Esther 7:7

KJV

¶ And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath [went] into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} arising {H6965} from the banquet {H4960} of wine {H3196} in his wrath {H2534} went into the palace {H1055} garden {H1594}: and Haman {H2001} stood up {H5975} to make request {H1245} for his life {H5315} to Esther {H635} the queen {H4436}; for he saw {H7200} that there was evil {H7451} determined {H3615} against him by the king {H4428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In a rage, the king got up from the wine banquet and went out to the palace garden. But Haman remained, pleading with Ester the queen to spare his life; for he could see that the king had decided to do him in.

Berean Standard Bible

In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him.

American Standard Version

And the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 7:7 captures the dramatic climax of the second banquet, where King Ahasuerus, having just learned of Haman's genocidal plot against the Jews and Queen Esther herself, erupts in furious wrath and withdraws to the palace garden for deliberation. In a stark reversal of his former arrogance, Haman, now realizing the full extent of the king's determination against him, desperately stands to plead for his life to Queen Esther, recognizing his fate is sealed. This pivotal moment sets the stage for Haman's swift and irreversible downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Esther's courageous revelation to King Ahasuerus regarding Haman's wicked decree and his personal threat to her life in [Esther 7:3-6](/esther/7-3 "Esther 7:3-6 - Esther's Plea and Revelation"). The king, previously oblivious to Haman's true character and Esther's Jewish identity, is confronted with the shocking truth that his trusted vizier has plotted to annihilate his queen and her people. The narrative builds intense suspense through the two banquets, culminating in this dramatic confrontation. The king's departure from the banquet hall signifies a moment of intense emotional processing and a deliberate pause before rendering a judgment that will irrevocably alter the course of the story and determine Haman's fate.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Persian court was characterized by the absolute, often capricious, power of the king. Royal decrees were irreversible, and the king's wrath could lead to immediate execution. Banquets were significant social and political events, but also settings where power dynamics were acutely observed. A king's withdrawal from a banquet in anger was a powerful signal of impending doom for the offender. The palace garden, a common feature of Persian royal residences, served as a private space for contemplation, decision-making, and the cooling of royal temper, away from the immediate gaze of courtiers. Haman's desperate plea to Esther, rather than the king, underscores the cultural understanding that a queen could sometimes intercede, though her power was always secondary to the king's.
* **Key Themes:** Esther 7:7 powerfully illustrates several key themes woven throughout the book. It highlights the **King's Absolute Authority and Decisive Judgment**, demonstrating that once his wrath is provoked, his decisions are final, as seen in the swift execution of Haman. The verse also showcases **Haman's Dramatic Downfall and Desperation**, a stark contrast to his earlier pride and boasting about his wealth and favor, as detailed in [Esther 5:11](/esther/5-11 "Esther 5:11 - Haman's Boasting"). Most significantly, it exemplifies **Poetic Justice and Divine Reversal**, where the "evil determined against him by the king" directly mirrors the evil Haman had "determined" against the Jews in [Esther 3:13](/esther/3-13 "Esther 3:13 - Haman's Decree Against the Jews"). This reversal underscores the overarching theme of God's unseen providence, working through human agents and circumstances to protect His people and bring justice to the wicked, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned in the text.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wrath (Hebrew, _chemah'_):** This word signifies intense heat, burning anger, or fury. It is a strong term, indicating not mere annoyance but a deep, consuming rage. The king's "wrath" here is not just an emotion; it is a powerful, active force that signals an immediate and severe consequence for Haman. It represents the full, unbridled power of the Persian monarch now turned against his former favorite.
* **Evil determined (Hebrew, _ra'ah charutzah'_):** This phrase literally translates to "evil cut out" or "decided evil." The term *charutzah* (determined/decreed) implies a fixed, irrevocable decision. It emphasizes that Haman's fate was not merely uncertain but had been definitively sealed by the king's judgment. This "evil" is a direct, ironic reversal of the "evil" Haman had meticulously planned for the Jews, underscoring the principle of reaping what one sows.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath [went] into the palace garden:"** This clause describes King Ahasuerus's immediate and visceral reaction to Esther's revelation. The "banquet of wine" highlights the setting of revelry now shattered by the shocking truth. His "wrath" is the catalyst for his departure, signifying a need for private, intense deliberation to process the betrayal and decide Haman's fate. The "palace garden" serves as a symbolic space for this critical, solitary reflection and the formation of a definitive judgment.
* **"and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen;"** This phrase captures Haman's sudden, desperate shift from a position of immense power and arrogance to abject fear and supplication. His immediate action is to appeal to Esther, not the king, indicating his recognition that Esther now holds the key to his survival, having exposed his treachery. This act of "standing up" is a complete reversal of his previous haughty demeanor, now reduced to begging.
* **"for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king."** This final clause provides the motivation for Haman's desperate plea. He perceives, with chilling clarity, that the king's decision against him is final and irreversible. The "evil determined" is the king's fixed intent to punish him severely, a direct consequence of his own malicious actions. This realization marks the moment Haman fully comprehends the catastrophic downfall he has brought upon himself.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Dramatic Irony**, as Haman, who meticulously planned the destruction of the Jews, now finds himself in a position of utter desperation, begging for his own life from the very queen he sought to annihilate. The king's "wrath" and withdrawal **Foreshadow** Haman's imminent doom, building suspense for the reader. There is a powerful sense of **Reversal**, as Haman's fortunes plummet from the height of power and favor to the depths of despair and certain death, mirroring the reversal of fortune for the Jews. The "palace garden" functions as **Symbolism**, representing a place of judgment and decision, where the king's fury can be channeled into a definitive decree. The entire scene is imbued with **Pathos**, evoking pity for Haman's desperate state, yet tempered by the understanding that his suffering is a just consequence of his own malevolent actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 7:7 serves as a profound testament to the principle of divine justice, even when God's name is not explicitly mentioned. It powerfully illustrates that schemes born of pride, hatred, and malice ultimately boomerang upon their perpetrators. Haman's dramatic fall from grace is a vivid demonstration that earthly power and human machinations are ultimately subservient to a higher, unseen hand that orchestrates events for the protection of the innocent and the vindication of righteousness. This verse underscores the biblical truth that while the wicked may flourish for a time, their end is often swift and catastrophic, a testament to the moral order of the universe.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalm/7-15 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Pit He Dug")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - You Reap What You Sow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 7:7 offers a stark warning against the dangers of unchecked pride, hatred, and the abuse of power. Haman's rapid descent from the pinnacle of influence to a desperate plea for life reminds us that true security and lasting favor do not come from worldly position or malicious schemes, but from humility and righteous living. His chilling realization that "evil was determined against him" should prompt us to reflect on the consequences of our own actions and intentions. This verse encourages us to consider how our choices, whether good or ill, inevitably shape our destiny and the destinies of those around us. It also serves as a powerful reminder that even in seemingly dire circumstances, divine providence is at work, orchestrating justice and protecting the vulnerable, often through the courageous actions of individuals like Esther. We are called to live with integrity, trusting that ultimately, justice will prevail and that those who sow seeds of discord and destruction will reap their bitter harvest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Haman's sudden downfall challenge our understanding of worldly power and influence?**
* **In what ways might we, like Haman, inadvertently "determine evil" against ourselves through our attitudes or actions?**
* **How does this verse encourage us to trust in God's timing and justice, even when circumstances seem bleak?**

### FAQ
**Why did the king go into the palace garden?**

Answer: The king's retreat to the palace garden was a culturally significant act, indicating a need for private, intense deliberation and a cooling of his immediate wrath. In ancient Near Eastern courts, kings often used such private spaces to process shocking information, compose themselves, and make weighty decisions away from the immediate gaze of their courtiers. It allowed King Ahasuerus to move from emotional reaction to a calculated determination of Haman's fate, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the absolute authority of his impending judgment. This deliberate withdrawal heightened the dramatic tension, signaling that a definitive and severe punishment was being formulated.

**Why did Haman appeal to Esther and not the king?**

Answer: Haman's decision to appeal to Esther rather than the king was a desperate, yet shrewd, recognition of his dire predicament. He understood that the king's wrath, once ignited, was absolute and that his own direct appeal to Ahasuerus would likely be futile. Haman saw that "evil was determined against him by the king," meaning his fate was sealed in the king's eyes. Esther, however, had just demonstrated immense courage and influence by exposing his plot and revealing her own identity ([Esther 7:3-6](/esther/7-3 "Esther 7:3-6 - Esther's Plea and Revelation")). Haman, in his moment of terror, grasped at the only perceived straw of hope: that the queen, whose life he had inadvertently threatened, might show him mercy or intercede on his behalf, perhaps recognizing her unique position as the king's beloved wife.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 7:7, with its vivid portrayal of Haman's sudden downfall and the king's determined wrath, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate judgment of all evil and the triumph of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. Haman, as an enemy of God's people, is a type of the spiritual adversary who seeks to destroy those who belong to God. Just as Haman's meticulously planned "evil" was turned back upon him by the king's righteous judgment, so too is the ultimate "evil" of sin and death decisively defeated by Christ. The desperate plea of Haman to Esther, who interceded on behalf of her people, points to the infinitely greater intercession of Christ, who stands as our advocate before the Father ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Our Intercessor")). The "evil determined" against Haman finds its ultimate fulfillment in the final judgment of Satan and all who oppose God, cast into the lake of fire ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Devil Cast into the Lake of Fire")). Through His death and resurrection, 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"), disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). Thus, the dramatic reversal for Haman in Esther 7:7 serves as a historical echo of the cosmic reversal wrought by Christ, securing eternal salvation and justice for all who trust in Him.

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 1:12

But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by [his] chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

Proverbs 19:12

¶ The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass.

Isaiah 60:14

The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Proverbs 14:19

¶ The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

1 Samuel 20:7

If he say thus, [It is] well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, [then] be sure that evil is determined by him.

Psalms 112:10

The wicked shall see [it], and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

1 Samuel 20:9

¶ And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?