Deep Dive

Esther 6:13

A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →

Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is Jewish, you will not prevail against him—for surely you will fall before him.”

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Keil-Delitzsch Old Testament Commentaryv. 13

Elevation of Mordochai and Disgrace of Haman - Est 6:1-14 The next night the king, being unable to sleep, caused the chronicles of the kingdom to be read to him. The account of the conspiracy discovered by Mordochai, which was written therein, was thus brought before him, and he inquired of his servants whether this man had been rewarded (Est 6:1-3). On receiving a negative answer, the king sent to inquire who was in the court; and Haman being found there thus early, he had him summoned, and asked him: what should be done to the man in whose honour the king delighteth. Haman, supposing that the king could intend to honour no one but himself, voted for the very highest public mark of respect (Est 6:3-9), and was then obliged at the king's command to pay the proposed honour to Mordochai (Est 6:10, Est 6:11). From this humiliation his wife and friends prognosticated his speedy downfall (Est 6:12-14).

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 13

It is a very surprising scene that opens in this chapter. Haman, when he hoped to be Mordecai's judge, was made his page, to his great confusion and mortification; and thus way was made for the defeat of Haman's plot and the deliverance of the Jews. I. The providence of God recommends Mordecai in the night to the king's favour (Est 6:1-3). II. Haman, who came to incense the king against him, is employed as an instrument of the king's favour to him (Est 6:4-11). III. From this his friends read him his doom, which is executed in the next chapter (Est 6:12-14). And now it appears that Esther's intercession for her people was happily adjourned, "De die in diem" - from day to day.

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 13

6:13 Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans: Haman’s wife and friends could see that this was more than just a series of coincidences. The text does not explain why Zeresh and the advisers felt that the fact of Mordecai’s Jewish heritage would necessarily mean that Haman’s plans would not succeed.

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