Esther 5:14 - Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet.” This pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.
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What does "Esther 5:14" mean?
This verse from Esther 5:14 reveals the depth of Haman's pride, hatred, and insecurity, and sets the stage for his ultimate downfall. Let's break it down:
"Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him...": After Haman complains to his wife and friends about his unhappiness despite his high position (Esther 5:9-13), they suggest a solution. This highlights that Haman is not alone in his animosity towards Mordecai; he is surrounded by people who encourage his spiteful impulses.
"...“Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high...": This is a significant detail. Fifty cubits is approximately 75 feet (23 meters). The extreme height of the gallows suggests a few things:
Public Display: Haman wants Mordecai's execution to be a grand spectacle, meant to humiliate Mordecai and serve as a warning to anyone who might defy him.
Exaggerated Rage: The excessive height reflects the intensity of Haman's hatred for Mordecai. He wants to make an example of him in the most dramatic way possible.
Symbol of Power: The towering gallows would be a symbol of Haman's power and authority, showing that he can eliminate anyone who displeases him.
"...and in the morning speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on it.": Haman needs King Ahasuerus' permission to execute Mordecai. This demonstrates that even with all his influence, Haman is still subject to the king's authority. It also shows Haman's arrogance, as he assumes the king will readily agree to his request.
"Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet.”: This reveals the chilling callousness of Haman. He plans to orchestrate Mordecai's death, then proceed to enjoy a banquet with the king, seemingly without a second thought about the injustice he's about to commit.
"This pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.": The verse underscores how easily Haman is swayed by his own pride and the encouragement of his friends. He immediately acts upon the suggestion, demonstrating his impulsiveness and his deep-seated hatred for Mordecai. This sets in motion the events that will lead to his own undoing, as the gallows he builds for Mordecai will ultimately become his own execution site (Esther 7:9-10).
In Summary:
This verse is a pivotal point in the Book of Esther. It shows Haman's escalating wickedness, his susceptibility to flattery and spiteful advice, and his hubris. The construction of the gallows is an act of immense arrogance that foreshadows his downfall. It emphasizes that excessive pride and hatred can lead to one's own destruction.
Esther 5:14 - Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet.” This pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.
What does "Esther 5:14" mean?
This verse from Esther 5:14 reveals the depth of Haman's pride, hatred, and insecurity, and sets the stage for his ultimate downfall. Let's break it down:
"Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him...": After Haman complains to his wife and friends about his unhappiness despite his high position (Esther 5:9-13), they suggest a solution. This highlights that Haman is not alone in his animosity towards Mordecai; he is surrounded by people who encourage his spiteful impulses.
"...“Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high...": This is a significant detail. Fifty cubits is approximately 75 feet (23 meters). The extreme height of the gallows suggests a few things:
Public Display: Haman wants Mordecai's execution to be a grand spectacle, meant to humiliate Mordecai and serve as a warning to anyone who might defy him.
Exaggerated Rage: The excessive height reflects the intensity of Haman's hatred for Mordecai. He wants to make an example of him in the most dramatic way possible.
Symbol of Power: The towering gallows would be a symbol of Haman's power and authority, showing that he can eliminate anyone who displeases him.
"...and in the morning speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on it.": Haman needs King Ahasuerus' permission to execute Mordecai. This demonstrates that even with all his influence, Haman is still subject to the king's authority. It also shows Haman's arrogance, as he assumes the king will readily agree to his request.
"Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet.”: This reveals the chilling callousness of Haman. He plans to orchestrate Mordecai's death, then proceed to enjoy a banquet with the king, seemingly without a second thought about the injustice he's about to commit.
"This pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.": The verse underscores how easily Haman is swayed by his own pride and the encouragement of his friends. He immediately acts upon the suggestion, demonstrating his impulsiveness and his deep-seated hatred for Mordecai. This sets in motion the events that will lead to his own undoing, as the gallows he builds for Mordecai will ultimately become his own execution site (Esther 7:9-10).
In Summary:
This verse is a pivotal point in the Book of Esther. It shows Haman's escalating wickedness, his susceptibility to flattery and spiteful advice, and his hubris. The construction of the gallows is an act of immense arrogance that foreshadows his downfall. It emphasizes that excessive pride and hatred can lead to one's own destruction.