Esther 5:13

Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

Yet all this availeth {H7737} me nothing, so long as {H6256} I see {H7200} Mordecai {H4782} the Jew {H3064} sitting {H3427} at the king's {H4428} gate {H8179}.

Yet none of this does me any good at all, as long as I keep seeing Mordekhai the Jew remaining seated at the King's Gate."

Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.

Commentary

Esther 5:13 captures the bitter confession of Haman, the powerful vizier of King Ahasuerus. Despite his immense wealth, numerous children, and the unprecedented honor of being invited to a private banquet with King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther, Haman declares that "all this availeth me nothing" so long as Mordecai the Jew refuses to bow to him at the king's gate. This verse starkly reveals the destructive and insatiable nature of pride and hatred.

Context

The scene is set in the Persian capital of Susa. Haman has just returned from Queen Esther's first private banquet, where he was the sole guest alongside the king (Esther 5:12). Overwhelmed by this privilege, he gathers his wife Zeresh and his friends to boast of his riches, his many sons, and his exalted position above all the king’s princes and servants (Esther 5:11). Yet, even amidst this pinnacle of worldly success and adulation, his joy is completely poisoned by the sight of Mordecai, a Jew, who consistently refuses to show him reverence at the king's gate – a public place where officials and dignitaries would gather. This perceived slight, stemming from Mordecai's religious conviction not to bow to Haman (Esther 3:2), fuels Haman's intense fury and his broader plot to annihilate all Jews in the kingdom (Esther 3:6).

Key Themes

  • The Destructive Power of Pride and Envy: Haman's confession vividly illustrates how unchecked pride and envy can nullify all outward blessings and achievements. His immense success is rendered meaningless by one man's defiance, leading to profound inner turmoil and misery.
  • The Insatiable Nature of Sin: No amount of worldly honor or material gain can satisfy a heart consumed by hatred and a craving for absolute control. Haman's desire is not just for respect, but for absolute, unquestioning submission, and anything less leads to his undoing.
  • The Sovereignty of God (Implicit): While not explicitly stated in this verse, the larger narrative of Esther demonstrates how God can use even the wicked intentions of individuals like Haman to ultimately bring about His divine purpose and protect His people. Haman's hatred, though destructive to him, sets the stage for the miraculous deliverance of the Jews.
  • The Contrast Between Worldly Success and Inner Peace: Haman possesses all the trappings of success but lacks inner peace and contentment, proving that true satisfaction does not come from external validation or power.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "availeth me nothing" (KJV) conveys the profound emptiness and worthlessness Haman attaches to his vast accomplishments because of this one perceived flaw. It highlights the depth of his internal suffering despite his outward prosperity. The "king's gate" signifies a place of prominence and authority in the ancient Persian capital, making Mordecai's visible presence and defiance a constant, public affront to Haman's inflated ego.

Practical Application

  • Guard Against Pride and Envy: Haman's story serves as a powerful warning against allowing pride and envy to take root in our hearts. These emotions can blind us to our blessings and lead to destructive actions, ultimately consuming us from within. Proverbs 16:18 reminds us, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
  • Seek True Contentment: This verse underscores that true contentment and joy do not come from external achievements, wealth, or the absence of perceived rivals, but from a right heart attitude and a relationship with God.
  • Recognize the Cost of Hatred: Haman's misery demonstrates that hatred ultimately harms the hater more than the object of their hate. It consumes one's own peace and leads to a life of dissatisfaction and bitterness.

Reflection

Esther 5:13 is a poignant moment in the narrative, revealing the psychological torment of a man obsessed with his own importance. Haman's confession foreshadows his dramatic downfall, illustrating that even the most powerful individuals can be undone by their own unchecked pride and malice. It stands as a timeless reminder that a heart filled with hatred and a craving for absolute control can turn even the greatest worldly successes into utter emptiness.

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Cross-References

  • Philippians 4:11 (3 votes)

    Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.

  • Philippians 4:12 (3 votes)

    I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

  • Job 18:4 (2 votes)

    He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?

  • Ecclesiastes 1:14 (2 votes)

    I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

  • Ecclesiastes 1:2 (2 votes)

    Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all [is] vanity.

  • 1 Kings 21:4 (2 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Kings 21:6 (2 votes)

    And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee [another] vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.