Achashverosh's Shock and Fury/2
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Achashverosh's Surprise
Exegetical Approaches
Unaware and Fickle
Achashverosh had been unaware of Esther's Jewish identity, and being both drunk and foolish, did not immediately make the connection to Haman's edict.
Haman's request – This position assumes that Haman was upfront when discussing his plan to annihilate the Jewish people and that Achasherosh knew from the beginning both which nation was referred to and what haman planned to do them.
10,000 pieces of gold
How did Esther hide her identity?
Honor to Mordechai
Significance to hanging?
Esther's tactics
Misled by Haman
Achashverosh had been deceived by Haman, who had hidden the identity of the nation he was planning on destroying and/or misled him regarding what he intended to do to that nation. Thus, it was with Esther's comment that Achashverosh first realized that Haman planned to annihilate the Jews.
Haman's request - "יֶשְׁנוֹ עַם אֶחָד" – These commentators point out that throughout Haman's speech he never mentions which nation it is that he is referring to, and only explains why they are problematic. Achashverosh, either due to trust in his closest adviser,1 or from pure stupidity,2 does not ask questions and just gives his stamp of authority.
Haman's request - "יִכָּתֵב לְאַבְּדָם" – According to most of these commentators, Haman was purposefully ambiguous in choosing the language of "לְאַבְּדָם", a word which can sustain more than one meaning. They differ, though, in
10,000 pieces of gold
Different letters
Did Achashverosh know Esther was Jewish?
Honor to Mordechai
Mordechai's report
Esther's tactics - "וְאִלּוּ לַעֲבָדִים וְלִשְׁפָחוֹת נִמְכַּרְנוּ הֶחֱרַשְׁתִּי"
Significance to hanging?
Biblical Parallels
Playing Innocent
Achashverosh immediately understood that Esther was referring to Haman's plan which he himself had approved, but he feigned innocence so as to cast the blame solely on Haman.
