Esther 7 6

Esther 7:6 kjv

And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

Esther 7:6 nkjv

And Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!" So Haman was terrified before the king and queen.

Esther 7:6 niv

Esther said, "An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!" Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.

Esther 7:6 esv

And Esther said, "A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!" Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.

Esther 7:6 nlt

Esther replied, "This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy." Haman grew pale with fright before the king and queen.

Esther 7 verses

Esther 7 6 Meaning

Esther 7:6 records Queen Esther's decisive and direct identification of Haman to King Ahasuerus as "the adversary and enemy," a wicked individual who sought to destroy her and her people. This declaration, made in the presence of Haman, exposes his true malicious character and turns the tide of events dramatically.

Esther 7 6 Context

Esther 7:6 occurs at the climactic moment of the second banquet hosted by Queen Esther for King Ahasuerus and Haman. The king, having renewed his promise to grant Esther's petition, presses her for her request. After days of preparation and careful timing, Esther finally unveils the grave danger threatening her and her people, placing the full responsibility squarely on Haman. This public accusation comes after Haman’s arrogance has reached its peak, just hours after he made arrangements to hang Mordecai. The revelation immediately exposes Haman's true character and intent, triggering the king's fury and setting in motion the swift reversal of Haman's fortune.

Esther 7 6 Word analysis

• And Esther said: Indicates the direct, intentional, and culminating declaration from Esther. It signifies the moment of truth.
• "The adversary":
  • Hebrew: ṣar (צַר).
  • Meaning: one who causes distress, an oppressor, a rival, an enemy, especially one who binds or presses. It speaks of aggressive, confining malice. It implies one who actively constricts freedom and causes hardship.
• "and enemy":
  • Hebrew: wə'ōyēḇ (וְאוֹיֵב).
  • Meaning: an enemy in a general sense, one who is hostile or hates. While ṣar focuses on oppressive action, 'ōyēḇ describes the inherent character of animosity. Together, the terms paint a full picture of Haman's antagonistic nature.
• "is this wicked Haman!":
  • Hebrew: hammān hārāʿ hazzeh (הַמָּן הָרָע הַזֶּה).
  • "Haman!": His name is stated explicitly, ensuring no doubt as to the accused party.
  • "wicked": hārāʿ (הָרָע) meaning morally evil, bad, vicious, malicious. The definite article 'ha' ('the') emphasizes that this is the wicked one. It marks him as intrinsically evil, not just an opponent.
  • "this": hazzeh (הַזֶּה) is a demonstrative pronoun that points directly and forcefully. It leaves no room for ambiguity, physically pointing to Haman.

Word-Group analysis

• "The adversary and enemy": The use of two distinct terms (ṣar and 'ōyēḇ) to describe Haman emphasizes the multifaceted nature of his hostility. He is not just a casual foe but one who actively distresses and is inherently opposed. This combination leaves no doubt as to the depth of his malicious intent, intensifying the accusation and painting Haman as a figure of extreme, pervasive evil.
• "is this wicked Haman!": This phrase serves as the decisive unmasking. The specific naming, coupled with the definitive 'the wicked' and the direct 'this' (as if pointing), delivers an immediate and devastating blow. It shatters any pretense Haman held, making his evil character undeniable to the king and demonstrating his treachery, not merely against a foreign people but directly against the queen herself.

Esther 7 6 Bonus section

The profound confrontation in Esther 7:6 echoes the broader biblical theme of the clash between God’s people and their ultimate adversary. Haman, an Agagite, carried the generational hatred of Amalek against Israel, which goes back to their unprovoked attack on Israel during the exodus. In a theological sense, Haman’s character and plot parallel Satan, who is frequently described in Scripture as the adversary and accuser (1 Pet 5:8; Rev 12:10), always seeking to destroy God's covenant people. Esther’s courageous unmasking of Haman reflects a spiritual victory, as evil plans are foiled, and its perpetrator is exposed, demonstrating that pride and wickedness invariably lead to ruin. The irony lies in Haman being ensnared in his own trap, falling onto the very bed he had desired, mirroring the proverb "whoever digs a pit will fall into it" (Prov 26:27).

Esther 7 6 Commentary

Esther 7:6 marks the ultimate revelation in the book, serving as the dramatic pivot point from rising tension to immediate retribution. Esther's carefully planned and courageously executed statement pierces through Haman’s elaborate deception, exposing him as the embodiment of active, oppressive malice. Her words are precise and potent, employing descriptors that vividly portray Haman’s character not merely as an opponent, but as the source of distress and profound evil. This verse underscores that hidden wickedness, no matter how carefully concealed or politically powerful, will ultimately be brought into the light by divine providence operating through human courage. Haman, who plotted so meticulously to exterminate the Jewish people, is now unveiled by the very queen he scorned, signifying the swift and unerring nature of God's justice, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned.