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

Haman’s Rage Against Mordecai

Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage(A) against Mordecai.(B) 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

Calling together his friends and Zeresh,(C) his wife, 11 Haman boasted(D) to them about his vast wealth, his many sons,(E) and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person(F) Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.(G)

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits,[a](H) and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled(I) on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 5:14 That is, about 75 feet or about 23 meters