King James Version

What Does Esther 6:9 Mean?

Esther 6:9 in the King James Version says “And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the... — study this verse from Esther chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. bring: Heb. cause him to ride

Esther 6:9 · KJV


Context

7

And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, whom the king: Heb. in whose honour the king delighteth

8

Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: Let: Heb. Let them bring the royal apparel which the king: Heb. wherewith the king clotheth himself

9

And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. bring: Heb. cause him to ride

10

Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. let: Heb. suffer not a whit to fall

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, Haman envisions one of the empire's highest officials (sarei hamelekh, שָׂרֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ, "princes of the king") serving as his attendant. The role reversal Haman imagines—a noble prince attending him—will become crushing reality when he himself must serve Mordecai.

That they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, The Hebrew rehov ha'ir (רְחוֹב הָעִיר, "street of the city") indicates the main thoroughfare of Shushan where maximum public visibility occurs. The procession design ensures empire-wide knowledge of royal favor. And proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. The proclamation formula (ko ye'aseh, כֹּה יֵעָשֶׂה, "thus it shall be done") makes this official royal policy, not private favor. The fourfold repetition of "whom the king delighteth to honour" (verses 6, 7, 9, 11) hammers home the theme of divine reversal. Haman designs an honor he will proclaim for his mortal enemy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient victory processions and honor ceremonies included public proclamation, display of royal symbols, and prominent routing through main streets. Roman triumphal processions, Persian royal entries, and Near Eastern victory parades all featured elaborate public display designed to maximize visibility and establish precedent. The requirement that a noble prince personally lead the honored person elevates the ceremony beyond mere recognition to a demonstration of the empire's hierarchical structure honoring the recipient. Archaeological evidence from Persian reliefs shows similar processions with crowned horses, elaborately dressed figures, and attendants. The street of Shushan would have been the main thoroughfare connecting the royal citadel to the lower city, ensuring both elite and common witnesses to this honor. The public proclamation created official record and prevented later dispute about the king's will.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the elaborate public nature of this honor contrast with Jesus's teaching on humble, private good works (Matthew 6:1-4)?
  2. What does Haman's detailed fantasy reveal about how pride misconstrues God's purposes and provisions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וְנָת֨וֹן1 of 30

be delivered

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

הַלְּב֜וּשׁ2 of 30

And let this apparel

H3830

a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife

הַסּוּס֙3 of 30

and horse

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

עַל4 of 30
H5921

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

יַד5 of 30

to the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לָאִ֔ישׁ6 of 30

of one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִשָּׂרֵ֤י7 of 30

princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ8 of 30

of the king's

H4428

a king

הַֽפַּרְתְּמִ֔ים9 of 30

most noble

H6579

a grandee

וְהִלְבִּ֙ישׁוּ֙10 of 30

that they may array

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

אֶת11 of 30
H853

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

לָאִ֔ישׁ12 of 30

of one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 30
H834

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

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ14 of 30

of the king's

H4428

a king

חָפֵ֥ץ15 of 30

delighteth

H2654

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

בִּֽיקָרֽוֹ׃16 of 30

to honour

H3366

value, i.e., (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity

וְהִרְכִּיבֻ֤הוּ17 of 30

and bring

H7392

to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch

עַל18 of 30
H5921

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

הַסּוּס֙19 of 30

and horse

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

בִּרְח֣וֹב20 of 30

through the street

H7339

a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area

הָעִ֔יר21 of 30

of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וְקָֽרְא֣וּ22 of 30

and proclaim

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְפָנָ֔יו23 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

כָּ֚כָה24 of 30
H3602

just so, referring to the previous or following context

יֵֽעָשֶׂ֣ה25 of 30

him Thus shall it be done

H6213

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

לָאִ֔ישׁ26 of 30

of one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר27 of 30
H834

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

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ28 of 30

of the king's

H4428

a king

חָפֵ֥ץ29 of 30

delighteth

H2654

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

בִּֽיקָרֽוֹ׃30 of 30

to honour

H3366

value, i.e., (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity


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 6:9 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 6:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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