Keraia
Esther 5

Esther 5:14

Haman’s Plot against Mordecai · Esther 5:9–14
Read Esther 5

Translations

Modern
His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows fifty cubits high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.” The advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows constructed.
Traditional
Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow 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.
Literal
And Zeresh his wife said to him, and all his loved ones, “Let them make a tree fifty cubits high, and in the morning say to the king that they should hang Mordecai upon it; and go with the king to the feast joyfully.” And this word was good before the face of Haman, and he made the tree.
Latin
Responderuntque ei Zares uxor ejus, et ceteri amici: Jube parari excelsam trabem, habentem altitudinis quinquaginta cubitos, et dic mane regi ut appendatur super eam Mardochæus, et sic ibis cum rege lætus ad convivium. Placuit ei consilium, et jussit excelsam parari crucem.

Original

Hebrew
English
His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows fifty cubits high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.” The advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows constructed.

Notes

Esther 5:14

  • A sharpened pole was a common execution device (see also Esther 2:23; Genesis 40:19, 22; Joshua 8:29).

  • Seventy-five feet (fifty cubits) is very high, but Haman wanted to make an example of Mordecai, allowing everyone to see his body. The number might be an exaggeration for effect—fifty cubits is a round number—or it might mean a stake placed high on the city wall for public viewing.

Esther 5:9–14

This short pause highlights how deeply Haman hates Mordecai.

Measurements

  • fifty cubits high: About 75 ft (22.9 m)

People

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

Glossary

Book of Esther Feasts and Festivals of Israel Zeresh

Topics

Gallows used for Execution of Criminals Malice: Haman Toward Mordecai Wives: Bad: Zeresh Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Zeresh: Wife of Haman