Esther 6:13 - Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him.”

Generated Verse: Esther 6:13

What does "Esther 6:13" mean?


This verse from Esther 6:13 is a pivotal moment in the story of Esther. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him." This refers to the humiliating event in the previous verses (Esther 6:1-12) where Haman was ordered by King Ahasuerus to publicly honor Mordecai, the very man Haman despised and planned to kill. He's venting about this utter reversal of fortune.

"Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him..." Haman seeks counsel from his advisors and his wife Zeresh. This highlights the importance of advisors in decision-making, even for powerful figures.

"...“If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him.”" This is the crucial piece. They are essentially saying:

"If Mordecai...is of Jewish descent..." This implies they recognize that Mordecai's Jewish identity is a significant factor. There may be an underlying belief in the power or protection afforded to the Jewish people by their God. Perhaps they've witnessed it in the past or heard stories of their resilience.
"...you have begun to fall..." They recognize that the public humiliation of honoring Mordecai is more than just a setback for Haman. It's a sign that his power and fortunes are waning. The term "to fall" suggests a downward trajectory, a loss of standing and influence.
"...you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him.”" This is a prophecy of sorts. They believe that if Mordecai is Jewish, Haman's efforts to destroy him and his people are doomed to fail. They foresee a complete and utter defeat for Haman. They acknowledge some power is helping Mordecai.

In summary:

The verse reveals the growing fear and unease surrounding Haman's situation. His advisors and wife interpret the honoring of Mordecai as a turning point. They suspect that Mordecai's Jewish identity might be a source of strength and protection, and they believe Haman is destined to lose in his conflict with him. This prediction underscores the theme of divine providence in the Book of Esther – the idea that God is working behind the scenes to protect His people. This is the turning point for Haman as his advisors and his wife foretold his fall.