Ancient Perspectives on Treason and Justice
The Book of Esther from the Apocrypha raises important themes about the punishment of treasonous public servants and the role of the feminine in revealing truth and influencing those in power.
Ancient Lessons in Dealing with Treason
This post explores how ancient kings addressed acts of treason committed by trusted members of their royal courts. The Book of Esther offers a powerful example through the story of Haman, a high-ranking public servant in a position of responsibility who misused his authority to act against the people. Driven by ego and pride, Haman was offended by Mordecai’s refusal to bow to him and sought revenge, not just on Mordecai, but on his entire people across the realm. Filled with anger, he manipulated the truth and deceived the king to serve his evil vendetta.
The Book of Esther offers relevant insights for our times, especially as we are witnessing increasingly unlawful and treasonous abuses of power by our public servants, including councils, courts, police, government officials, and their agents, such as debt collectors and solicitors. Like Haman, many use their position to oppress the people rather than to serve them.
Guided by Esther’s bravery, King Ahasuerus, upon uncovering Haman’s deceit, acts decisively to restore justice. Haman is executed for his treachery, his estate is given to Mordecai as restitution, and the people who were the subject of Haman’s wrath are permitted to kill those who served Haman.
This ancient narrative offers a compelling example of how those who betray the public trust through manipulation, false accusations, or unlawful acts might be held accountable. The book of Esther also reveals how true leaders empower the people to directly deal with those who have oppressed them.
Woman as a Spiritual Redeemer
The prophecy of the Book of Esther is recommended in the book ‘Clothed with the Sun’, a collection of mystical visions and esoteric writings by Anna Bonus Kingsford (1846–1888), a pioneering English mystic, physician, and early advocate of animal rights and women’s spiritual empowerment.
In Chapter No. IX ‘Concerning the Prophecy of the Book of Esther’ she predicts that the future spiritual redeemer of the world will manifest through the feminine principle as a woman. She invites the reader to discover more about this by reading the Book of Esther, which is included in the Apocrypha; a book of ancient religious texts written between the Old and New Testaments around 400 BCE to 100 CE that is usually excluded from Protestant Bibles. Many ancient texts have been concealed from the public because of the powerful truths they contain, because those in control of the system are in fear that the people will be empowered.
In this Chapter, Kingsford introduces The Book of Esther, from the Apocrypha, as a mystic prophecy written in the form of actual history.
This book starts with Queen Vasthi being deposed from her Royal seat for being disobedient to King Ahasuerus, creating a need to find a new Queen who ends up being Esther.
She explains that Mordecai, Esther’s guardian, represents the spirit of intuitive reason and understanding and Mordecai’s enemy, Haman, represents the spirit of materialism.
Kingsford summarises the plot as follows: Esther, under the care and tuition of Mordecai, is brought up pure and virgin, and has the spirit of love and sympathetic interpretation, which shall redeem the world. To reach the point of being ready, Esther had six years of severe and bitter study and training to become proficient in intellectual knowledge. Two dragons fight and tear each other until there arises a star, a fountain of light, a queen who is Esther. The two dragons are Haman and Mordecai.
In preparation for pleading with the King on behalf of Mordecai, she places her trust in God and asks the people in the capital to pray and fast with her for three days. Esther shows great bravery when she risks death by appearing before the King without being summoned. The King is so favourably impressed with her beauty and courage that she can ask for anything, and she chooses to set a trap for Haman.
Apocrypha, King James Version, Reader’s Edition, Hendrickson Publishers, 2009
This is our summary of The Book of Esther as taken from the King James Version of the Apocrypha:
Mordecai discovered that two eunuchs, Bigthana and Teresh, were planning to kill the King.
Mordecai was rewarded by the King and asked to serve in the court.
Queen Vashti refuses King Ahasuerus’ command, which angers him, and she loses her position as his wife.
Mordecai, a Benjaminite (from Jacob’s line and one of the twelve tribes of Israel), brought up his uncle’s daughter (his cousin) Esther.
King Ahasuerus seeks a new, younger wife.
Esther was given twelve months of purification: six with oil of myrrh, and six with sweet odours before the King chose her to be the new queen.
Haman was promoted by the King, and Mordecai was the only servant who refused to bow to him, because he did not want to glorify a man above the glory of God.
Haman sought to take revenge on Mordecai. He was so angered that he sought to harm all the Jews by telling the King they were malicious people in opposition to the laws and commandments of the King.
Mordecai was upset, and Esther tried to assist him. He asked her to speak to the King on behalf of her people.
She broke the rules by going to the King without being called, but he was kind to her.
She invites the King and Haman to a banquet she has prepared.
The King reads the record in the chronicles that explains how Mordecai saved the King’s life from Bigthana and Teresh.
The King asks Haman ‘What shall be done unto the man whom the King deligheth to honour?’, without saying who it is until Haman answers. Then the King tells him it is Mordecai, and Haman has to follow through with the good plan.
Haman is upset and then has to go to the banquet the Queen has prepared.
The Queen asks the King to save her and her people from Haman.
The King hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
The King gives the Queen Haman’s possessions, and she gives them to Mordecai.
The King reverses Haman’s decree against the Jews with an official letter to the people.
Esther: Chapter 16
Chapter 16 of The Book of Esther contains the official letter from King Ahasuerus reversing the decree that Haman had sent out to destroy Mordecai’s people. It follows the dramatic revelation of Haman’s dark plot against the people and Esther’s brave intervention. This letter seems applicable today, in a society that is full of ego, narcissism, and corruption, where the people holding public office in government and other public bodies regularly commit treason against the people.
I have highlighted in bold the text that seems relevant to the behaviour we are witnessing today.
Esther 16 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
16 The great King Ahasuerus, from India to Ethiopia, to the governors and princes of a hundred and twenty-seven provinces, which obey our command, sendeth greeting.
2 Many have abused unto pride the goodness of princes, and the honour that hath been bestowed upon them:
3 And not only endeavour to oppress the king’s subjects, but not bearing the glory that is given them, take in hand to practise also against those who gave it.
4 Neither are they content not to return thanks for benefits received, and to violate in themselves the laws of humanity, but they think they can also escape the justice of God who seeth all things.
5 And they break out into so great madness, as to endeavour to undermine by lies such as observe diligently the offices committed to them, and do all things in such manner as to be worthy of all men’s praise.
6 While with crafty fraud they deceive the ears of princes that are well meaning, and judge of others by their own nature.
7 Now this is proved both from ancient histories, and by the things which are done daily, how the good designs of kings are depraved by the evil suggestions of certain men.
8 Wherefore we must provide for the peace of all provinces.
9 Neither must you think, if we command different things, that it cometh of the levity of our mind, but that we give sentence according to the quality and necessity of times, as the profit of the commonwealth requireth.
10 Now that you may more plainly understand what we say, I Aman the son of Amadathi, a Macedonian both in mind and country, and having nothing of the Persian blood, but with his cruelty staining our goodness, was received being a stranger by us:
11 And found our humanity so great towards him, that he was called our father, and was worshipped by all as the next man after the king:
12 But he was so far puffed up with arrogancy, as to go about to deprive us of our kingdom and life.
13 For with certain new and unheard of devices he hath sought the destruction of Mordecai, by whose fidelity and good services our life was saved, and of Esther the partner of our kingdom, with all their nation:
14 Thinking that after they were slain, he might work treason against us left alone without friends, and might transfer the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians.
15 But we have found that the Jews, who were by that most wicked man appointed to be slain, are in no fault at all, but contrariwise, use just laws,
16 And are the children of the highest and the greatest, and the ever living God, by whose benefit the kingdom was given both to our fathers and to us, and is kept unto this day.
17 Wherefore know ye that those letters which he sent in our name, are void and of no effect.
18 For which crime both he himself that devised it, and all his kindred hang on gibbets, before the gates of this city Susan: not we, but God repaying him as he deserved.
19 But this edict, which we now send, shall be published in all cities, that the Jews may freely follow their own laws.
20 And you shall aid them that they may kill those who had prepared themselves to kill them, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is called Adar.
21 For the almighty God hath turned this day of sadness and mourning into joy to them.
22 Wherefore you shall also count this day among other festival days, and celebrate it with all joy, that it may be known also in times to come.
23 That all they who faithfully obey the Persians, receive a worthy reward for their fidelity: but they that are traitors to their kingdom, are destroyed for their wickedness.
24 And let every province and city, that will not be partaker of this solemnity, perish by the sword and by fire, and be destroyed in such manner as to be made unpassable, both to men and beasts, for an example of contempt, and disobedience.
Esther: Chapter 8
Chapter 8 of The Book of Esther explains how the official letter from King Ahasuerus is distributed to all the people throughout the realm, and they celebrate with joy and gladness.
Esther: Chapter 9
In Chapter 9, the people decide that they hate those who wanted to have power over them, and seek them out to kill them. Through fear of Mordacai, the governors and officers of each town and city assist the people to seek out the bad people so that they can slaughter them with swords. Esther ordered Haman’s ten sons to be hanged on the gallows. The people celebrated again with feasts and gifts to the poor.
Insight
A man in a position of power will be influenced by a woman of a pure heart. His decisions will bring justice and restitution to a group of oppressed people. Their oppressors will be punished, and their illicit gains will be redistributed. Those representing the truth with be rewarded.
Rembrandt
Rembrandt van Rijn was inspired to paint Ahasveros and Haman at the Feast of Esther by a play about Esther by Johannes Serwouters in 1659.
The painting depicts Esther and the King as a united front opposed to Haman. The King’s lips are pursed in anger, and Haman’s stooped pose suggests a sense of impending doom.
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