and Parmashta and Arisai and Aridai and Vaizatha,
These four names close the list of Haman's ten sons, killed on the day that was meant to be the end of the Jews. A list of foreign names looks like a small detail, but commentators read it as the close of a long story that began generations earlier.
Names on a page of judgment
This verse sits inside the record of one day across the Persian empire. One writer gives the numbers from that day.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinThe fateful day, the thirteenth day of Adar, came and with it the retribution for the enemies of the Jews. On that day they gathered together to withstand all who would assault them... In Susa itself 500 were killed, and 300 more in another part of the city. In the provinces 75,000 were killed. The ten sons of Haman were killed too; the text gives their Persian names.
Whose sons they were
These men belong to Haman's household. Commentators trace that household back to Amalek, a people who fought Israel from the start.
H. L. RossierSo in Amalek we are dealing with the enemy of the people of God. Amalek was the first to oppose Israel's march forward, when they came out of Egypt (Ex. 17). Amalek chased Israel without mercy and wiped out the weak and those who fell behind, among a people worn out by crossing the wilderness. Amalek is, in a word, the Enemy — the image of Satan, the great Enemy. He opposes God's purposes of grace toward His people.
The line ends
Haman had already been hanged. With these ten, nothing of him was left to carry the quarrel forward.
C E StuartEsther told Ahasuerus about the plot. The result was the execution of Haman, and of his ten sons with him. It put an end to his race in the direct male line.
One writer lines these deaths up with other pictures of God clearing evil away for good:
J. G. BellettThe children of Judas cut off (Ps. 109). The little ones of Edom dashed against the stones (Ps. 137). Haman's sons, all hanged after him. These pictures teach us the complete downfall and removal of everything that now offends. The broom of divine judgment sweeps it all away.
Why the winners took nothing
The list closes with the note that the Jews took no plunder. Commentators read that restraint in different ways. One sees it as obedience to what God had already laid down about Amalek:
H. L. RossierThe oppressor of the Jews is judged, and his family line with him (vv. 6-10). In the same way the Antichrist and his people, who have turned away from God, will perish in a day still to come, for the hour of vengeance has struck. But the people "laid no hand on the plunder" (vv. 10, 15, 16), in keeping with what God had laid down about Amalek and the enemies of Israel. It is only a matter of carrying out God's judgment, with no profit for those who carry it out.
Another writer offers a practical reason. The Jews likely left the goods alone to avoid false accusations, though the king's decree had allowed them to take the spoil (Gaebelein).
Not a pattern for Christians
Does this scene set a pattern for Christians? One writer answers that such judgment belongs to the day when Christ reigns.
William KellyWhen the Lord Jesus leaves heaven for the earth — when He comes to reign — righteousness will be the character of His kingdom. Terrible things will be done in righteousness, according to Psalm 45. Once this is understood, the execution of the ten sons of Haman is not the smallest difficulty. The Lord will not only strike at the beginning. He will strike again: a thorough clearing out of the adversary, and of all who render only pretended obedience.
The same writer adds that Esther is not a picture of the church: "Carrying out righteous vengeance would be completely at odds with the calling of the Christian" (William Kelly).
Why ten
The number ten has also drawn comment. Writers tie it to the shape of world power at the end of the age, as Daniel saw it.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinThe ten sons of Haman, so fully identified with their wicked father, are also not without meaning. God revealed to Daniel the final form of Gentile government at the close of the age. It consists of ten kingdoms, seen in Nebuchadnezzar's dream image and in Daniel's ten-horned beast, forming the Roman empire once more... The ten sons of Haman and their miserable end are another illustration of prophetic truth.
How the names are still read
The list has kept a distinct place in Jewish practice.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinIn orthodox synagogues, Jews read the book of Esther aloud. They read the names of Haman's ten sons in one breath, as fast as they can. This shows that all of them were wiped out at one and the same moment.
Summary
- Enemy — commentators trace Haman's house to Amalek, the people who attacked Israel first, "the image of Satan"; these ten names are that enemy's household.
- Ending — Haman's death alone did not settle it. With his sons gone, his race ends "in the direct male line."
- Empty-handed — the victors touched no plunder: the work was God's judgment, "with no profit for those who carry it out."
- Era — this is righteousness, not grace. One writer ties it to Christ's coming reign, not to the Christian's calling now.
- Emblem — the number points ahead: ten sons, ten kingdoms, and a "thorough clearing out" of everything that offends.