Bible Commentary

Esther 3:1

The Pulpit Commentary on Esther 3:1

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

After these things. Probably some years after—about b.c. 476 or 475. Haman, the son of Hammedatha. "Haman" is perhaps Umanish, the Persian equivalent of the Greek Eumenes. "Hammedatha" has been explained as "given by the moon" (Mahadata), the initial h being regarded as the Hebrew article.

But this mixture of languages is not probable. The Agagite. The Septuagint has βουγαῖος, "the Bugaean." Both terms are equally inexplicable, with our present knowledge; but most probably the term used was a local one, marking the place of Haman's birth or bringing up.

A reference to descent from the Amalekite king Agag (Joseph; 'Ant. Jud.,' 11.6, § 5) is scarcely possible.

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