Abstract

The Midrashic literature and biblical translations focus majorly on the verses that describe the gathering in Haman’s house and the preparing of the gallows for Mordechai the Jew (Es 5:14). The goal of this study is to discuss the narrative shaped by the Targum and Midrashic sources and to examine both the realistic domain concerning methods of punishment that were suggested and the theological–educational meaning of the punishment and the type of tree chosen. Targum Rishon develops the contents of the conversation in Haman’s house as to how Mordechai should be executed. While according to the text, the suggestion to hang Mordechai appears to have been the only method agreed upon by all those present at the meeting, Targum Rishon includes several forms of killing and torture that were proposed and considered. While Targum Rishon presents the theological meaning of the choice to kill Mordechai specifically by hanging him from a gallows, a Midrash aggadah attempts to clarify the species of the tree used to prepare Mordechai’s gallows and comes to the surprising conclusion that it was a type of thorn tree. Regarding Haman’s search for a suitable beam on which to hang Mordechai, Midrash Abba Gorion relates that the beam was found in the king’s palace or, according to another opinion, the sawed beam found originated from Noah’s ark.Contribution: The Midrashic sources portray an entire scene that includes discourse, deliberations and choice in Haman’s house and in heaven. It seems that the authors of the Midrash and the Targum not only clarify the text and complement the story by adding missing realistic details, they also enrich the text with new meanings that serve their theological concepts.

Highlights

  • The Book of Esther is a short historical novella on the persecution and salvation from annihilation of the Jews who lived in the Persian kingdom during the reign of King Ahasuerus.According to the narrative, Haman the Agagite was appointed as the king’s second-in-command and received much honour and esteem in Ahasuerus’ palace (Es 3:1)

  • The description of Haman’s grief and desperation further on in the plot (Es 6:12–13), side by side with the description of his execution on the very gallows he himself had prepared for Mordechai (Es 7:9–10), contrast symmetrically with the current description of his wealth and success

  • The exegetist portrayed a series of failed attempts to punish individual figures or collectives, as described in biblical stories or in rabbinical interpretations of biblical stories. Haman and his supporters are allegedly aware of the spiritual power of the Jewish righteous people and the protection they are granted (‘If he is one of the righteous people that were created in the world’), and they assume that if Mordechai is righteous, he might be granted a miracle of salvation

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Summary

Introduction

The Book of Esther is a short historical novella on the persecution and salvation from annihilation of the Jews who lived in the Persian kingdom during the reign of King Ahasuerus (on the various opinions concerning the historicity of the Book of Esther, see Middlemas 2011:145–163; Paton 1908:64–77; Weiland 2002:151–165). We should prepare for him a large cross-shaped gallows and his blood will be spilled on the door to his house His body will be displayed on the cross and all the Jews and his friends and loved ones will see it [...] and Haman son of Hamdata did not sleep until he had gone and brought carpenters and hewers [of wood for preparing the fire to make the knife]. The exegetist portrayed a series of failed attempts to punish individual figures or collectives, as described in biblical stories or in rabbinical interpretations of biblical stories Haman and his supporters are allegedly aware of the spiritual power of the Jewish righteous people and the protection they are granted (‘If he is one of the righteous people that were created in the world’), and they assume that if Mordechai is righteous, he might be granted a miracle of salvation. As perceived by the exegetist, any event, victory or evasion by Jews that includes an element resembling the punishment method discussed would justify Haman’s avoidance of its use

Killing with a coppery vessel
Throwing before dogs
Banishing to the desert
Prison
10. Slaughtering
11. Blinding
The Israelites’ adherence to the Torah and to the religious precepts
Discussion and conclusions
Data availability statement
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