Esther 6:5
What does Esther 6:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 6:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 6:5 means
The servants announce Haman’s presence, and the king welcomes him in. Neither the king nor Haman knows how precarious this moment is. To the king, Haman is a high official ready to advise; to Haman, this is the perfect time to pursue his personal vendetta. The invitation, “Let him come in,” grants Haman access, but not control. He becomes the unwitting instrument of the king’s plan to honor Mordecai. This verse shows how positions of power can become positions of service against one’s own designs. The pieces are in place: the king’s need to honor, Haman’s desire to be honored, and Mordecai’s forgotten merit.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the king's servants said to him, See, Haman is waiting in the outer room. And the king said, Let him come in.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the servants of the king say unto him, `Lo, Haman is standing in the court;' and the king saith, `Let him come in.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The servants answered: Aman standeth in the court, and the king said: Let him come in.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the king's servants said to him, Behold, Haman is standing in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
Context
The narrative tightens. With Haman admitted, the stage is set for the decisive question. What follows depends on Haman’s response, shaped by his proud heart and ignorance of the king’s intent. The king’s neutrality and Haman’s presumption will cross, producing the humiliating twist to come. The next verse reveals the question that exposes Haman’s vanity.
v.4And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
v.5This passage
v.6So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor? Now Haman said in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?