“thought it beneath him.” One of the meanings of the Hebrew word bazah (#0959 בָּזָה) in this context (cp. HALOT;^a NAB translation.

“put forth his hand against Mordecai.” This is idiomatic for coming against someone, in this case, it is almost euphemistic for killing Mordecai.

“So Haman sought to destroy all the Jews.” Haman was rightly called “wicked,” because of the way he acted. Although the Bible does not say so, he was very likely a child of the Devil like some Pharisees were at the time of Jesus. Jesus told the Pharisees who were trying to kill him, “You are of your father the Devil, and you want to do the desires of your father” (John 8:44). People in league with the Devil do the works of the Devil, so by studying the people in the Bible who are in league with the Devil we get a good look at the true character of the Devil. The Devil and his people are ruthless, heartless, enemies of God, and we see that in Haman. In studying Haman we learn about the Devil and his people.

[For information on Haman’s death being typological of the Devil’s death, see commentary on Esther 7:10.]