’s law as disloyalty to the throne. His rhetoric blends truth (the Jews’ distinctiveness) with falsehood (that they do not keep the king’s laws), aiming to stir fear for imperial order. By appealing to profit, he targets the king’s concern for stability and revenue. It is manipulation designed to secure permission without scrutiny.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Haman said to King Ahasuerus, There is a certain nation living here and there in small groups among the people in all the divisions of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of any other nation, and they do not keep the king's laws: for this reason it is not right for the king to let them be.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Haman saith to the king Ahasuerus, `There is one people scattered and separated among the peoples, in all provinces of thy kingdom, and their laws <FI>are<Fi> diverse from all people, and the laws of the king they are not doing, and for the king it is not profitable to suffer them;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Aman said to king Assuerus: There is a people scattered through all the provinces of thy kingdom, and separated one from another, that use new laws and ceremonies, and moreover despise the king's ordinances: and thou knowest very well that it is not expedient for thy kingdom that they should grow insolent by impunity.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Haman said to king Ahasuerus, There is a people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from [those of] every people, and they keep not the king's laws; and it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.
Context
This follows the selection of a day by lot (v. 7) and begins Haman’s political campaign to authorize his plan. Verse 9 will show him offering a massive payment to ensure the king’s favor. The king does not ask who the people are or whether the claims are tested, highlighting his detachment. The narrative pivots from Haman’s hatred to royal complicity through deception.
v.7In the first month, which 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, which is the month Adar.
v.8This passage
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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- James 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion, greeting.
- Acts 16:20
and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
- Acts 28:22
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.
- Leviticus 26:33
And you will I scatter among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you: and your land shall be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste.
- Nehemiah 1:8
Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye trespass, I will scatter you abroad among the peoples:
- 1 Peter 1:1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,