Esther 6:4

KJV

¶ And the king said, Who [is] in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} said {H559}, Who is in the court {H2691}? Now Haman {H2001} was come {H935} into the outward {H2435} court {H2691} of the king's {H4428} house {H1004}, to speak {H559} unto the king {H4428} to hang {H8518} Mordecai {H4782} on the gallows {H6086} that he had prepared {H3559} for him.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king then asked,"Who's that in the courtyard?" For Haman had come into the outer courtyard of the king's palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordekhai on the gallows he had prepared for him.

Berean Standard Bible

“Who is in the court?” the king asked. Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him.

American Standard Version

And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 6:4 captures a moment of profound dramatic irony and divine orchestration, revealing King Ahasuerus's unexpected query about who is in the court coinciding precisely with the arrival of Haman, who has come with the sinister intention of requesting permission to execute Mordecai on the very gallows he meticulously prepared. This pivotal verse sets the stage for a miraculous reversal of fortune, where Haman's malicious plot is unwittingly transformed into an instrument of Mordecai's exaltation and Haman's own downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [King Ahasuerus's sleepless night](/esther/6-1 "Esther 6:1 - The King's Sleepless Night") and his subsequent command for the royal chronicles to be read. During this reading, it is discovered that [Mordecai had previously foiled an assassination plot](/esther/2-21-23 "Esther 2:21-23 - Mordecai Uncovers a Plot") against the king but had never been rewarded. The king's sudden realization of this oversight creates a vacuum for counsel regarding Mordecai's honor. It is into this precise moment of royal contemplation that Haman, driven by his burning hatred for Mordecai and his desire for vengeance, arrives in the outer court. The narrative masterfully juxtaposes the king's benevolent concern with Haman's malevolent intent, highlighting the unseen hand of God guiding the seemingly random events towards His ultimate purpose of delivering His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the vast Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I, 486-465 BC), specifically within the royal palace in Susa. The "outward court" (חָצֵר הַמֶּלֶךְ הַחִיצוֹנָה, _chatser ha-melekh ha-chitzonah_) refers to the outer courtyard of the king's house, a formal area where officials and supplicants would wait for an audience with the monarch. Access to the king's inner presence was highly restricted, often requiring royal summons, as seen in [Esther 4:11](/esther/4-11 "Esther 4:11 - The Law of Approaching the King"). Haman's presence there signifies his high status and his expectation of immediate access due to the urgency of his request. The "gallows" (עֵץ, _ets_, literally "tree" or "wood") refers to a tall stake or impaling pole, a common form of public execution in the ancient Near East, designed to inflict maximum humiliation and terror. Haman's preparation of a fifty-cubit-high (approximately 75 feet) structure for Mordecai, as mentioned in [Esther 5:14](/esther/5-14 "Esther 5:14 - Haman Prepares the Gallows"), underscores his extreme malice and desire for Mordecai's public disgrace.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is a powerful illustration of **Divine Providence and Timing**, even though God's name is conspicuously absent from the Book of Esther. Haman's arrival at the exact moment the king is pondering how to honor Mordecai is not mere coincidence but a divinely orchestrated "kairos" moment, demonstrating God's sovereign control over seemingly random human events. It also vividly displays **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience is aware of Haman's sinister purpose while the king is not, and Haman himself is oblivious to the king's current preoccupation. This creates a tension that foreshadows the great reversal. Furthermore, the verse highlights the destructive nature of **Pride and Malice**, as Haman's consuming hatred and arrogance lead him directly into the trap he intended for another, a theme that culminates in his own execution on the very gallows he prepared, as recounted in [Esther 7:9-10](/esther/7-9 "Esther 7:9-10 - Haman's Execution").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Court (Hebrew, _chatser'_):** This term, often translated as "court" or "courtyard," refers to an open area within a palace or temple complex. In the context of a royal palace, it signifies a place of waiting and formal access to the king. Haman's presence in the "outward court" implies he was positioned to be readily admitted to the king's presence, underscoring his confidence and high standing, yet also his place outside the most intimate royal chambers, awaiting summons.
* **Gallows (Hebrew, _ets'_):** While translated "gallows" in KJV, the Hebrew word literally means "tree" or "wood." This suggests a tall, upright stake or pole, upon which a person would be impaled or hanged. The use of this term emphasizes the brutal and humiliating nature of Haman's intended execution for Mordecai, designed not just to kill but to publicly disgrace and display. This "tree" ironically foreshadows the "tree" upon which Haman himself would eventually be hanged.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king said, Who [is] in the court?":** This opening clause immediately establishes the king's active search for someone, indicating an urgent need for consultation or action. His question is posed in a moment of critical decision-making, following his discovery of Mordecai's unrewarded loyalty. The king's inquiry is not casual but purposeful, creating the perfect window for divine intervention.
* **"Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house":** This phrase introduces the dramatic coincidence. Haman's arrival is presented as happening precisely at the moment the king is seeking someone. This "now" (וְהָמָן בָּא, _ve-haman ba_) highlights the perfect, almost uncanny, timing of Haman's presence, setting the stage for the unfolding irony. He has positioned himself strategically, expecting to be granted an audience.
* **"to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.":** This final clause reveals Haman's malevolent purpose. His sole intent in seeking the king's presence is to secure permission for Mordecai's execution. The phrase "that he had prepared for him" underscores Haman's meticulous, premeditated malice and the personal nature of his hatred, adding a layer of tragic irony, as this very structure will become the instrument of his own demise.

#### Literary Devices
Esther 6:4 is rich in literary devices, most notably **Dramatic Irony**. The audience is fully aware of the king's recent discovery of Mordecai's loyalty and his desire to honor him, while Haman, consumed by his own pride and vengeful plot, remains entirely ignorant of this crucial development. This creates a palpable tension and anticipation, as Haman unknowingly walks into a situation that will completely reverse his fortunes. The verse also employs **Juxtaposition**, placing the king's benevolent inquiry directly against Haman's malevolent intent, highlighting the stark contrast between their purposes. Furthermore, there is strong **Foreshadowing** in Haman's preparation of the gallows "for him" (Mordecai), which subtly hints at the ultimate reversal where Haman himself will be hanged on his own device, fulfilling the principle of poetic justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 6:4 serves as a profound testament to the hidden yet active providence of God. Though His name is never explicitly mentioned in the book, His sovereign hand is undeniably at work, orchestrating seemingly random events—a sleepless night, a reading of chronicles, and a perfectly timed arrival—to bring about His purposes. This verse powerfully illustrates that God can use the intentions of evil individuals to accomplish His good will, turning human malice into an instrument of divine justice and deliverance. It underscores the theme that pride often precedes a fall, and those who plot evil against others often find their schemes turned back upon themselves. The narrative encourages believers to trust in God's perfect timing and His ability to work behind the scenes, even when His presence feels obscured, to protect His people and fulfill His promises.

* [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord Directs the Lot")
* [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalm/7-15 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Wicked Fall into Their Own Pit")
* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - God Intended It for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 6:4 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that even in life's most challenging or seemingly chaotic moments, when God's presence feels hidden or His plan unclear, He is actively at work, orchestrating circumstances for His purposes and the good of His people. This narrative encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's perfect timing, recognizing that His delays are not denials, and His silence does not imply absence. Furthermore, Haman's downfall serves as a stark warning against the dangers of pride, malice, and vengeance. When we harbor ill will or seek to harm others, we often become ensnared in our own traps. Instead, we are called to live with integrity, humility, and compassion, trusting that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice and that He will ultimately vindicate the righteous and bring down the proud. Our response to perceived injustice or opposition should be one of prayer and patient reliance on God's sovereignty, rather than succumbing to bitterness or retaliatory schemes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the timing of Haman's arrival in Esther 6:4 challenge or affirm your understanding of divine providence in your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to take matters into your own hands, rather than trusting in God's timing and hidden work?**
* **What lessons can you draw from Haman's pride and malice regarding the dangers of seeking revenge or harboring ill will against others?**

### FAQ

**Why is God's name not mentioned in the Book of Esther, even in such a clearly providential moment?**

Answer: The absence of God's explicit name in the Book of Esther is a unique literary feature that actually magnifies the theme of divine providence. Rather than direct intervention, God's hand is seen in the intricate orchestration of seemingly coincidental events: the king's sleepless night, the reading of the chronicles, Mordecai's unrewarded loyalty, and Haman's perfectly timed arrival. This subtle portrayal emphasizes that God works behind the scenes, through natural means and human decisions, to accomplish His purposes. It teaches us that God is active even when He is not overtly named, and His sovereignty extends over all circumstances, including those that appear purely secular or random. The book illustrates that God's faithfulness to His covenant people does not depend on miraculous displays but on His constant, though hidden, supervision of history.

**What is the significance of the "gallows" in this verse, and why is it so tall?**

Answer: The "gallows" (Hebrew: _ets_, "tree" or "wood") refers to a tall stake or impaling pole, a common method of execution in ancient Persia designed for maximum public humiliation and terror. Haman's decision to make it fifty cubits high (approximately 75 feet) for Mordecai, as mentioned in [Esther 5:14](/esther/5-14 "Esther 5:14 - Haman Prepares the Gallows"), underscores his extreme hatred and desire for Mordecai's public disgrace and a powerful display of his own authority. The height would ensure that Mordecai's body would be visible from a great distance, serving as a chilling warning to anyone who defied Haman or the king. The profound irony, of course, is that this very structure becomes the instrument of Haman's own demise, fulfilling the principle that the wicked often fall into the pit they dig for others ([Psalm 7:15](/psalm/7-15 "Psalm 7:15 - The Wicked Fall into Their Own Pit")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 6:4, with its dramatic reversal and hidden divine hand, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate reversal and deliverance wrought by Jesus Christ. Haman, the arrogant enemy of God's people, meticulously prepares a gallows for Mordecai, only to be impaled upon it himself. This mirrors the cosmic drama where Satan, the ultimate adversary, orchestrated the crucifixion of Jesus on a "tree" or "gallows" ([Acts 5:30](/acts/5-30 "Acts 5:30 - Jesus Hanged on a Tree")), believing it to be his ultimate victory. Yet, through this very act, God turned the enemy's scheme into the means of salvation for all humanity. Just as Mordecai, through no merit of his own, was exalted by the king precisely at the moment his enemy sought his destruction, so too was Christ, having been "humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross," ultimately "exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). The gallows prepared for Mordecai, and ultimately used for Haman, points to the cross, which, though a symbol of death and shame, became the instrument of God's greatest triumph over sin and death, delivering His people from eternal destruction and offering them exaltation with Christ ([Ephesians 2:6](/ephesians/2-6 "Ephesians 2:6 - Seated with Christ in Heavenly Realms")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Esther 5:14

Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

Esther 4:11

All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, [there is] one law of his to put [him] to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

Esther 5:1

¶ Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on [her] royal [apparel], and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

Psalms 2:4

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Esther 3:8

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] diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it [is] not for the king's profit to suffer them.

Esther 3:11

And the king said unto Haman, The silver [is] given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

Psalms 33:19

To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.