Esther 7:9
What does Esther 7:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 7:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 7:9 means
Harbonah, a chamberlain, adds a crucial piece of information: Haman has erected a gallows fifty cubits high for Mordecai, the man who “spake good for the king.” This reminder contrasts Mordecai’s loyalty with Haman’s spite, and underscores the height of Haman’s pride. The evidence is public—standing in Haman’s own house. The king’s command, “Hang him thereon,” fits the biblical theme of retributive justice: the wicked often fall into the trap they set for others. The instrument of intended murder becomes the means of lawful punishment, displaying a moral symmetry that teaches soberly about the end of malice.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Harbonah, one of the unsexed servants waiting before the king, said, See, the pillar fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who said a good word for the king, is still in its place in Haman's house. Then the king said, Put him to death by hanging him on it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, saith before the king, `Also lo, the tree that Haman made for Mordecai, who spake good for the king, is standing in the house of Haman, in height fifty cubits;' and the king saith, `Hang him upon it.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Harbona, one of the eunuchs that stood waiting on the king, said: Behold the gibbet which he hath prepared for Mardochai, who spoke for the king, standeth in Aman's house, being fifty cubits high. And the king said to him: Hang him upon it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold, also, the gallows fifty cubits high, that Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, stands in the house of Haman. And the king said, Hang him on it!
Context
This statement follows Haman’s condemnation and supplies both pretext and place for immediate execution. By invoking Mordecai’s past service to the king, Harbonah sharpens the contrast and strengthens the case for swift justice. The king’s order leaves no room for further delay or appeal. The next verse will record the fulfillment of that command and the calming of the king’s wrath, closing the chapter’s dramatic arc of exposure, condemnation, and reversal.
v.8Then 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.
v.9This passage
v.10So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 141:10
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, Whilst that I withal escape.
- Psalms 9:15
The nations are sunk down in the pit that they made: In the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
- Psalms 73:19
How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.
- Daniel 6:7
All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong interdict, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
- Psalms 7:15
He hath made a pit, and digged it, And is fallen into the ditch which he made.
- Esther 5:14
Then 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.