Chapter Overview
Summary
Haman's rise and the decree against the Jews. The LXX follows the MT's narrative closely but adds theological motivation for Mordecai's refusal to bow: he will not give to a human the honor due to God. The LXX also expands the description of the decree. Addition B (the text of the decree itself) follows 3:13 in the LXX.
Notable Variants
The most significant LXX addition is Mordecai's prayer-like explanation for refusing to bow to Haman, stating that he would gladly kiss Haman's feet for Israel's sake but will not give to a mortal the honor that belongs to God. This transforms a political act into a theological one. Addition B (7 verses) inserts the full text of the anti-Jewish decree after 3:13.
Structural Notes
Both versions have 15 verses. Addition B follows v. 13 in the LXX.
After these events, King Ahasuerus promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, elevating him and placing his seat above all the other officials who served with him.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
All the king's servants at the king's gate would kneel and bow down to Haman, for the king had commanded this regarding him. But Mordecai would not kneel and would not bow down.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
The king's servants at the gate said to Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's command?"
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
When they had spoken to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they reported it to Haman to see whether Mordecai's position would hold, since he had told them he was a Jew.
Masoretic (WLC)
כִּי־הִגִּיד לָהֶם אֲשֶׁר־הוּא יְהוּדִי
for he had told them that he was a Jew
Septuagint (LXX)
LXX: Μαρδοχαῖος γὰρ ἐδήλωσεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι Ιουδαῖός ἐστιν... [expanded]
LXX: 'For Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew [and would not bow because he would not give to a mortal the honor due to God]'
The LXX dramatically expands this verse. In the MT, Mordecai simply reveals he is Jewish. In the LXX, Mordecai explains his theological reasoning: he refuses to bow because he will not give to a human being the glory (doxa) that belongs to God alone. This makes Mordecai's act an expression of monotheistic piety.
When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel or bow to him, Haman was filled with rage.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
But he considered it beneath him to strike at Mordecai alone, since they had told him Mordecai's people. So Haman sought to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire kingdom of Ahasuerus — the people of Mordecai.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
In the first month — the month of Nisan — in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman, from day to day and from month to month, until the twelfth month — the month of Adar.
Masoretic (WLC)
בַּחֹדֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן... הִפִּיל פּוּר הוּא הַגּוֹרָל
he cast Pur — that is, the lot
Septuagint (LXX)
ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ πρώτῳ... ἔβαλεν κλήρους
he cast lots
The MT provides both the Persian word Pur and its Hebrew gloss 'the lot.' The LXX uses only klērous (lots), omitting the Persian term. The LXX also specifies the purpose: 'to destroy the race of Mordecai in one day.' Some LXX manuscripts add specific dates.
Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people, scattered and dispersed among the peoples in every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not observe the king's laws. It is not in the king's interest to tolerate them.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
If it pleases the king, let a decree be written for their destruction. I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry out the work, to be deposited in the king's treasuries."
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
The king removed his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
The king said to Haman, "The silver is yours, and the people too — do with them whatever seems right to you."
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
The king's scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written exactly as Haman dictated — to the king's satraps, to the governors over each province, and to the officials of each people, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king's signet ring.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
Letters were sent by couriers to every province of the king: to annihilate, kill, and destroy all Jews — young and old, children and women — on a single day, the thirteenth of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions.
Masoretic (WLC)
לְהַשְׁמִיד לַהֲרֹג וּלְאַבֵּד
to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate
Septuagint (LXX)
ἀπολέσαι... καὶ τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτῶν προνομεῦσαι
to destroy... and to plunder their possessions
Both versions describe total destruction. The LXX adds plundering explicitly. After this verse, the LXX inserts Addition B — the full text of the king's decree in seven verses. See addition-B.json.
A copy of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and published to all peoples, so that they would be ready for that day.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
The couriers went out in urgent haste by the king's command, and the decree was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in turmoil.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.