Esther 3:2

Translations

Modern

All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.

Traditional

And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

Literal

And all the servants of the king who were at the gate of the king were bowing and prostrating themselves to Haman, for thus the king had commanded concerning him; and Mordecai would not bow and would not prostrate himself.

Latin

Cunctique servi regis, qui in foribus palatii versabantur, flectebant genua, et adorabant Aman: sic enim præceperat eis imperator: solus Mardochæus non flectebat genu, neque adorabat eum.

Original

Hebrew

English

All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.

Notes

Esther 3:2

People often bowed to those in higher positions (for example, Genesis 33:3). Mordecai worked at the palace's main gate, and Haman entered the king’s court through this gate. This gave Mordecai many chances to disobey the king's order by not bowing to Haman.

Esther 3:1–15

Haman's hatred for Mordecai grows into a plan to kill all the Jewish people.

Theme notes and profiles

The Amalekites Ethnic Hatred

Related verses

Esther 3:5
When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage.
Esther 5:9
That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.
Esther 2:21
In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, grew angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
Psalm 15:4
…who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,
Esther 2:19
When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.
Exodus 17:14
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”
Deuteronomy 25:19
When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!
Exodus 17:16
“Indeed,” he said, “a hand was lifted up toward the throne of the LORD. The LORD will war against Amalek from generation to generation.”
Genesis 41:43
He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, with men calling out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.
Esther 3:1
After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.
Philippians 2:10
…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
1 Samuel 15:3
Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

People

Haman: A Persian official who plotted to destroy the Jews Mordecai: Esther's cousin, a Jewish leader in the Persian court

Glossary

Book of Esther Hammedatha

Topics

Decision: Mordecai Homage: Princes King: Chief officers of The Chief Ruler

Esther 3:2

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