King James Version

What Does Esther 6:13 Mean?

Esther 6:13 in the King James Version says “And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh ... — study this verse from Esther chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.

Esther 6:13 · KJV


Context

11

Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

12

And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

13

And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.

14

And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. Haman reported his humiliation to wife and friends who had advised building the gallows (5:14). Their response is remarkable: they recognize that Mordecai's Jewish identity means Haman "shalt surely fall before him." This acknowledgment of Jewish divine protection from pagans demonstrates widespread awareness of Israel's God defending His people. The phrase "thou hast begun to fall" recognizes the reversal has commenced and will continue to completion. Their prophecy proves accurate—within hours, Haman will be executed. Zeresh's wisdom comes too late; the counsel to build gallows set irreversible destruction in motion.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern peoples recognized various nations' patron deities and their power to protect their people. Zeresh and Haman's advisors apparently knew enough Jewish history—Exodus deliverance, conquest victories, exile survival—to recognize that opposing Jews meant facing their God. This awareness appears elsewhere in Scripture (Exodus 15:14-16; Joshua 2:9-11; Daniel 6:26-27). The statement "thou shalt surely fall" uses emphatic Hebrew construction indicating certainty. That even Haman's closest associates recognized his doom demonstrates how clearly God's hand had turned against him. Their earlier advice (5:14) set his destruction in motion; their current advice recognizes it's too late to prevent.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does even pagan recognition of divine protection for Jews demonstrate God's reputation among nations?
  2. What does the too-late wisdom teach about the consequences of pride-driven decisions that cannot be undone?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וַיְסַפֵּ֨ר1 of 30

told

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

הָמָ֜ן2 of 30

And Haman

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

וְזֶ֣רֶשׁ3 of 30

Zeresh

H2238

zeresh, haman's wife

אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ4 of 30

his wife

H802

a woman

וּלְכָל5 of 30
H3605

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

אֹ֣הֲבָ֔יו6 of 30

and all his friends

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

אֵ֖ת7 of 30
H853

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

כָּל8 of 30
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 30
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

קָרָ֑הוּ10 of 30

every thing that had befallen

H7136

to light upon (chiefly by accident); specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)

וַיֹּ֩אמְרוּ֩11 of 30

him Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֨וֹ12 of 30
H0
חֲכָמָ֜יו13 of 30

his wise men

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

וְזֶ֣רֶשׁ14 of 30

Zeresh

H2238

zeresh, haman's wife

אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ15 of 30

his wife

H802

a woman

אִ֣ם16 of 30
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

מִזֶּ֣רַע17 of 30

be of the seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים18 of 30

of the Jews

H3064

a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)

מָרְדֳּכַ֞י19 of 30

unto him If Mordecai

H4782

mordecai, an israelite

אֲשֶׁר֩20 of 30
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הַחִלּ֨וֹתָ21 of 30

whom thou hast begun

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

תִּפּ֖וֹל22 of 30

against him but shalt surely

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

לְפָנָֽיו׃23 of 30

before

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

לֹֽא24 of 30
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תוּכַ֣ל25 of 30

thou shalt not prevail

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

ל֔וֹ26 of 30
H0
כִּֽי27 of 30
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תִּפּ֖וֹל28 of 30

against him but shalt surely

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

תִּפּ֖וֹל29 of 30

against him but shalt surely

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

לְפָנָֽיו׃30 of 30

before

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


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 6:13 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 6:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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