King James Version

What Does Esther 6:4 Mean?

Esther 6:4 in the King James Version says “And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.”

Esther 6:4 · KJV

Context

2

And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. Bigthana: or, Bigthan door: Heb. threshold

3

And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

4

And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

5

And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.

6

So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? whom the king: Heb. in whose honour the king delighteth

Read Esther 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. Perfect timing creates dramatic irony: just as the king wants to honor Mordecai, Haman arrives to request his execution. The narrative emphasizes simultaneity—the king asks "who is in the court?" at the exact moment Haman enters seeking Mordecai's death. God's providence orchestrates this collision of purposes. Haman comes with murderous intent while the king plans honor. The gallows Haman prepared (5:14) awaits, but divine providence will redirect it to its builder. This verse demonstrates how God coordinates timing and circumstances to create perfect reversals.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Haman's early arrival (apparently before dawn, given chapter 6 occurs the night of the banquet from chapter 5) shows his eagerness to execute Mordecai before the day's banquet. Court protocol allowed high officials access to outer courts even at early hours. That the king was awake (due to insomnia, v. 1) and immediately available demonstrates providential timing. The simultaneous arrival of Haman seeking death and the king planning honor creates the narrative's dramatic peak. Ancient audiences would have recognized this as divinely orchestrated reversal—circumstances aligning too perfectly to be coincidental.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the perfect timing of these events demonstrate God's sovereignty in coordinating circumstances for His purposes?
  2. What does this teach about how divine providence works through apparently coincidental alignments of timing and circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
לֵאמֹ֣ר1 of 20

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ2 of 20

“And the king”

H4428

a king

מִ֣י3 of 20
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

לַֽחֲצַ֤ר4 of 20

“Who is in the court”

H2691

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

וְהָמָ֣ן5 of 20

“Now Haman”

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

בָּ֗א6 of 20

“was come”

H935

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

לַֽחֲצַ֤ר7 of 20

“Who is in the court”

H2691

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

בֵּית8 of 20

“house”

H1004

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

לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ9 of 20

“And the king”

H4428

a king

הַחִ֣יצוֹנָ֔ה10 of 20

“into the outward”

H2435

properly, the (outer) wall side; hence, exterior; figuratively, secular (as opposed to sacred)

לֵאמֹ֣ר11 of 20

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ12 of 20

“And the king”

H4428

a king

לִתְלוֹת֙13 of 20

“to hang”

H8518

to suspend (especially to gibbet)

אֶֽת14 of 20
H853

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

מָרְדֳּכַ֔י15 of 20

“Mordecai”

H4782

mordecai, an israelite

עַל16 of 20
H5921

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

הָעֵ֖ץ17 of 20

“on the gallows”

H6086

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

אֲשֶׁר18 of 20
H834

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

הֵכִ֥ין19 of 20

“that he had prepared”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

לֽוֹ׃20 of 20
H0

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 6:4 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 6:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 5:14Esther 4:11Psalms 2:4Esther 5:1Esther 7:9Esther 3:8-11

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