King James Version

What Does Esther 5:14 Mean?

Esther 5:14 in the King James Version says “Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak ... — study this verse from Esther chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. gallows: Heb. tree

Esther 5:14 · KJV


Context

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.

13

Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

14

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. gallows: Heb. tree


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Zeresh and Haman's friends proposed building a gallows 50 cubits (approximately 75 feet) high for hanging Mordecai, then requesting royal permission next day. The extraordinary height ensured maximum visibility and humiliation—the entire city would witness Mordecai's execution. Haman could then attend Esther's banquet "merrily," his grievance satisfied. The advice "pleased Haman," and he immediately built the gallows. This decision sealed his doom—the gallows intended for Mordecai will instead execute Haman (7:9-10). The ironic justice is perfect: the instrument of intended murder becomes the means of the murderer's judgment. Proverbs 26:27 warns: "Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein."

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 50-cubit (75-foot) gallows was extraordinarily high—far beyond practical necessity, serving purely to maximize visibility and humiliation. Ancient executions often served as public spectacles demonstrating authority and warning against similar crimes. Impalement or hanging was common Persian execution method for serious crimes. The advice to build the gallows before securing permission shows Haman's confidence in his influence and the king's compliance. The immediate construction demonstrates Haman's impulsive rashness—acting on advice without considering consequences. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Near Eastern public executions used visible locations and methods to maximize impact on population.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the gallows becoming the instrument of Haman's own execution demonstrate divine justice and irony?
  2. What does Haman's immediate action on bad advice teach about pride's tendency toward rash, destructive decisions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
אֱמֹ֣ר1 of 30

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֩2 of 30
H0
זֶ֨רֶשׁ3 of 30

Zeresh

H2238

zeresh, haman's wife

אִשְׁתּ֜וֹ4 of 30

his wife

H802

a woman

וְכָל5 of 30
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֹֽהֲבָ֗יו6 of 30

and all his friends

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ7 of 30

and he caused

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הָעֵֽץ׃8 of 30

the gallows

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

גָּבֹ֣הַּ9 of 30

high

H1364

elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant

חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים10 of 30

of fifty

H2572

fifty

אַמָּה֒11 of 30

cubits

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

וּבַבֹּ֣קֶר׀12 of 30

and to morrow

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

אֱמֹ֣ר13 of 30

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ14 of 30

thou unto the king

H4428

a king

וְיִתְל֤וּ15 of 30

may be hanged

H8518

to suspend (especially to gibbet)

אֶֽת16 of 30
H853

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

מָרְדֳּכַי֙17 of 30

that Mordecai

H4782

mordecai, an israelite

עָלָ֔יו18 of 30
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וּבֹֽא19 of 30

thereon then go

H935

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

עִם20 of 30
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ21 of 30

thou unto the king

H4428

a king

אֶל22 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֖ה23 of 30

unto the banquet

H4960

drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast

שָׂמֵ֑חַ24 of 30

thou in merrily

H8056

blithe or gleeful

וַיִּיטַ֧ב25 of 30

pleased

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

הַדָּבָ֛ר26 of 30

And the thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

לִפְנֵ֥י27 of 30
H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָמָ֖ן28 of 30

Haman

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ29 of 30

and he caused

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הָעֵֽץ׃30 of 30

the gallows

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)


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 5:14 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 5:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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