Esther 6 7

Esther 6:7 kjv

And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,

Esther 6:7 nkjv

And Haman answered the king, "For the man whom the king delights to honor,

Esther 6:7 niv

So he answered the king, "For the man the king delights to honor,

Esther 6:7 esv

And Haman said to the king, "For the man whom the king delights to honor,

Esther 6:7 nlt

So he replied, "If the king wishes to honor someone,

Esther 6 verses

Esther 6 7 meaning

This verse encapsulates the apex of dramatic irony in the Book of Esther, showcasing Haman's colossal pride and self-delusion. When King Ahasuerus poses a general question about how to honor a man whom the king desires to exalt, Haman immediately and presumptuously concludes that he is the only possible candidate. His answer, given in this verse, sets the stage for a spectacular reversal of fortune, unknowingly crafting the very honors that will be bestowed upon his mortal enemy, Mordecai. It reveals Haman's profound egocentrism and establishes the mechanism by which divine providence will humble him and exalt the one he despises.

Esther 6 7 Context

This verse occurs at a critical juncture in the Book of Esther, serving as the fulcrum of its dramatic irony. King Ahasuerus, experiencing a sleepless night (Esther 6:1), had his chronicles read to him, leading to the discovery that Mordecai, who had saved the king's life from a plot (Esther 2:21-23), had never been formally honored (Esther 6:2-3). Coincidentally, Haman arrives at the outer court at dawn, eager to request royal permission to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared (Esther 6:4-5). Unaware of Haman's malevolent intent, the king summons Haman and, in a moment pregnant with cosmic significance, asks him: "What shall be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor?" (Esther 6:6). This sets the stage for Haman's self-serving, prideful answer in verse 7, entirely oblivious that he is about to design the public honoring of his archenemy. The immediate context of Esther 6 reveals the providential orchestration of seemingly unrelated events to bring about God's unseen plan for His people.

Esther 6 7 Word analysis

• And Haman answered the king: Haman's response is presented as immediate and confident, reflecting his supreme arrogance. His readiness suggests he is certain of his own elevated status.
• For the man: The Hebrew for "the man" is hā'îš (הָאִישׁ), employing the definite article "the." This is crucial as it signifies Haman's immediate internal leap: he doesn't consider "a man" but identifies "the man" as uniquely himself. This self-referential interpretation highlights his colossal ego and blinding pride. He sees himself as the singular, undisputed recipient of the king's highest favor.
• whom the king delighteth to honor: This phrase translates the Hebrew ḥāpēṣ yĕqārô (חָפֵץ יְקָרוֹ).
  • delighteth (ḥāpēṣ - חָפֵץ): This verb means to "take pleasure in," "desire," or "be pleased with." It denotes a strong royal inclination and personal favor, something Haman yearned for supremely. His desire to be the object of the king's deepest pleasure for honor is evident here.
  • to honor (yĕqārô - יְקָרוֹ): This word is from the root yaqar (יָקָר), meaning "precious," "valuable," or "esteemed." It refers to receiving high distinction, glory, dignity, and public recognition. Haman's ambition was not merely power but lavish public affirmation and glory. The use of "his honor" further emphasizes that he interprets it personally.
  This entire phrase is the core of Haman's misperception. He mentally substitutes his own name for "the man" and assumes the king's question is an opportunity for him to dictate his own extravagant public glorification. This perfectly sets up the dramatic irony where Haman unknowingly prescribes the very ceremony that will exalt Mordecai and, by extension, humble himself. The phrase underscores the pivotal role of divine sovereignty operating through human pride and shortsightedness to effect a divine reversal.

Esther 6 7 Bonus section

• The Element of Surprise: The power of this verse lies in Haman's complete lack of awareness regarding the identity of the person the king wishes to honor. His absolute confidence makes the subsequent revelation (that it is Mordecai) even more devastating and ironic.
• Echoes of Royal Custom: The description of "honor" and the subsequent details in Esther 6:8-9 about royal robes, horses, and public procession, are consistent with documented ancient Near Eastern royal practices for bestowing high honor upon deserving individuals. Haman, knowledgeable in these customs, instinctively proposes the highest form of public tribute.
• Poetic Justice: The specific forms of honor Haman proposes for himself (royal garments, a king's horse, public acclamation) are precisely what Mordecai receives, demonstrating a perfect, ironic poetic justice that compounds Haman's humiliation. This prepares for the climax of his own demise on the gallows he built.
• Hiddenness of God: This scene, like much of Esther, beautifully illustrates how God works in the "background" of human affairs. While not overtly intervening with miracles, His subtle orchestration of events, down to Haman's ego and the king's insomnia, powerfully demonstrates His providential control over all things, fulfilling His redemptive plan for His people.

Esther 6 7 Commentary

Esther 6:7 is a masterful stroke of narrative genius, pivotal for understanding the profound reversal of fortunes central to the Book of Esther. Haman's answer is driven entirely by his inflated ego and overwhelming ambition. He hears the king's general query, "What shall be done for the man whom the king delighteth to honor?", and without a moment's hesitation, interprets it as exclusively pertaining to himself. His immediate internal jump from a general question to a specific, self-aggrandizing response demonstrates a profound psychological blindness, a characteristic often associated with hubris. He is so consumed by his own status, perceived importance, and desire for ultimate recognition that it is unfathomable to him that anyone else in the kingdom could be considered for such unique honor. This verse dramatically highlights the unseen hand of divine providence. God, who is not explicitly named in Esther, works through the mundane and even the malevolent—a sleepless night, a random reading of chronicles, and Haman's overwhelming pride—to orchestrate events. Haman, in his answer, unwittingly designs the very parade and royal attire that will bring public glory to his despised enemy, Mordecai, thus setting in motion his own inevitable downfall and the deliverance of the Jewish people. It stands as a vivid testament to the principle that pride goes before destruction, and God's sovereignty can even utilize the arrogance of His adversaries to achieve His purposes.