Esther 5:9
What does Esther 5:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 5:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 5:9 means
Haman leaves the palace elated—his pride swollen by proximity to the king and queen. But one sight undoes his joy: Mordecai neither rises nor shows fear. Haman’s honor is brittle; a single man’s integrity becomes a thorn in his side. His anger reveals a heart that craves worship, not merely respect. The contrast is stark: Esther risks herself for others, while Haman, though exalted, is mastered by slight and seethes against a faithful Jew. The verse shows how pride turns blessings into baited hooks—what should satisfy instead breeds fury when absolute deference is denied.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then on that day Haman went out full of joy and glad in heart; but when he saw Mordecai in the king's doorway, and he did not get to his feet or give any sign of fear before him, Haman was full of wrath against Mordecai.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Haman goeth forth on that day rejoicing and glad in heart, and at Haman's seeing Mordecai in the gate of the king, and he hath not risen nor moved for him, then is Haman full of fury against Mordecai.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752So Aman went out that day joyful and merry. And when he saw Mardochai sitting before the gate of the palace, and that he not only did not rise up to honour him, but did not so much as move from the place where he sat, he was exceedingly angry:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Haman went 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 full of fury against Mordecai.
Context
This scene follows the promise of a second banquet and shifts the camera from Esther’s wisdom to Haman’s vanity. Haman’s initial joy is quickly soured, preparing for his next actions. In verse 10 he restrains himself outwardly and turns homeward, where his inner turmoil will erupt into boasting and scheming, setting up the counsel that leads to the construction of the gallows.
v.8If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the king hath said.
v.9This passage
v.10Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and went home; and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 2:16
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men.
- Luke 6:25
Woe unto you, ye that are full now! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you, ye that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
- Esther 3:5
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
- James 4:9
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
- Acts 7:54
Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
- Esther 2:19
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate.