Esther 7:6

KJV

And Esther said, The adversary and enemy [is] this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Esther {H635} said {H559}, The adversary {H376}{H6862} and enemy {H341} is this wicked {H7451} Haman {H2001}. Then Haman {H2001} was afraid {H1204} before {H6440} the king {H4428} and the queen {H4436}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Ester said, "A ruthless enemy - it's this wicked Haman!" Haman stood aghast, terrified before the king and queen.

Berean Standard Bible

Esther replied, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked man—Haman!” And Haman stood in terror before the king and queen.

American Standard Version

And Esther said, An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 7:6 marks the dramatic and pivotal climax of Queen Esther's courageous and carefully orchestrated plan. In this moment, before King Ahasuerus and the very man she accuses, Esther bravely unmasks Haman as the "adversary and enemy" who seeks to annihilate her people. The verse captures the immediate, terrifying realization of Haman's downfall, as his elaborate scheme is exposed and the tables are irrevocably turned against him, shifting the atmosphere from royal festivity to chilling judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of Esther's strategic brilliance and courage. It occurs at the second of two banquets Esther hosted for King Ahasuerus and Haman. In [Esther 5](/esther/5 "Esther 5 - Esther's First Banquet"), Esther first invited them, building suspense without revealing her petition. This delay, coupled with the king's sleepless night and Haman's humiliation in [Esther 6](/esther/6 "Esther 6 - The King Honors Mordecai"), meticulously set the stage for this dramatic revelation. The king's repeated question, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It will be granted you," (reiterated from [Esther 5:6](/esther/5-6 "Esther 5:6 - King Ahasuerus's First Offer") and [Esther 7:2](/esther/7-2 "Esther 7:2 - King Ahasuerus's Second Offer")) provides the perfect opening for Esther to finally expose Haman's plot against her and her people, leading directly to Haman's immediate terror and the king's furious departure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative is set within the vast Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes I, 486-465 BC). Banquets were significant cultural events, serving not only for entertainment but also as venues for political maneuvering and royal decrees. The king's absolute power was paramount, and any accusation against a high-ranking official like Haman, the grand vizier, was an act of immense risk. Esther, as queen, still had to navigate strict court protocols and the potential wrath of the king. Haman's decree for the annihilation of the Jews (found in [Esther 3:13](/esther/3-13 "Esther 3:13 - Haman's Decree")) reflects the historical reality of ethnic tensions and the vulnerability of minority groups within ancient empires, where royal edicts carried life-or-death authority.
* **Key Themes:** Esther 7:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book. It is the ultimate expression of **Exposed Wickedness**, as Haman's hidden malice and genocidal intentions are brought into the glaring light of royal judgment. The verse also showcases **Divine Reversal**, a foundational theme where the fortunes of the wicked are dramatically overturned, even without explicit divine intervention mentioned in the text. Haman, who meticulously planned the destruction of the Jews, suddenly finds himself the target of the king's wrath, embodying the principle that those who dig a pit for others often fall into it themselves (as seen in [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - The Pit for the Deceiver")). Furthermore, Esther's declaration is an act of profound **Courageous Advocacy**, fulfilling her earlier resolve "if I perish, I perish" from [Esther 4:16](/esther/4-16 "Esther 4:16 - Esther's Resolve to Act"), demonstrating her willingness to risk her life for her people. Finally, Haman's immediate **Fear of the Guilty** underscores the sudden and terrifying realization that his elaborate plot has not only failed but has turned against him, confirming the swift and inevitable consequence of his evil.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Adversary (Hebrew, _tzar'_):** This word (צר) carries the sense of one who causes distress, affliction, or narrowness. It implies an oppressor or one who brings trouble upon another. Its use here emphasizes Haman's role not just as an opponent, but as one who actively seeks to bring suffering and calamity upon Esther and her people.
* **Enemy (Hebrew, _'oyev'_):** The term ('אויב) is a more general and common word for an enemy or foe, denoting one who is hostile or hates. When combined with "adversary," it intensifies the description, portraying Haman as a comprehensive and relentless foe, driven by deep-seated animosity. The pairing highlights the profound and personal nature of his hatred for the Jewish people.
* **Wicked (Hebrew, _ra'_):** This adjective (רע) signifies evil, bad, or malicious. It is a moral descriptor, labeling Haman's character and actions as fundamentally evil. Esther's use of this word is not merely an accusation of opposition but a condemnation of his moral depravity and the heinous nature of his genocidal plot.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Esther said,"**: This opening phrase is deceptively simple, yet it marks the culmination of Esther's strategic silence and careful preparation. It is the moment of truth, where the long-awaited petition is finally voiced, shattering the festive atmosphere of the banquet with a shocking revelation.
* **"The adversary and enemy [is] this wicked Haman."**: This is the core of Esther's accusation, delivered with directness and precision. By using the double descriptor "adversary and enemy," Esther emphasizes the profound and malicious nature of Haman's hostility. The explicit naming of "this wicked Haman" leaves no room for doubt or misinterpretation, unmasking the king's trusted advisor as the villain. This statement is a powerful act of courage, as Esther directly confronts the most powerful man in the kingdom after the king, risking her own life in the process.
* **"Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen."**: This clause captures Haman's immediate and visceral reaction. His terror signifies the sudden and complete reversal of his fortunes. The man who had reveled in his power and plotted the destruction of an entire people is now exposed, vulnerable, and consumed by fear. His fear is not just of the king, but also of the queen, whose courage and strategic brilliance have utterly undone him. This moment foreshadows his imminent demise.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Dramatic Irony**, as Haman, who believed himself to be at the pinnacle of his power and favor, is suddenly exposed as the villain by the very queen he sought to destroy. The reader is aware of Haman's plot and Esther's plan, making his obliviousness to his impending doom deeply ironic. The scene also functions as the **Climax** of the narrative tension that has been building throughout the book. Esther's direct accusation is the turning point from which there is no return, leading swiftly to Haman's downfall. There is a powerful **Juxtaposition** between Esther's unwavering courage and Haman's immediate, abject fear, highlighting the moral contrast between the two characters. The **Revelation** of Haman's identity is sudden and shocking, creating a moment of high drama that propels the narrative towards its resolution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 7:6 serves as a powerful testament to the ultimate triumph of truth and justice over concealed wickedness. While the book of Esther famously omits any direct mention of God, His providential hand is undeniably evident in the meticulous orchestration of events that lead to Haman's exposure and downfall. This verse demonstrates that even when evil seems to prevail and God's presence appears hidden, divine justice is at work, often through the courageous actions of faithful individuals. It underscores the biblical principle that those who plot evil often fall into the very traps they set for others, and that pride precedes destruction. Haman's sudden terror and subsequent demise illustrate the terrifying consequences of unchecked malice and the inevitable judgment that awaits those who seek to harm the innocent.

* [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalms/7-15 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Wicked's Own Pit")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before Destruction")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - God's Vengeance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 7:6 offers profound lessons for believers today. It calls us to cultivate **courage** in the face of injustice, reminding us that there are times when silence is not an option, and speaking truth to power, even at great personal risk, is a moral imperative. Esther's example encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His unseen hand, even when circumstances seem dire and the wicked appear to prosper. Just as Haman's meticulously crafted plot unraveled in a single, terrifying moment, this verse reassures us that no evil scheme can ultimately thwart God's purposes or escape His eventual judgment. It serves as a powerful warning against the destructive nature of pride, hatred, and unchecked ambition, urging us to examine our own hearts and repent of any malice. Ultimately, it instills hope that divine justice will prevail, bringing light to hidden darkness and vindication to the oppressed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or community are you called to speak truth to power, even when it feels risky?**
* **How does Haman's sudden downfall encourage you to trust in God's ultimate justice, even when it seems delayed?**
* **What lessons can you draw from Esther's strategic patience and courage in confronting evil?**

### FAQ
**Why did Esther wait until the second banquet to reveal Haman's identity?**

Answer: Esther's delay was a masterstroke of strategic wisdom, demonstrating remarkable patience and insight into human nature and court dynamics. By inviting the king and Haman to a second banquet, she built immense suspense and allowed Haman to become even more complacent and prideful, making his eventual downfall more dramatic and humiliating. Crucially, this delay also allowed for the providential events of [Esther 6](/esther/6 "Esther 6 - The King Honors Mordecai") to unfold, where the king's sleepless night led him to discover Mordecai's loyalty and Haman's unwitting role in honoring his enemy. This sequence of events perfectly primed the king to receive Esther's accusation with the necessary context and fury, ensuring Haman's immediate condemnation.

**Is God explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther?**

Answer: No, the book of Esther is unique in the biblical canon for not explicitly mentioning God, His name, prayer, or direct divine intervention. However, His **providence** is undeniably the driving force behind every twist and turn of the narrative. From Esther's elevation to queen, Mordecai's discovery of the assassination plot, the king's sleepless night in [Esther 6:1](/esther/6-1 "Esther 6:1 - The King's Sleepless Night"), and the timing of Esther's petition, the unfolding events clearly demonstrate a divine hand orchestrating circumstances to protect His people. The absence of God's name highlights His often unseen, yet ever-present and sovereign, work in human affairs.

**What was Haman's specific "wickedness" that Esther exposed?**

Answer: Haman's "wickedness" was his genocidal plot to annihilate all Jews throughout the Persian Empire, as detailed in [Esther 3:6-13](/esther/3-6 "Esther 3:6-13 - Haman's Plot to Annihilate the Jews"). This plot was fueled by his personal pride and hatred, particularly towards Mordecai, who refused to bow to him. Esther revealed that this decree encompassed her own life and the lives of her people, thereby making the king an unwitting accomplice to the destruction of his own queen and a segment of his loyal subjects. Her accusation in [Esther 7:4](/esther/7-4 "Esther 7:4 - Esther's Petition") makes it clear: "For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 7:6, with its dramatic exposure of the "adversary and enemy," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate unmasking and defeat of the great Adversary, Satan, through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Haman, the wicked plotter, was revealed in the presence of the king and queen, so too was the power of sin and death, orchestrated by the devil, decisively exposed and broken by Christ on the cross. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), entered our world not merely as an advocate, but as the perfect sacrifice and victorious King. Through His death and resurrection, Christ disarmed the principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them and triumphing over them (as declared in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil (as articulated in [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Haman's fear before the king and queen pales in comparison to the ultimate terror and eternal defeat awaiting Satan and all who align with his wickedness at the final judgment, when every adversary will be cast into the lake of fire (foretold in [Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "The Devil's Final Doom")). Thus, Esther 7:6 serves as a powerful narrative echo of God's sovereign plan to expose and conquer all evil through His Son, Jesus Christ.

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

2 Thessalonians 2:8

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Job 18:5

¶ Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.

Job 18:12

His strength shall be hungerbitten, and destruction [shall be] ready at his side.

Psalms 139:19

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

Psalms 139:22

I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

1 Corinthians 5:13

But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

1 Samuel 24:13

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.