King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, where he summoned and brought his friends and Zeresh his wife.
Berean Standard Bible:
Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh,
American Standard Version:
Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and went home; and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Nevertheless Haman{H2001} refrained{H662} himself: and when he came{H935} home{H1004}, he sent{H7971} and called{H935} for his friends{H157}, and Zeresh{H2238} his wife{H802}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Esther 6:13
- And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every [thing] that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai [be] of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
- Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Genesis 43:30
- And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought [where] to weep; and he entered into [his] chamber, and wept there.
Genesis 43:31
- And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
Genesis 45:1
- ¶ Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
2 Samuel 13:22
- And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
2 Samuel 13:23
- And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which [is] beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.
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Commentary for Esther 5:10
Esther 5:10 is a verse set within the larger narrative of the Book of Esther, which tells the story of a Jewish woman named Esther who becomes queen of Persia and thwarts a plan to commit genocide against her people. The historical context of the book is traditionally placed in the Achaemenid Persian Empire, around the 5th century BCE. The verse itself captures a pivotal moment in the unfolding drama.
In this verse, Haman, a high-ranking official in the Persian court, has just been promoted by King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) and is enjoying a position of significant power and prestige. He has also recently secured a decree from the king authorizing the annihilation of all Jews in the empire, due to his personal vendetta against Mordecai, Esther's cousin, who had refused to bow to him. Despite his elevated status and the apparent success of his plot against the Jews, Haman is deeply troubled because Mordecai, whom he despises, remains unbowed and unafraid.
The verse begins with "Nevertheless," indicating a shift or a contrast with what has just been described—Haman's success and status. Despite his outward triumph, he is inwardly filled with anger and frustration over Mordecai's insolence. The text says Haman "refrained himself," suggesting he exercised some level of self-control in the king's presence, likely to avoid any action that might jeopardize his favor with the king.
Upon returning home, Haman seeks comfort and counsel from those closest to him—his friends and his wife, Zeresh. This reflects a common biblical theme where characters turn to their intimate circles for advice or solace in times of distress. The verse sets the stage for the subsequent verses where Haman's wife and friends will suggest that he erect a gallows to hang Mordecai, a plan that will ultimately lead to Haman's own downfall, as the king learns of Mordecai's good deed and honors him instead of Haman.
In summary, Esther 5:10 is a turning point in the story, highlighting Haman's inner turmoil despite his outward success. It underscores themes of pride before a fall, the importance of loyalty and integrity (as seen in Mordecai's actions), and the unpredictable nature of power and favor in a royal court. The verse also emphasizes the role of family and friends in shaping one's decisions and the consequences that can arise from seeking counsel from a place of vengeance and pride.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2001
There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָמָן
Transliteration: Hâmân
Pronunciation: haw-mawn'
Description: of foreign derivation; Haman, a Persian vizier; Haman. - Strong's Number: H662
There are 290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָפַק
Transliteration: ʼâphaq
Pronunciation: aw-fak'
Description: a primitive root; to contain, i.e. (reflex.) abstain; force (oneself), restrain. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). - Strong's Number: H157
There are 257 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָהַב
Transliteration: ʼâhab
Pronunciation: aw-hab'
Description: or אָהֵב ; a primitive root; to have affection for (sexually or otherwise); (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. - Strong's Number: H2238
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זֶרֶשׁ
Transliteration: Zeresh
Pronunciation: zeh'-resh
Description: of Persian origin; Zeresh, Haman's wife; Zeresh. - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.