Esther 5:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

Complete Jewish Bible:

That day Haman went out happy and in good spirits. But when Haman saw Mordekhai at the King's Gate, that he neither rose nor moved for him, Haman was infuriated with Mordekhai.

Berean Standard Bible:

That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.

American Standard Version:

Then went Haman forth that day joyful and glad of heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up nor moved for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then went{H3318} Haman{H2001} forth{H3318} that day{H3117} joyful{H8056} and with a glad{H2896} heart{H3820}: but when Haman{H2001} saw{H7200} Mordecai{H4782} in the king's{H4428} gate{H8179}, that he stood not up{H6965}, nor moved{H2111} for him, he{H2001} was full{H4390} of indignation{H2534} against Mordecai{H4782}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Esther 3:5

  • And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

Matthew 2:16

  • ¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

1 Kings 21:4

  • And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

Esther 3:2

  • And all the king's servants, that [were] in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did [him] reverence.

John 16:20

  • Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

James 4:9

  • Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness.

Job 31:31

  • If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

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Commentary for Esther 5:9

Esther 5:9 is a verse set within the broader narrative of the Book of Esther, which tells the story of a Jewish woman named Esther who becomes queen of Persia and thwarts a plot to commit genocide against her people. The historical context of the book is generally believed to be the Achaemenid Empire during the reign of King Ahasuerus, traditionally identified as Xerxes I (reigned 486–465 BCE).

In this verse, Haman, a high-ranking official in the king's court, is depicted as being in high spirits after having been honored by the queen and invited to a banquet with her and the king. His joy is quickly turned to anger, however, when he encounters Mordecai, Esther's cousin, at the king's gate. Mordecai, a Jew, refuses to bow down or show deference to Haman, which was customary for subjects to do before high officials in the Persian court. This act of defiance, stemming from a combination of personal enmity and religious conviction, infuriates Haman.

The themes present in this verse include pride and humility, the tension between personal honor and the respect due to authority, and the consequences of personal grudges. Haman's reaction to Mordecai's insubordination sets the stage for a central conflict in the narrative, as his indignation leads him to seek not only Mordecai's execution but also the destruction of all Jews in the empire, a plot that Esther and Mordecai will work together to foil. The verse underscores the precarious position of minority groups in ancient empires, where the whims of powerful individuals could have dire consequences for an entire people. It also highlights the courage of Mordecai, who is willing to risk his life by standing up for his principles and the dignity of his people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H3318
    There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָצָא
    Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
    Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
    Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
  2. 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.
  3. Strong's Number: H3117
    There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יוֹם
    Transliteration: yôwm
    Pronunciation: yome
    Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
  4. Strong's Number: H8056
    There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׂמֵחַ
    Transliteration: sâmêach
    Pronunciation: saw-may'-akh
    Description: from שָׂמַח; blithe or gleeful; (be) glad, joyful, (making) merry((-hearted), -ily), rejoice(-ing).
  5. Strong's Number: H2896
    There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: טוֹב
    Transliteration: ṭôwb
    Pronunciation: tobe
    Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured).
  6. Strong's Number: H3820
    There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לֵב
    Transliteration: lêb
    Pronunciation: labe
    Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom.
  7. Strong's Number: H7200
    There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רָאָה
    Transliteration: râʼâh
    Pronunciation: raw-aw'
    Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
  8. Strong's Number: H4782
    There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מׇרְדְּכַי
    Transliteration: Mordᵉkay
    Pronunciation: mor-dek-ah'-ee
    Description: of foreign derivation; Mordecai, an Israelite; Mordecai.
  9. Strong's Number: H4428
    There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
    Transliteration: melek
    Pronunciation: meh'-lek
    Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
  10. Strong's Number: H8179
    There are 302 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שַׁעַר
    Transliteration: shaʻar
    Pronunciation: shah'-ar
    Description: from שָׁעַר in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or gate; city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er).
  11. Strong's Number: H6965
    There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קוּם
    Transliteration: qûwm
    Pronunciation: koom
    Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
  12. Strong's Number: H2111
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: זוּעַ
    Transliteration: zûwaʻ
    Pronunciation: zoo'-ah
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to shake off, i.e. (figuratively) to agitate (as with fear); move, tremble, vex.
  13. Strong's Number: H4390
    There are 240 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָלֵא
    Transliteration: mâlêʼ
    Pronunciation: maw-lay'
    Description: or מָלָא; (Esther 7:5), a primitive root; to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively); accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly.
  14. Strong's Number: H2534
    There are 117 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֵמָה
    Transliteration: chêmâh
    Pronunciation: khay-maw'
    Description: or (Daniel 11:44) חֵמָא; from יָחַם; heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever); anger, bottles, hot displeasure, furious(-ly, -ry), heat, indignation, poison, rage, wrath(-ful). See חֶמְאָה.