This verse from Esther 4:7 is part of the lead-up to Esther's brave decision to intervene with the king to save the Jewish people. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Mordecai told him of all that had happened to him..." This refers to Mordecai informing Hathach, Esther's servant, about the dire situation. Specifically, he's explaining Haman's plot to annihilate all the Jews in the Persian Empire and the distress Mordecai is experiencing as a result (including his mourning attire, as mentioned in previous verses).
"...and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews." This is a crucial detail. Mordecai is emphasizing the financial incentive behind Haman's genocidal plan. Haman, a high-ranking official, had offered King Ahasuerus a substantial amount of money to gain the king's permission to destroy the Jews. This highlights:
Haman's wealth and power: He could afford to offer such a large sum.
The king's potential indifference: The king was willing to consider a decree leading to genocide, seemingly motivated (at least in part) by the lure of financial gain. It suggests the king might not fully grasp or care about the implications of his decision or the value of the lives at stake.
The transaction-like nature of the injustice: Haman essentially "bought" the right to destroy a whole people. This makes the injustice even more appalling.
A deeper understanding of Haman's plan: This indicates a formal plan was made with a financial transaction as a key part of it. It wasn't just a spur of the moment angry outburst.
In summary, this verse reveals the full extent of Haman's scheme and the king's complicity (whether active or passive). Mordecai is providing Hathach with all the information necessary to understand the gravity of the situation so that Hathach can accurately relay the information to Esther, motivating her to act. The detail about the money underscores the corrupt and mercenary nature of the plot, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
This verse from Esther 4:7 is part of the lead-up to Esther's brave decision to intervene with the king to save the Jewish people. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Mordecai told him of all that had happened to him..." This refers to Mordecai informing Hathach, Esther's servant, about the dire situation. Specifically, he's explaining Haman's plot to annihilate all the Jews in the Persian Empire and the distress Mordecai is experiencing as a result (including his mourning attire, as mentioned in previous verses).
"...and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews." This is a crucial detail. Mordecai is emphasizing the financial incentive behind Haman's genocidal plan. Haman, a high-ranking official, had offered King Ahasuerus a substantial amount of money to gain the king's permission to destroy the Jews. This highlights:
Haman's wealth and power: He could afford to offer such a large sum.
The king's potential indifference: The king was willing to consider a decree leading to genocide, seemingly motivated (at least in part) by the lure of financial gain. It suggests the king might not fully grasp or care about the implications of his decision or the value of the lives at stake.
The transaction-like nature of the injustice: Haman essentially "bought" the right to destroy a whole people. This makes the injustice even more appalling.
A deeper understanding of Haman's plan: This indicates a formal plan was made with a financial transaction as a key part of it. It wasn't just a spur of the moment angry outburst.
In summary, this verse reveals the full extent of Haman's scheme and the king's complicity (whether active or passive). Mordecai is providing Hathach with all the information necessary to understand the gravity of the situation so that Hathach can accurately relay the information to Esther, motivating her to act. The detail about the money underscores the corrupt and mercenary nature of the plot, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.