Esther 6:9

And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man [withal] whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

And let this apparel {H3830} and horse {H5483} be delivered {H5414} to the hand {H3027} of one {H376} of the king's {H4428} most noble {H6579} princes {H8269}, that they may array {H3847} the man {H376} withal whom the king {H4428} delighteth {H2654} to honour {H3366}, and bring {H7392} him on horseback {H5483} through the street {H7339} of the city {H5892}, and proclaim {H7121} before {H6440} him, Thus shall it be done {H6213} to the man {H376} whom the king {H4428} delighteth {H2654} to honour {H3366}.

The robes and the horse should be handed over to one of the king's most respected officials, and they should put the robes on the man the king wants to honor and lead him on horseback through the streets of the city, proclaiming ahead of him, 'This is what is done for a man whom the king wants to honor.'"

Let the robe and the horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them array the man the king wants to honor and parade him on the horse through the city square, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor!’”

and let the apparel and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man therewith whom the king delighteth to honor, and cause him to ride on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor.

Commentary

Context

Esther 6:9 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Esther, immediately following King Ahasuerus's sleepless night and his discovery that Mordecai's loyalty in exposing a plot against him had gone unrewarded. Seeking to rectify this oversight, the king asks his chief minister, Haman, for advice on how to best honor a man whom the king "delighteth to honour." Unbeknownst to Haman, who was filled with pride and fresh from building gallows for Mordecai, he was unwittingly describing the very public ceremony for his despised rival. This verse details the elaborate instructions Haman gives, believing they are for himself.

Key Themes

  • Divine Irony and Providence: This verse is a powerful illustration of divine irony, where Haman, filled with pride and plotting Mordecai's demise, becomes the unwitting architect and executor of Mordecai's exaltation. It demonstrates how pride often precedes a fall, and God's sovereign hand can orchestrate events in unexpected ways to protect His people and fulfill His purposes, even without direct divine intervention being explicitly mentioned.
  • Public Honor and Reversal of Fortune: The elaborate instructions for the procession—royal apparel, the king's own horse, and a public proclamation—underscore the significance of public honor in the ancient Persian Empire. This ceremony was designed to elevate the recipient to the highest esteem, a stark contrast to Haman's secret plans to execute Mordecai. It dramatically highlights the theme of reversal of fortune, a cornerstone of the book of Esther.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated phrase "the man whom the king delighteth to honour" (appearing twice in this verse and central to the preceding dialogue in Esther 6:6) emphasizes the king's personal pleasure and intention behind this extraordinary recognition. The Hebrew word for "delighteth" (chaphets) implies a strong desire, pleasure, or inclination. This repetition builds dramatic tension and highlights Haman's miscalculation and the king's genuine desire to bestow significant honor.

Practical Application

Esther 6:9 offers timeless insights into God's working in the world. It encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His ability to turn seemingly dire situations into triumphs. It reminds us that humility and faithfulness, like Mordecai's, are ultimately rewarded, while pride and malice, like Haman's, lead to downfall. Even when circumstances seem bleak, God is often working behind the scenes to bring about His will, demonstrating His ultimate control over human affairs and His care for His people. This narrative reassures believers that God's plan cannot be thwarted, even by the most powerful human adversaries.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 41:43

    And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him [ruler] over all the land of Egypt.

  • 1 Kings 1:33

    The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

  • 1 Kings 1:34

    And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.

  • Zechariah 9:9

    ¶ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
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