Abstract
Rereading of Esther 3:8–15 depicts that lawlessness and revolt on the part of the Jewish diaspora community ignited the genocide in the Persian Empire. The narrative is explicit that Haman was not comfortable with two main issues concerning the Jews: (1) their laws were different from those of every other people and (2) they did not keep the king’s laws. In addition, some Jewish individuals were disrespectful to Persian superiors: Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. Following Haman’s report, Emperor Xerxes endorsed the proposition of exterminating the Jews as a possible solution. The present study argues against a populist view that puts Haman in a bad light. Existing studies on the genocide narrative in Esther 3:8–15 appear to sympathise with the Jewish diaspora community in Persia in spite of their attitude that portrayed some rebellious tendencies. Examined from a security and defence perspective, Haman’s position should be given its merit because the Jews disobeyed the Persian laws and did not show respect to the Persian authorities. The study employs a narrative approach to argue that the Jewish diaspora community orchestrated the genocide by disobeying the Persian laws. It is further argued that Haman had correctly foreseen it coming and confided with Emperor Xerxes. The study will also discuss Haman as a strategist who speculated a possible Jewish revolt, which was confirmed by the massacre of 75 000 people including Haman’s children (9:1–10). This study will present to the academic readership a new dimension of reading Esther 3:8–15.Contribution: Previous studies variously provided some magnanimity on the book of Esther. The contribution of the present study to the readership and the academic community seeks to suggest a new reading of the book by arguing that the Jews provoked the Persian authorities by disobeying the laws of the land.
Highlights
In the ancient Near East (ANE) and during biblical times, people used to move from one place to another either to buy food, for trade or as merchants
The present study argued that lawlessness by the Jewish diaspora community triggered genocide in the Persian Empire
It was explored that Israel received from God through Moses at Mount Sinai a set of ceremonial, civil and moral laws by which they were going to live in the Promised Land
Summary
In the ancient Near East (ANE) and during biblical times, people used to move from one place to another either to buy food, for trade or as merchants (cf. Gn 26:3; 37:28; 42:1–3; 1 Ki 5:1–18). According to Haman, the Jews comprised a major part of the population of Persian provinces. It can be speculated that Haman was both a strategist and a political analyst who foresaw the risks that lay ahead when the population of the Jews continued to increase, accompanied by a deliberate ignorance to observe the laws of the Empire. Haman had predicated an uprising by the Jews who adhered to their own laws and not the laws of the empire. In order to survive the Jewish people had to do what Haman intended to befall on them. I read in the narrative of the Jewish people who did not follow the rules of the game by disobeying the laws of Persia, and when the empire applied its laws upon them, they appealed to the divine. I alluded to the Deuteronomistic history (e.g. Adamo 2010:9–27; Römer 2007) that always portrayed the Israelites as superior and victorious over their enemies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
