Esther 8 3

Esther 8:3 kjv

And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.

Esther 8:3 nkjv

Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell down at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme which he had devised against the Jews.

Esther 8:3 niv

Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews.

Esther 8:3 esv

Then Esther spoke again to the king. She fell at his feet and wept and pleaded with him to avert the evil plan of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews.

Esther 8:3 nlt

Then Esther went again before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised by Haman the Agagite against the Jews.

Esther 8 verses

Esther 8 3 Meaning

Esther 8:3 describes Queen Esther's renewed, passionate appeal to King Ahasuerus to nullify the devastating decree Haman had enacted against the Jewish people. After Haman's execution, Esther realized that while the instigator was gone, his wicked edict, sealed by the king's own ring, remained active and posed an imminent threat of genocide. Her actions—falling at his feet, weeping, and pleading—demonstrate deep distress, complete humility, and desperate intercession on behalf of her people. She sought to avert the very real and impending danger of Haman's pre-meditated plot against the Jews.

Esther 8 3 Context

Esther chapter 8 immediately follows the dramatic execution of Haman. Despite the demise of the perpetrator, Haman's evil decree (Esth 3:13) empowering the empire's populace to annihilate the Jews remained legally binding throughout King Ahasuerus's 127 provinces. This decree, sealed with the king's signet ring, was, according to Persian law (Esth 1:19; Dan 6:8, 12, 15), irrevocable. Esther’s first courageous approach to the king (Esth 5:1-2) secured Haman's exposure and downfall, but not the reversal of his law. This verse shows Esther understanding the critical need to address the law itself, even after her personal foe was removed. The fate of her people hung in the balance, pushing her to make an even more urgent and emotionally charged appeal. Historically, Ahasuerus is commonly identified with Xerxes I (486-465 BC), ruling a vast empire, where a king's word, once declared and sealed, possessed immense authority, highlighting the challenge Esther faced.

Esther 8 3 Word analysis

• Then Esther spoke again:
  • This implies a previous interaction. Esther had already gained favor (Esth 5:2) and hosted banquets (Esth 5, 7). Her speaking "again" (Hebrew: vatosef...vatdabber, lit. "she added and spoke") signals persistent courage and continued advocacy. She recognized the threat wasn't fully averted with Haman's death.
• and fell down at his feet:
  • This physical posture (Hebrew: vattipol lifnei raglaw) signifies utmost humility, profound respect, complete submission, and desperate supplication. It conveyed her utter powerlessness and total reliance on the king's mercy and authority. It is a posture of profound distress and appeal, beyond mere etiquette.
• and wept:
  • Tears communicate deep emotional anguish (Hebrew: vattibkeh). This was not a calculated move, but an authentic outpouring of grief and distress over the imminent destruction of her people. It appeals to the king's compassion, making her request undeniable in its sincerity.
• and pleaded with him:
  • To plead (Hebrew: vattitchanen lo) implies a strong, earnest request for favor, mercy, or grace. It's a humble entreaty, not a demand, seeking to persuade the king by appealing to his sense of justice and humanity.
• to avert the evil scheme:
  • "Avert" (Hebrew: leha'avir, "to cause to pass over/away") means to cause the harm or consequence of the scheme to cease. It recognizes that the decree could not be strictly revoked, but its effect could be nullified. The "evil scheme" (Hebrew: ra'at) refers to the wicked intention and destructive outcome.
• of Haman the Agagite:
  • Identifying Haman as "the Agagite" is crucial. This refers to his ancestry linked to Agag, king of the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:8). The Amalekites were perpetual enemies of Israel, dating back to their attack on the Israelites in the wilderness (Exod 17:8-16; Deut 25:17-19). This lineage indicates a deeply rooted, ancestral enmity and transforms Haman's plot from a personal vendetta into an existential, national, and even spiritual battle for Israel.
• and his plot:
  • This refers to the premeditated and cunning plan (Hebrew: machashavto, "his thought" or "design") specifically devised for mass destruction. It underscores the malicious intent behind the decree.
• that he had devised against the Jews:
  • This phrase emphasizes the target of the plot: the entire Jewish population (Hebrew: chashav 'al haYehudim). It clearly states the genocidal aim, clarifying the specific threat Esther was risking her life to address.

Esther 8 3 Bonus section

• Esther's continued advocacy here demonstrates that true leadership doesn't end when one's personal position is secure. She remained committed to her people's well-being, pushing for a solution even after Haman's execution had removed her immediate personal threat.
• The tension in this chapter revolves around the irrevocable nature of Persian law. The problem isn't Haman anymore, but the system of law he exploited. The solution must, therefore, be creative: a counter-decree, rather than a reversal. This highlights the practical limitations faced even by powerful kings.
• This verse subtly reinforces the idea of divine providence, even though God is never directly mentioned in Esther. The unfolding events demonstrate a larger force at play, orchestrating the actions of individuals (Esther, Mordecai) and circumstances to bring about deliverance for Israel, despite overwhelming odds and an empire's unchangeable law.

Esther 8 3 Commentary

Esther 8:3 is a pivotal moment, shifting the narrative focus from personal triumph over Haman to national deliverance from his persistent decree. Esther, though now enjoying restored favor and power through Mordecai, could not rest while her people remained condemned to annihilation. Her posture and emotional display — falling, weeping, pleading — demonstrate profound empathy and solidarity with her people. This was not a diplomatic request, but a visceral plea for life itself. By reminding the king that the "evil scheme" was Haman's, not his, she subtly appeals to the king's own sense of honor and suggests a pathway for redress without directly revoking an unchangeable law. The explicit mention of Haman as "the Agagite" underscores the deep-seated spiritual and historical dimension of this conflict; it was the re-emergence of an ancient enemy attempting to fulfill a genocidal agenda against God's chosen people. Esther here embodies selfless leadership and the courage required to confront overwhelming evil, appealing to human authority to reflect divine mercy. Her intercession stands as a powerful model of advocating for the oppressed even when personal safety has been secured.