Esther 7:8
What does Esther 7:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 7:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 7:8 means
The king returns to a compromising scene: Haman has collapsed on Esther’s couch. Whether in panic or supplication, the posture violates courtly decorum. The king interprets it as a sexual assault—“Will he even force the queen before me in the house?”—compounding treason with outrage. As his words leave his mouth, officials cover Haman’s face, a sign he is condemned and will see the king’s face no longer. The attempt to gain mercy from Esther becomes further evidence of guilt. Judgment accelerates. The verse underlines how evil, once tottering, often condemns itself by reckless acts born of fear.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he even force the queen before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he even force the queen before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then the king came back from the garden into the room where they had been drinking; and Haman was stretched out on the seat where Esther was. Then the king said, Is he taking the queen by force before my eyes in my house? And while the words were on the king's lips, they put a cloth over Haman's face.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the king hath turned back out of the garden of the house unto the house of the banquet of wine, and Haman is falling on the couch on which Esther <FI>is<Fi> , and the king saith, `Also to subdue the queen with me in the house?' the word hath gone out from the mouth of the king, and the face of Haman they have covered.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when the king came back out of the garden set with trees, and entered into the place of the banquet, he found Aman was fallen upon the bed on which Esther lay, and he said: He will force the queen also in my presence, in my own house. The word was not yet gone out of the king's mouth, and immediately they covered his face.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the king returned out of the palace garden into the house of the banquet of wine, and Haman was fallen upon the couch on which Esther was. And the king said, Will he even force the queen before me in the house? The word went forth out of the king's mouth, and they covered Haman's face.
Context
This decisive scene follows the king’s brief absence and Haman’s frantic appeal. The king’s interpretation forecloses any possibility of clemency. Immediately, protocol shifts: Haman is now a condemned man. The following verse will introduce Harbonah’s revelation about the gallows built for Mordecai, adding ironic proof of Haman’s malice. The pace from here to the end is swift, moving from condemnation to execution with little delay, highlighting the completeness of the reversal.
v.7And the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
v.8This passage
v.9Then said Harbonah, one of the chamberlains that were before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman hath made for Mordecai, who spake good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. And the king said, Hang him thereon.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 49:23
And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah; and they that wait for me shall not be put to shame.
- Job 9:24
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covereth the faces of the judges thereof: Ifit benothe, who then is it?
- Esther 1:6
There were hangings of white cloth, of green, and of blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the couches were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and white, and yellow, and black marble.
- Esther 6:12
And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house, mourning and having his head covered.
- Isaiah 22:17
Behold, Jehovah, like a strong man, will hurl thee away violently; yea, he will wrap thee up closely.