Matthew Poole and continuators on Esther 3:8

8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad, and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom , and their laws are divers from all people , neither keep they the kings laws ; therefore it is not for the kings profit to suffer them .

Mean and contemptible, not worthy to be named.

Who therefore, if tolerated, may poyson all thy subjects with their pernicious principles; and whom thou mayest easily crush without any great noise or difficulty.

For though many of their brethren were returned to their own land, yet great numbers of them stayed behind, either because they preferred their ease and worldly commodities before their spiritual advantages: or because they wanted conveniency or opportunity for a remove; which might happen from divers causes.

They have peculiar and fantastical rites, and customs, and religion; and therefore are justly offensive to all thy people, and may either infect them with their conceits, or occasion great dissensions and distractions among them.

As is manifest by Mordecai's bold contempt of thy late Edict concerning me, which being done by him as a Iew, the whole nation are involved in his crime▪ and are prepared to do so when they have occasion.

To live in his kingdom. I do not seek herein so much my own revenge as thy service.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 4▪ 13. [illegible: 1 word] 16. 20.; [illegible: 1 span]