The Hebrew word Charbôwnâʼ, represented by H2726, is a name of Persian origin for Harbona or Harbonah, a eunuch of Xerxes. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. He is specifically identified as one of the king's chamberlains in the Persian court during the reign of King Ahasuerus.
In the biblical narrative, Harbona H2726 first appears as one of the seven H7651 chamberlains H5631 who served H8334 King Ahasuerus H325. The king, merry with wine H3196, commanded them to bring the queen before him Esther 1:10. His more significant contribution occurs after Haman's plot is revealed. It is Harbona who speaks up before the king H4428, pointing out that the very gallows H6086 Haman had prepared for Mordecai was standing at Haman's own house H1004. This report leads the king to command that Haman be hanged on it Esther 7:9.
Several related words and names provide context for Harbona's role:
- H5631 çârîyç (chamberlain, eunuch, officer): This term defines Harbona's official position as one H259 of the seven trusted officials who served H8334 in the presence H6440 of the king H4428 Esther 1:10.
- H325 ʼĂchashvêrôwsh (Ahasuerus): The Persian king H4428 whom Harbona and the other chamberlains H5631 served Esther 1:10.
- H2001 Hâmân (Haman): The king's vizier whose downfall is confirmed by Harbona's timely statement about the gallows H6086 Haman had made H6213 Esther 7:9.
- H4782 Mordᵉkay (Mordecai): The intended victim of Haman's plot. Harbona notes that Mordecai had spoken H1696 good H2896 for the king, highlighting his innocence Esther 7:9.
The narrative significance of Harbona H2726 is demonstrated in his key actions:
- Court Official: Harbona is established as an insider within the royal court, one of the seven H7651 chamberlains H5631 attending to the king H4428 Esther 1:10.
- Voice of Justice: At the story's climax, he provides the crucial information that enables swift justice. He identifies the gallows H6086 that were fifty H2572 cubits H520 high H1364 and intended for Mordecai Esther 7:9.
- Agent of Reversal: By revealing the gallows, Harbona becomes an instrument of the story's great irony. His words lead the king H4428 to decree that Haman H2001 be hanged H8518 on the very structure he built for his enemy Esther 7:9.
In summary, Charbôwnâʼ H2726 is a minor but pivotal character in the book of Esther. While appearing in only two verses, his role is indispensable to the narrative's resolution. Initially listed as a royal chamberlain H5631, his defining act is to inform the king about Haman's gallows. This intervention serves as the catalyst for Haman's immediate and ironic demise, cementing Harbona's place as a key figure in the execution of justice within the story.
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