King James Version

What Does Esther 7:8 Mean?

Esther 7:8 in the King James Version says “Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed... — study this verse from Esther chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. before me: Heb. with me

Esther 7:8 · KJV


Context

6

And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. The adversary: Heb. The man adversary before: or, at the presence of

7

And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

8

Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. before me: Heb. with me

9

And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. gallows: Heb. tree

10

So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. When the king returned, he found Haman fallen on Esther's couch—either prostrate in supplication or accidentally fallen while pleading. The king interpreted this as assault—"Will he force the queen?"—adding sexual violence to Haman's crimes. The phrase "before me in the house" emphasizes outrage at such audacity in the king's presence and home. The servants immediately covering Haman's face indicates condemned status—covering faces marked those sentenced to death. This final accusation, though possibly misunderstood, sealed Haman's fate. Providence uses even miscommunication to accomplish justice.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern protocols strictly regulated access to royal women. Any perceived sexual impropriety toward the queen warranted death. Haman's physical proximity to Esther, though likely innocent supplication, appeared incriminating to the angry king. Covering the face of condemned criminals appears in various ancient sources as marking death sentence. Servants' immediate action demonstrates they recognized the king's question as final condemnation. The rapid transition from Haman's plea to his covering shows how quickly ancient justice could move from accusation to execution. Archaeological evidence confirms strict protocols governing royal women's interactions with male courtiers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the covering of Haman's face demonstrate how quickly judgment can fall when God's time for justice arrives?
  2. What does this incident teach about how circumstances can compound against the wicked when divine justice operates?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ1 of 30

Then the king

H4428

a king

שָׁב֩2 of 30

returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מִגִּנַּ֨ת3 of 30

garden

H1594

a garden

הַבִּיתָ֜ן4 of 30

out of the palace

H1055

a palace (i.e., large house)

אֶל5 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בַּבָּ֑יִת6 of 30

also before me in the house

H1004

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

מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה7 of 30

of the banquet

H4960

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

הַיַּ֗יִן8 of 30

of wine

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

הָמָ֖ן9 of 30

Haman's

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

נֹפֵ֔ל10 of 30

was fallen

H5307

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

עַל11 of 30
H5921

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

הַמִּטָּה֙12 of 30

upon the bed

H4296

a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier

אֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 30
H834

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

אֶסְתֵּ֣ר14 of 30

whereon Esther

H635

ester, the jewish heroine

עָלֶ֔יהָ15 of 30
H5921

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר16 of 30

was Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ17 of 30

Then the king

H4428

a king

הֲ֠גַם18 of 30
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

לִכְבּ֧וֹשׁ19 of 30

Will he force

H3533

to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate

אֶת20 of 30
H853

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

הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה21 of 30

the queen

H4436

a queen

עִמִּ֖י22 of 30
H5973

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

בַּבָּ֑יִת23 of 30

also before me in the house

H1004

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

הַדָּבָ֗ר24 of 30

As the word

H1697

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

יָצָא֙25 of 30

went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִפִּ֣י26 of 30

mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ27 of 30

Then the king

H4428

a king

וּפְנֵ֥י28 of 30

face

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

הָמָ֖ן29 of 30

Haman's

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

חָפֽוּ׃30 of 30

they covered

H2645

to cover; by implication, to veil, to encase, protect


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 7:8 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 7:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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