Esther 5:10
What does Esther 5:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 5:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 5:10 means
Though inflamed with wrath, Haman composes his face and goes home. There he gathers an audience—his friends and his wife Zeresh. The restraint is tactical, not virtuous; he seeks a sympathetic circle to magnify his honor and validate his grievance. This move reveals how the proud curate their company to echo their desires. Instead of confronting his disproportionate anger, Haman prepares to feed it with applause and counsel that will suit his malice. The stage is set for self-congratulation on the one hand and a ruthless plan on the other, both born from a heart unquieted by all its privileges.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and went home; and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and went home; and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But controlling himself, he went to his house; and he sent for his friends and Zeresh, his wife.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Haman forceth himself, and cometh in unto his house, and sendeth, and bringeth in his friends, and Zeresh his wife,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But dissembling his anger, and returning into his house, he called together to him his friends, and Zares his wife:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Haman controlled himself, and came home; and he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
Context
Following his encounter with Mordecai in verse 9, Haman withdraws to a private setting where he can control the narrative. The next two verses show him recounting his wealth and promotions, climaxing in the exclusive invitation from Esther. Only then does he unveil the grievance that nullifies his joys, paving the way for his advisors’ deadly suggestion in verse 14.
v.9Then 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.
v.10This passage
v.11And Haman recounted unto them the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
- Esther 6:13
And Haman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
- 2 Samuel 13:22
And Absalom spake unto Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
- Genesis 43:30
And Joseph made haste; for his heart yearned over his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
- Genesis 45:1
Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.