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Esther 3:10

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Esther 3:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews` enemy.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews` enemy.
Esther 3:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Esther 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
8And 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.
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.
10And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews` enemy.
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.
12Then were the king`s scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof; and there was written according to all that Haman commanded unto the king`s satraps, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was sealed with the king`s ring.
13And letters were sent by posts into all the king`s provinces, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.] As a token of his affection for him, and a mark of honour to him; with the Persians f120 for a king to give a ring to anyone was a token and bond of the greatest love and friendship imaginable; and it may be this was given to Haman, to seal with it the letters that were or should be written, giving order for the destruction of the Jews. It seems as if as yet Esther had not acquainted the king who her kindred and people were; or it can hardly be thought he would have so easily come into such a scheme, or so highly favoured an enemy of her people.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman--There was a seal or signet in the ring. The bestowment of the ring, with the king's name and that of his kingdom engraven on it, was given with much ceremony, and it was equivalent to putting the sign manual to a royal edict.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:10-11 The king agreed with no inquiry. The king is presented as someone very irresponsible and easily manipulated. By removing his signet ring, the king gave up his control over official policies; by giving it to Haman, he signified that Haman had complete authority to seal the decree. • the enemy of the Jews: The narrator’s new title for Haman is an ominous note regarding his power to persecute the Jews (see also 8:1; 9:10, 24). • The money and the people are both yours: It may appear that the king did not want the bribe, but 4:7 suggests that Haman did give the money. The king was following a customary protocol to make the bribe and his greed less obvious (cp. Gen 23:10-16). For the sake…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“took: Est 8:2, Est 8:8; Gen 41:42 enemy: or, oppressor, Est 7:6 Esther 3:11”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification