Est 3:10 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Esth 3:10-11: 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 of public appearance the king pretended not to be interested in the money, but in reality he was.

a3:10-11►

fGen 23:10-16►

‏ Esther 3:10

Summary for Esth 3:10-11: 3:10-11 ^a 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 ^b; 9:10 ^c, 24 ^d).

• The money and the people are both yours: It may appear that the king did not want the bribe, but 4:7 ^e 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 ^f). For the sake of public appearance the king pretended not to be interested in the money, but in reality he was.