Perhaps Haman did not mention the Jews by name since Ahasuerus' predecessors, Cyrus and Darius I (Hystaspes), had issued proclamations favorable to them (Ezra 1:1-4; 6:3-5, 8-12). In any case his failure to mention them by name set him up for Esther's revelation that it was her people whom Haman purposed to destroy (7:4). The Jews did indeed live a separated life, as Haman said (cf. Num. 23:9), but they were not a dangerous, rebellious element within the empire, which he claimed (cf. Jer. 29:7).
The 10,000 talents of silver Haman offered to pay into the king's treasury amounted to about two-thirds of the entire empire's income.63Probably Haman could have afforded to do this because he had plans to confiscate the Jews' possessions (v. 13). Undoubtedly he planned to make a large profit personally as well.
"The planned massacre, gruesome though it was, was not without precedents. In 522 BC, at the time of King Cambyses' death, Smerdis the Magus usurped the throne. When he was put to death in a conspiracy every Persian in the capital took up his weapons and killed every Magus he could find.64If darkness had not put an end to the slaughter, the whole caste would have been exterminated."65
