The Skeptics Annotated Bible (414 page)

13
Then thus came every maiden unto the king
; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.

(2.12-13)
“When every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women … Then thus came every maiden unto the king.”
Since women are inherently dirty, Esther must be “purified” for twelve months before she can be made queen.

14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17 And
the king loved Esther above all the women
, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight
more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

(2.15-17) “When the turn of Esther … was come to go in unto the king … the king loved Esther above all the women … more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”

18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.

19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.

20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

(2.21-23) With nothing more than suspicion and hearsay, Esther has two men hanged (after a brief inquisition).

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate,
two of the king’s chamberlains
, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and
sought to lay hand on the king
Ahasuerus.

(2.21)
“Two of the king’s chamberlains … sought to lay hands on the king.”

22
And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king
thereof in Mordecai’s name.

(2.22)
“And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king.”

23 And
when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree:
and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

(2.23)
“When inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree.”

3
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.

(3.1)
“Haman … the Agagite”
183 Was Haman an Agagite?

(3.2-9) Because Mordecai (who was a Jew) refuesed to bow to Haman, Haman decides to kill every Jew in the Persian Empire, offering to pay 10,000 talents of silver (~300,000 kg) to get the job done.

2 And
all the king’s servants
, that were in the king’s gate,
bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed no
t, nor did him reverence.

(3.2)
“All the king’s servants … bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not.”

3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?

4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

5 And
when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath
.

6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai:
wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom
of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

(3.5-6)
“When Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath … Wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom.”

7 In the first month, that 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, that is, the month Adar.

8 And
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.

9 If it please the king,
let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver
to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.

(3.8-9) “Haman said unto king Ahasuerus … let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver.”

10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.

11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

12 Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring.

13 And the
letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, 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.

(3.13) “Letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, 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.” The king sent out a decree to all the provinces declaring a kingdom-wide Kill-the-Jews day. It was to take place on the 13th day of the 12th month.

14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

4
When Mordecai perceived all that was done,
Mordecai rent his clothes
, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

(4.1) “Mordecai rent his clothes.”

2 And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.

3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.