King James Version

What Does Esther 5:10 Mean?

Esther 5:10 in the King James Version says “Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. ca...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. called: Heb. caused to come”

Esther 5:10 · KJV

Context

8

If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said. perform: Heb. do

9

Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

10

Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. called: Heb. caused to come

11

And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

12

Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. Despite his rage at Mordecai (v. 9), Haman "refrained himself" from immediate violence, maintaining public composure until reaching home. Once there, he summoned friends and wife Zeresh to share his grievance and seek counsel. This gathering will produce the disastrous advice to build gallows for Mordecai (v. 14), sealing Haman's doom. The narrative pattern is clear: Haman's pride leads to rage, rage to counsel-seeking, counsel to overreach, and overreach to destruction. His inability to control his emotional responses and his tendency to escalate grievances prove fatal. Pride's trajectory leads inexorably to destruction (Proverbs 16:18).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern customs included gathering friends and family for counsel in important matters. Haman's consultation demonstrates both his pride (needing validation and advice for dealing with perceived insult) and his political isolation (relying on wife and friends rather than wise advisors). The gathering of household and friends created echo chamber reinforcing his worst impulses rather than providing genuinely wise counsel. This pattern appears throughout Scripture—pride seeks counsel that validates rather than corrects, leading to catastrophic decisions. Archaeological evidence shows ancient households included extended family, servants, and dependents creating communities that could gather for such consultations.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Haman's pattern of responding to rage through escalation illustrate pride's destructive trajectory?
  2. What does his seeking validation rather than wisdom teach about the danger of pride-driven counsel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיִּתְאַפַּ֣ק1 of 12

“refrained”

H662

to contain, i.e., (reflexive) abstain

הָמָ֔ן2 of 12

“Nevertheless Haman”

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

וַיָּבֵ֥א3 of 12

“and called”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל4 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּית֑וֹ5 of 12

“home”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וַיִּשְׁלַ֛ח6 of 12

“he sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וַיָּבֵ֥א7 of 12

“and called”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת8 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֹֽהֲבָ֖יו9 of 12

“for his friends”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

וְאֶת10 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

זֶ֥רֶשׁ11 of 12

“and Zeresh”

H2238

zeresh, haman's wife

אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃12 of 12

“his wife”

H802

a woman

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Esther. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Esther 5:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Esther 5:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 6:13Ecclesiastes 7:9Genesis 43:30-312 Samuel 13:22-23Genesis 45:1

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