Esther 3:5
What does Esther 3:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 3:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 3:5 means
Haman sees the defiance with his own eyes, and wrath fills him. Pride wounded in public often breeds disproportionate anger. Haman’s fury is not merely about protocol; it is about a perceived assault on his honor. The verse marks a move from irritated hearsay to personal offense: seeing Mordecai unbowed transforms resentment into rage. The danger is clear when such a man holds imperial authority. Anger that cannot bear contradiction will seek to eliminate the source of tension altogether. The narrative prepares us for escalation beyond a reprimand or punishment. Haman’s heart is revealed: he values reverence to himself more than justice or the well-being of others.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not go down before him and give him honour, Haman was full of wrath.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Haman seeth that Mordecai is not bowing and doing obeisance to him, and Haman is full of fury,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now when Aman had heard this, and had proved by experience that Mardochai did not bend his knee to him, nor worship him, he was exceeding angry.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, Haman was full of fury.
Context
After repeated reports, Haman finally witnesses Mordecai’s refusal (vv. 3–4). This sight produces immediate wrath and becomes the catalyst for the plan that follows. Verse 6 shows that Haman deems it too small a thing to strike Mordecai alone; he resolves to destroy all Jews. The narrative shifts from a personal affront to a population-wide threat, driven by Haman’s pride and the power he wields under Ahasuerus.
v.4Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
v.5This passage
v.6But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 5:9
Then went Haman forth that day joyful and glad of heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up nor moved for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.
- Daniel 3:19
Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
- Esther 3:2
And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed down, and did reverence to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence.
- Proverbs 27:3
A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool’s vexation is heavier than they both.
- Proverbs 19:19
A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty; For if thou deliver him, thou must do it yet again.
- Job 5:2
For vexation killeth the foolish man, And jealousy slayeth the silly one.