Haman Plans to Hang Mordecai

And Haman went out that day (A)joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai (B)in the king's gate, (C)that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and (D)his wife Zeresh. 11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, (E)the number of his sons, all the promotions with which (F)the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting (G)at the king's gate.” 14 Then (H)his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, (I)“Let a gallows[a] fifty cubits[b] high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 5:14 Or wooden beam; twice in this verse (see note on 2:23)
  2. Esther 5:14 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

That day Haman left full of joy and in good spirits.[a](A) But when Haman saw Mordecai at the King’s Gate, and Mordecai didn’t rise or tremble in fear at his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.(B) 10 Yet Haman controlled himself and went home. He sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh(C) to join him. 11 Then Haman described for them his glorious wealth and his many sons. He told them all how the king had honored him and promoted him in rank over the other officials and the royal staff.(D) 12 “What’s more,” Haman added, “Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she had prepared. I am invited again tomorrow to join her with the king. 13 Still, none of this satisfies me since I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the King’s Gate all the time.”

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows seventy-five feet[b] tall.(E) Ask the king in the morning to hang Mordecai on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.” The advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows constructed.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 5:9 Lit left rejoicing and good of heart
  2. 5:14 Lit 50 cubits