Esther 5:13
What does Esther 5:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 5:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 5:13 means
Here Haman’s heart is laid bare: with all his riches and rank, he declares it all worthless as long as Mordecai the Jew sits at the gate. One man’s steadfastness ruins his feast of honors. The designation “the Jew” signals the deeper animus driving him; this is not mere personal insult but hatred of a people. Pride turns to bitterness, and bitterness to murderous intent. The verse teaches how discontent grows when we hinge joy on others’ homage. Haman’s soul is captive to a grievance he refuses to release, and it will soon demand blood.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But all this is nothing to me while I see Mordecai the Jew seated by the king's doorway.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and all this is not profitable to me, during all the time that I am seeing Mordecai the Jew sitting in the gate of the king.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And whereas I have all these things, I think I have nothing, so long as I see Mardochai the Jew sitting before the king's gate.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Yet all this is of no avail to me so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
Context
This confession follows Haman’s lengthy boasting in verses 11–12 and explains why he summoned his counselors. It sets the stage for the solution they will suggest: eliminate Mordecai. Verse 14 answers Haman’s complaint with a ruthless plan that flatters his pride and promises quick relief, pushing the plot toward its dark climax on the eve of the second banquet.
v.12Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to-morrow also am I invited by her together with the king.
v.13This passage
v.14Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 15:20
The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, Even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.
- Ecclesiastes 1:2
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
- Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
- 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.
- 1 Kings 21:4
And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
- Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.