Esther 9:24

Authorized King James Version

Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּי֩
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
הָמָ֨ן
Because Haman
haman, a persian vizier
#3
בֶּֽן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
הַמְּדָ֜תָא
of Hammedatha
medatha, the father of haman
#5
הָֽאֲגָגִ֗י
H91
the Agagite
an agagite or descendent (subject) of agag
#6
צֹרֵר֙
the enemy
to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
#7
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים
against the Jews
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
#9
חָשַׁ֥ב
had devised
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים
against the Jews
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
#12
וּֽלְאַבְּדָֽם׃
H6
them and to destroy
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
#13
וְהִפִּ֥יל
them and had cast
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#14
פּוּר֙
Pur
a lot (as by means of a broken piece)
#15
ה֣וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#16
הַגּוֹרָ֔ל
that is the lot
properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)
#17
לְהֻמָּ֖ם
to consume
properly, to put in commotion; by implication, to disturb, drive, destroy
#18
וּֽלְאַבְּדָֽם׃
H6
them and to destroy
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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