## Esther Chapter 3

###### Esther 3:1
[Esther 3:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:1)

אַחַ֣ר**׀** הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה גִּדַּל֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֜וֹשׁ אֶת־הָמָ֧ן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֛תָא הָאֲגָגִ֖י וַֽיְנַשְּׂאֵ֑הוּ וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙ אֶת־כִּסְא֔וֹ מֵעַ֕ל כׇּל־הַשָּׂרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּֽוֹ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
After these events, King Achashverosh conferred eminence on Haman, the son of Hamdasa, the Agagite, and exalted him, placing his seat of office above all of his fellow ministers.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
After these things king Aĥashverosh promoted Haman the son of Hammedata the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
After these things [(i.e., after this "cure" having been created for the salvation of Israel)], King Achashverosh elevated Haman [(the "malady" for which the "cure" was pre-created)], the son of Hamdatha, the Agagite, and he exalted him, and he placed his seat above (that of) all the officers that were with him.

**Emoji Megillah:**
After these things king 🤴🏽 promoted 👺 the son of Hammedata the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.


###### Esther 3:2
[Esther 3:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:2)

וְכׇל־עַבְדֵ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ כֹּרְעִ֤ים וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִים֙ לְהָמָ֔ן כִּי־כֵ֖ן צִוָּה־ל֣וֹ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וּמׇ֨רְדֳּכַ֔י לֹ֥א יִכְרַ֖ע וְלֹ֥א יִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶֽה׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
And all of the king’s servants who were at the gateway to the king kneeled and prostrated themselves before Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him—but Mordechai would neither kneel nor prostrate himself.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And all the king’s servants, who were in the king’s gate, bowed, and did obeisance to Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordokhay did not bow, or do him obeisance.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And all the servants of the king, who were in the king's gate, bowed down and prostrated themselves to Haman, for thus had the king decreed for him [(Haman having declared himself a god)], wherefore Mordecai would not bow down and would not prostrate himself.

**Emoji Megillah:**
And all the king’s servants, who were in the king’s ⛩️, 🙇🏽, and did obeisance to 👺: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But 👳🏽‍♂️ did not bow, or do him obeisance.


###### Esther 3:3
[Esther 3:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:3)

וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ עַבְדֵ֥י הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ לְמׇרְדֳּכָ֑י מַדּ֙וּעַ֙ אַתָּ֣ה עוֹבֵ֔ר אֵ֖ת מִצְוַ֥ת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
Said the king’s servants who were at the gateway of the king to Mordechai, “Why are you flouting the king’s command?”

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
Then the king’s servants, who were in the king’s gate, said to Mordokhay, Why dost thou transgress the king’s commandment?

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the servants of the king in the king's gate said to Mordecai: Why do you transgress the king's command?

**Emoji Megillah:**
Then the king’s servants, who were in the king’s ⛩️, said to 👳🏽‍♂️, ⁉️ dost thou transgress the king’s commandment?


###### Esther 3:4
[Esther 3:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:4)

וַיְהִ֗י (באמרם) [כְּאׇמְרָ֤ם] אֵלָיו֙ י֣וֹם וָי֔וֹם וְלֹ֥א שָׁמַ֖ע אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לְהָמָ֗ן לִרְאוֹת֙ הֲיַֽעַמְדוּ֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י מׇרְדֳּכַ֔י כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥יד לָהֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־ה֥וּא יְהוּדִֽי׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
It happened that, when they spoke to him daily, and he paid them no heed, they informed Haman, to see whether Mordechai’s avowal would be sustained—for he told them that he was a Yehudi.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he did not hearken to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordokhay’s words would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And it was, as they said (it) to him day by day, and he would not pay heed to them, that they told it to Haman, to see if the words of Mordecai [(that, being a Jew, he would never bow down)] would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.

**Emoji Megillah:**
Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he did not hearken to them, that they told 👺, to see whether 👳🏽‍♂️’s words would stand: for he had told them that he was a ✡️.


###### Esther 3:5
[Esther 3:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:5)

וַיַּ֣רְא הָמָ֔ן כִּי־אֵ֣ין מׇרְדֳּכַ֔י כֹּרֵ֥עַ וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה ל֑וֹ וַיִּמָּלֵ֥א הָמָ֖ן חֵמָֽה׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
Haman then observed that Mordechai neither kneeled nor prostrated himself before him, and Haman was totally incensed.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And when Haman saw that Mordokhay did not bow or do him obeisance, then Haman was full of wrath.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down and prostrate himself to him, and Haman was filled with wrath.

**Emoji Megillah:**
And when 👺 saw that 👳🏽‍♂️ did not bow or do him obeisance, then 👺 was full of wrath.


###### Esther 3:6
[Esther 3:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:6)

וַיִּ֣בֶז בְּעֵינָ֗יו לִשְׁלֹ֤חַ יָד֙ בְּמׇרְדֳּכַ֣י לְבַדּ֔וֹ כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥ידוּ ל֖וֹ אֶת־עַ֣ם מׇרְדֳּכָ֑י וַיְבַקֵּ֣שׁ הָמָ֗ן לְהַשְׁמִ֧יד אֶת־כׇּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֛ר בְּכׇל־מַלְכ֥וּת אֲחַשְׁוֵר֖וֹשׁ עַ֥ם מׇרְדֳּכָֽי׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
But it was demeaning, in his view, to strike at Mordechai alone, for he was informed of [the identity of] Mordechai’s people. Haman sought to destroy all the Yehudim throughout Achashverosh’s realm—Mordechai’s people.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
But he disdained to lay hands on Mordokhay alone; for they had told him the people of Mordokhay: so that Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Aĥashverosh, the people of Mordokhay.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And it was demeaning in his eyes to send forth his hand against Mordecai alone, for they had told him (of) the people of Mordecai; and Haman sought to destroy all the Jews in the entire kingdom of Achashverosh, the people of Mordecai.

**Emoji Megillah:**
But he disdained to lay ✋ on 👳🏽‍♂️ alone; for they had told him the people of 👳🏽‍♂️: so that 👺 sought to destroy all the ✡️ who were throughout the whole kingdom of 🤴🏽, the people of 👳🏽‍♂️.


###### Esther 3:7
[Esther 3:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:7)

בַּחֹ֤דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן֙ הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ נִיסָ֔ן בִּשְׁנַת֙ שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ הִפִּ֣יל פּוּר֩ ה֨וּא הַגּוֹרָ֜ל לִפְנֵ֣י הָמָ֗ן מִיּ֧וֹם׀לְי֛וֹם וּמֵחֹ֛דֶשׁ לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר הוּא־חֹ֥דֶשׁ אֲדָֽר׃{ס}

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, during King Achashverosh’s twelfth year, a “pur”, meaning “lot”, was cast in the presence of Haman, for a specific day, and, specifically, the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Aĥashverosh, 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.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
In the first month, the month of Nissan, in the twelfth year of King Achashverosh, he [i.e., he whose function it was] cast the pur — that is, the lot — before Haman [(to determine which day would be most propitious for his undertaking)], from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, the month of Adar.

**Emoji Megillah:**
In the 1️⃣ 🌜, that is, the 🌜 Nisan, in the twelfth year of king 🤴🏽, they cast 🗳️, that is, the lot, before 👺 from day to day, and from 🌜 to 🌜, to the twelfth 🌜, that is, the 🌜 Adar.


###### Esther 3:8
[Esther 3:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:8)

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הָמָן֙ לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ יֶשְׁנ֣וֹ עַם־אֶחָ֗ד מְפֻזָּ֤ר וּמְפֹרָד֙ בֵּ֣ין הָֽעַמִּ֔ים בְּכֹ֖ל מְדִינ֣וֹת מַלְכוּתֶ֑ךָ וְדָתֵיהֶ֞ם שֹׁנ֣וֹת מִכׇּל־עָ֗ם וְאֶת־דָּתֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֵינָ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים וְלַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֵין־שֹׁוֶ֖ה לְהַנִּיחָֽם׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
Haman then said to King Achashverosh: “There exists a particular people, far-flung, widespread among the peoples in all the colonies of your realm. Their customs differ from those of all peoples, and they do not abide by his majesty’s bylaws; his majesty has nothing to gain by tolerating them.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And Haman said to king Aĥashverosh, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are different from all people; nor do they keep the king’s laws: therefore it is of no benefit to the king to tolerate them.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And Haman said to King Achashverosh: There is one people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; and their ordinances are different from (those of) any people, and the ordinances of the king, they do not observe [i.e., they do not pay taxes], and the king gains nothing by abiding them.

**Emoji Megillah:**
And 👺 said to king 🤴🏽, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are different from all people; nor do they keep the king’s laws: therefore it is of no benefit to the king to tolerate them.


###### Esther 3:9
[Esther 3:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:9)

אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב יִכָּתֵ֖ב לְאַבְּדָ֑ם וַעֲשֶׂ֨רֶת אֲלָפִ֜ים כִּכַּר־כֶּ֗סֶף אֶשְׁקוֹל֙ עַל־יְדֵי֙ עֹשֵׂ֣י הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה לְהָבִ֖יא אֶל־גִּנְזֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
If his majesty deems it proper, let it be inscribed that they are to be exterminated. And I shall weigh out ten thousand silver kikars under the auspices of the executive staff, to be deposited in the royal coffers.”

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will weigh out ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
If it pleases the king, let it be written [i.e., let letters be written to the princes of the provinces] to destroy them, and ten thousand talents of silver will I deposit with the doers of the work to bring to the treasuries of the king.

**Emoji Megillah:**
If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will weigh out 🔟 thousand talents of silver into the ✋ of those who have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.


###### Esther 3:10
[Esther 3:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:10)

וַיָּ֧סַר הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶת־טַבַּעְתּ֖וֹ מֵעַ֣ל יָד֑וֹ וַֽיִּתְּנָ֗הּ לְהָמָ֧ן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֛תָא הָאֲגָגִ֖י צֹרֵ֥ר הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
The king removed his ring from his hand, and presented it to Haman the son of Hamdasa the Agagite, oppressor of the Yehudim.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedata the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the king removed his ring from his hand, and he gave it to Haman the son of Hamdatha, the Agagi, oppressor of the Jews.

**Emoji Megillah:**
And the king took his 💍 from his ✋, and gave it to 👺 the son of Hammedata the Agagite, the enemy of the ✡️.


###### Esther 3:11
[Esther 3:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:11)

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ לְהָמָ֔ן הַכֶּ֖סֶף נָת֣וּן לָ֑ךְ וְהָעָ֕ם לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת בּ֖וֹ כַּטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
And the king said to Haman, “Keep the silver and do as you wish with the[se] people.”

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And the king said to Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to thee.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the king said to Haman: The silver is given to you, and the people, to do with it as you wish.

**Emoji Megillah:**
And the king said to 👺, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seems 👍 to thee.


###### Esther 3:12
[Esther 3:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:12)

וַיִּקָּרְאוּ֩ סֹפְרֵ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֣ר יוֹם֮ בּוֹ֒ וַיִּכָּתֵ֣ב כְּֽכׇל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה הָמָ֡ן אֶ֣ל אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנֵֽי־הַ֠מֶּ֠לֶךְ וְֽאֶל־הַפַּח֞וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר**׀** עַל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֗ה וְאֶל־שָׂ֤רֵי עַם֙ וָעָ֔ם מְדִינָ֤ה וּמְדִינָה֙ כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ וְעַ֥ם וָעָ֖ם כִּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ בְּשֵׁ֨ם הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹשׁ֙ נִכְתָּ֔ב וְנֶחְתָּ֖ם בְּטַבַּ֥עַת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
The royal scribes were then summoned, during the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month, and transcripts were made of all of Haman’s directives, to the imperial envoys, to the governors of each of the colonies, and to the ministers of each people, each and every colony in its own script, each and every people in its own language; it was written in King Achashverosh’s name and sealed with the royal ring.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
Then the king’s scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written according to all that Haman had commanded to the king’s satraps, and to the governors who were over every province, and to the rulers of every people; to every province according to its writing, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Aĥashverosh was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the scribes of the king were called on the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof, and it was written according to all that Haman had commanded to the satraps of the king and to the governors of each province and to the princes of each people; each province according to its script, and each people according to its tongue. In the name of King Achashverosh was it written, and it was sealed with the king's ring.

**Emoji Megillah:**
Then the king’s scribes were 🗣️ on the thirteenth day of the 1️⃣ 🌜, and it was written according to all that 👺 had commanded to the king’s satraps, and to the governors who were over every province, and to the rulers of every people; to every province according to its 📝, and to every people after their language; in the name of king 🤴🏽 was it written, and sealed with the king’s 💍.


###### Esther 3:13
[Esther 3:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:13)

וְנִשְׁל֨וֹחַ סְפָרִ֜ים בְּיַ֣ד הָרָצִים֮ אֶל־כׇּל־מְדִינ֣וֹת הַמֶּ֒לֶךְ֒ לְהַשְׁמִ֡יד לַהֲרֹ֣ג וּלְאַבֵּ֣ד אֶת־כׇּל־הַ֠יְּהוּדִ֠ים מִנַּ֨עַר וְעַד־זָקֵ֜ן טַ֤ף וְנָשִׁים֙ בְּי֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֑ר וּשְׁלָלָ֖ם לָבֽוֹז׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
So that scrolls would be dispatched, carried by couriers, to all of the king’s colonies; to devastate, slaughter, and annihilate all the Yehudim, young and old, children, women, in a single day—on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar—with their booty to be despoiled.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And the letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, namely, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for plunder.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces; to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all of the Jews, young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their spoils.

**Emoji Megillah:**
And the 📜 were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate, all ✡️, both young and old, little children and women, in 1️⃣ day, namely, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth 🌜, which is the 🌜 Adar, and to take the spoil of them for plunder.


###### Esther 3:14
[Esther 3:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:14)

פַּתְשֶׁ֣גֶן הַכְּתָ֗ב לְהִנָּ֤תֵֽן דָּת֙ בְּכׇל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֔ה גָּל֖וּי לְכׇל־הָֽעַמִּ֑ים לִהְי֥וֹת עֲתִדִ֖ים לַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
The terms of the writ would become legally binding in each and every colony—displayed conspicuously before all the peoples, so that they would be poised on that day.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
The copy of the writing, to be given out as a law in every province, was published to all the peoples, that they might be ready for that day.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
The burden of the letter — that it be promulgated in every province, (and made) manifest to all the peoples, to be in readiness for this day.

**Emoji Megillah:**
The copy of the 📝, to be given out as a law in every province, was published to all the peoples, that they might be ready for that day.


###### Esther 3:15
[Esther 3:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/3:15)

הָֽרָצִ֞ים יָצְא֤וּ דְחוּפִים֙ בִּדְבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְהַדָּ֥ת נִתְּנָ֖ה בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֑ה וְהַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְהָמָן֙ יָשְׁב֣וּ לִשְׁתּ֔וֹת וְהָעִ֥יר שׁוּשָׁ֖ן נָבֽוֹכָה׃{ס}

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
The couriers were dispatched by urgent royal command, and the decree was delivered in the capital city of Shushan. The king and Haman then sat down for drinks, while the city of Shushan was in confusion.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
The couriers went out in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the capital. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was in consternation.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
The couriers rushed out at the king's word, and the ordinance [(to be in readiness for the thirteenth of Adar)] was proclaimed [(on that day)] in Shushan, the capital, and the king and Haman sat down to drink, and the [Jews of the] city of Shushan desponded.

**Emoji Megillah:**
The couriers went out in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the 🏛️. And the king and 👺 sat down to 🥂; but the 🏙️ of Shushan was in consternation.