Esther 3:9-11
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
9 If it please the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them; and I will deliver to the procurators ten thousand silver talents for deposit in the royal treasury.”(A) 10 The king took the signet ring[a] from his hand and gave it to Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.(B) 11 The king said to Haman, “The silver is yours, as well as the people, to do with as you please.”[b]
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- 3:10 Signet ring: a ring containing a seal that was impressed on documents to authenticate them. With this ring, Haman can issue decrees in the king’s name.
- 3:11 Although Ahasuerus seems to refuse the bribe, this is probably a polite way of accepting it that makes him appear munificent (compare Gn 23:11–15, where Ephron tells Abraham that he “gives” him the field and, after a few more pleasantries, sets a very high price for it). Both 4:7 and 7:4 seem to assume Ahasuerus has accepted the money.
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