Haman is called the enemy of the Jews
four times in the book of Esther (Esther 3:10; Esther 8:1; Esther 9:10; Esther 9:24). He is described as hating the Jewish people even more than he hated Mordecai personally.
It is possible that Haman and Mordecai already knew each other before the events in the book began. Perhaps Mordecai had once been passed over when Haman was promoted to a high position. Later, after Haman’s fall, Mordecai took over Haman’s place of authority.
Because Haman’s sons also tried to destroy the Jews, it seems that his whole family shared the same deep hatred toward them. This helps explain why Zeresh, Haman’s wife, and his advisers said that Haman would fall before Mordecai, because he is one of the Jews
(Esther 6:13).
It also shows why Mordecai warned Esther not to tell anyone she was Jewish (Esther 2:10, Esther 2:20) and why he refused to bow down to Haman. When Haman saw Mordecai’s refusal, his violent anger and plan to destroy all the Jews (Esther 3:8–9) came from his deep hatred and prejudice against them.
Haman is called the enemy
(or hater
) of the Jews four times in the book of Esther (Esther 3:10; Esther 8:1; Esther 9:10, Esther 9:24). This characterizes him more than "the hater of Mordecai.” Was he already a strong opponent of the Jewish people when he was appointed? Haman and Mordecai probably knew each other long before the events in the book of Esther. We do not know which factors played a role in Haman's rise to power. Was Mordecai passed over in this regard? It is striking that after Haman's fall, Mordecai took his place and became a powerful chancellor.
According to Esther 9:7–13, Haman's ten sons were among those who aimed to exterminate the Jews. The high-ranking family was united in this plot and would have played a leading role in carrying out Haman's edict. It is therefore probable to regard Haman as the leader of an anti-Jewish party that had come to power. This makes the words of Zeresh and Haman's counsellors more understandable: it was about the Jewish people (Esther 6:13). Then Mordecai's instruction is also understandable that Esther was initially not allowed to reveal her origin (Esther 2:10, Esther 2:20). He may have anticipated problems with this declaration. Furthermore, Mordecai's conduct in refusing to pay honour and respect to Haman can be understood. Haman's exaggerated reaction to Mordecai's refusal and his desire to destroy the entire Jewish people can also be explained in this way.
Although there are some uncertain elements in this reconstruction, it does explain various aspects of the events.1
1 Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces,