Esther 6:6

KJV

So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?

KJV (with Strong's)

So Haman {H2001} came in {H935}. And the king {H4428} said {H559} unto him, What shall be done {H6213} unto the man {H376} whom the king {H4428} delighteth {H2654} to honour {H3366}? Now Haman {H2001} thought {H559} in his heart {H3820}, To whom would the king {H4428} delight {H2654} to do {H6213} honour {H3366} more {H3148} than to myself?

Complete Jewish Bible

So Haman came in. The king said to him, "What should be done for a man that the king wants to honor?" Haman thought to himself, "Whom would the king want to honor more than me?"

Berean Standard Bible

Haman entered, and the king asked him, “What should be done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king be delighted to honor more than me?”

American Standard Version

So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor? Now Haman said in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 6:6 marks a pivotal moment of dramatic irony and divine providence in the Book of Esther. King Ahasuerus, unable to sleep, reviews the royal chronicles and discovers that Mordecai saved his life but was never rewarded. Simultaneously, Haman, the king's chief minister, arrives to request permission to hang Mordecai. The king, unaware of Haman's nefarious intentions, asks Haman for advice on how to honor a man the king wishes to exalt. Haman, consumed by his own arrogance, immediately assumes the king intends to honor him, setting the stage for a spectacular reversal of fortune and Haman's unwitting participation in Mordecai's public honor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic climax of the narrative's rising action, immediately following King Ahasuerus's sleepless night and his discovery that Mordecai's loyalty had gone unrewarded ([Esther 6:1-3](/esther/6-1 "Esther 6:1-3 - The King's Sleepless Night")). The king's question to Haman is perfectly timed, as Haman has just arrived at the palace, eager to secure permission to execute Mordecai on the very gallows he had prepared ([Esther 5:14](/esther/5-14 "Esther 5:14 - Haman's Gallows")). The juxtaposition of the king's desire to honor Mordecai with Haman's desire to destroy him creates intense narrative tension and foreshadows the impending reversal of their fates. It is a moment orchestrated by divine providence, though God is not explicitly named in the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene unfolds within the opulent and often capricious Persian court. Kings like Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) held absolute power, and their decrees were irreversible. The concept of "honoring" someone in the Persian Empire involved public displays, often including royal garments, a royal horse, and a procession, signifying immense favor and status. Such honors were typically reserved for the highest officials or those who rendered extraordinary service. Haman, as the king's chief minister, was at the pinnacle of power, and his self-perception was undoubtedly inflated by his proximity to the throne and the deference he commanded. His assumption that he was the only conceivable recipient of such honor reflects the deeply hierarchical and status-conscious nature of the Persian court, as well as his own hubris.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in this verse is **dramatic irony**, where the audience is fully aware of the king's true intention (to honor Mordecai), while Haman remains tragically oblivious, believing the honor is for himself. This highlights Haman's overwhelming **pride and arrogance**, which blinds him to reality and sets him up for a humiliating fall, illustrating the timeless biblical principle that "[pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes a Fall")". Furthermore, the precise timing of events, from the king's insomnia to Haman's arrival, powerfully demonstrates **divine providence**. Although God's name is absent from the Book of Esther, His unseen hand is clearly guiding these seemingly coincidental occurrences to bring about the **reversal of fortune** for Mordecai and Haman, ultimately ensuring the deliverance of His people, the Jews. This moment marks the turning point where Haman's ascent begins its rapid descent, and Mordecai's humble faithfulness is finally exalted.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"delighteth to honour" (Hebrew, _ḥāfēṣ yiqar'_):** This phrase conveys a strong, earnest desire on the part of the king to bestow significant glory, esteem, and high regard upon someone. The root _ḥāfēṣ_ implies a deep pleasure or inclination, not merely a casual wish. _Yiqar_ refers to preciousness, honor, or glory. Thus, the king is not simply considering a minor reward but a profound elevation of status and public recognition. Haman's interpretation of this phrase through the lens of his own self-absorption underscores his profound misjudgment and the depth of his pride, as he imagines the highest possible honor for himself.
* **"thought in his heart" (Hebrew, _ʾāmar bəlibbō'_):** This idiom reveals Haman's internal monologue, exposing his innermost thoughts and motivations. It signifies a firm conviction or conclusion reached within oneself. The phrase emphasizes the privacy of Haman's thought, making the dramatic irony even more potent for the reader. It highlights his complete self-absorption and the extent to which his pride has warped his perception of reality, preventing him from even considering anyone else as a candidate for such royal favor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Haman came in."**: This simple statement marks the fateful entry of Haman into the king's presence, precisely at the moment the king is contemplating how to honor Mordecai. The timing is crucial, highlighting the providential orchestration of events. Haman enters with a specific, malevolent agenda (to request Mordecai's execution), entirely unaware of the king's preceding thoughts.
* **"And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?"**: The king's question is deceptively simple yet loaded with dramatic irony. He seeks advice from the very man who wishes to destroy the intended recipient of the honor. The phrasing emphasizes the king's personal investment ("the king delighteth") in this act of recognition, underscoring its significance. Haman's immediate opportunity to speak is a direct result of the king's sleepless night and the subsequent reading of the chronicles, setting the stage for his self-incriminating advice.
* **"Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?"**: This internal thought is the core of the verse's dramatic irony. Haman's immediate and absolute assumption that he is the only possible candidate for such honor reveals his profound arrogance and self-centeredness. He cannot conceive of anyone else being worthy of such royal favor, perfectly illustrating the blinding nature of pride. This thought sets him up for the ultimate humiliation, as he will unwittingly prescribe the very honors for his enemy that he imagined for himself.

#### Literary Devices
The dominant literary device in Esther 6:6 is **Dramatic Irony**. The audience is privy to the king's recent discovery about Mordecai and Haman's malevolent intentions, creating a stark contrast with Haman's blissful ignorance and arrogant assumption that the king's question is about him. This irony builds immense tension and anticipation, as the reader knows the imminent humiliation awaiting Haman. Additionally, there is strong **Foreshadowing** of Haman's downfall and Mordecai's exaltation. Haman's internal thought, fueled by his pride, directly leads him to propose the very actions that will publicly elevate his enemy and initiate his own demise. The verse also employs **Contrast** between Haman's inflated self-perception and the reality of the situation, as well as between Haman's evil intentions and the king's desire for justice and honor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 6:6 profoundly illustrates the sovereignty of God, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned. The precise timing of the king's insomnia, the reading of the chronicles, and Haman's arrival are not mere coincidences but divinely orchestrated events designed to bring about justice and protect God's people. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively at work behind the scenes, often using the pride and schemes of wicked individuals to accomplish His righteous purposes. Haman's self-exaltation and subsequent humiliation underscore the biblical truth that pride precedes a fall, while humility and faithfulness, like Mordecai's, are ultimately honored by God. This narrative provides comfort and assurance that even in seemingly chaotic or oppressive circumstances, God remains in control, working all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalm/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Exalts and Abases")
* [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Luke 14:11 - Humility and Exaltation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 6:6 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Haman's tragic blindness, born of his overwhelming pride, serves as a potent warning. When we are consumed by self-importance, convinced that every opportunity or honor is rightfully ours, we become dangerously susceptible to misjudgment and spiritual blindness. This verse challenges us to cultivate humility, recognizing that true honor comes not from self-promotion or grasping for status, but from faithful service and a willingness to be overlooked. It also encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and providential hand, even when circumstances seem bleak or chaotic. Just as God orchestrated events for Mordecai's deliverance, He is at work in our lives, often in unseen ways, to bring about His purposes and ensure justice. Our role is to remain faithful, humble, and watchful, recognizing that God can turn the schemes of the wicked into instruments of His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might pride be blinding me to reality or causing me to misinterpret situations?**
* **How does Haman's downfall encourage me to cultivate humility in my own life and relationships?**
* **Can I identify instances in my life where God's providence was at work in unexpected ways, even through seemingly negative circumstances?**
* **How does the story of Esther 6:6 strengthen my trust in God's unseen hand, even when I cannot discern His immediate activity?**

### FAQ
**Why is God's name not mentioned in the Book of Esther, yet His providence is so clear in Esther 6:6?**

Answer: The absence of God's explicit name in the Book of Esther is a unique literary feature, making it the only book in the Bible where this occurs. However, this absence does not imply God's inactivity. Instead, it serves to highlight His providential work behind the scenes. In Esther 6:6, the precise timing of King Ahasuerus's sleepless night, his choice to have the chronicles read, the specific information about Mordecai's loyalty, and Haman's perfectly timed arrival are all "coincidences" that are too perfect to be random. They demonstrate God's sovereign control over seemingly random events and human decisions to accomplish His will and protect His people. The narrative implicitly teaches that God's hand is at work even when He is not overtly named, reminding us that His presence and power are not dependent on human acknowledgment or direct intervention, but can be seen in the intricate weaving of circumstances. This subtle yet powerful display of divine providence encourages faith in God's unseen hand in all of life's affairs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 6:6, with its profound reversal of fortune and the humiliation of the proud, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Haman's self-exaltation and subsequent fall powerfully foreshadow the destiny of all who oppose God and exalt themselves, while Mordecai's humble faithfulness leading to unexpected honor points to the path of true glory. Christ Himself, though "in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility")). He humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross, a death intended for the guilty ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Yet, it was precisely through this ultimate act of humility and self-sacrifice that God "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation")). Haman sought honor for himself and received humiliation; Christ embraced humiliation and received ultimate honor. Just as Haman unwittingly prepared the gallows for Mordecai only to be hanged on them himself, so too did evil men conspire to crucify Jesus, believing they were destroying Him, only to unwittingly fulfill God's plan for salvation and secure Christ's ultimate victory over death and sin ([Acts 2:23-24](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23-24 - God's Plan for the Cross")). The dramatic irony of Esther 6:6 thus prefigures the grander divine irony of the cross, where God used the greatest act of human evil to accomplish the greatest act of divine love and redemption, ensuring that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow" ([Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

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

Proverbs 16:18

¶ Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Obadiah 1:3

The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation [is] high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

Proverbs 18:12

¶ Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.

Esther 5:11

And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all [the things] wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

Matthew 3:17

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Jeremiah 32:41

Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.

Isaiah 62:4

Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.