King James Version

What Does Esther 7:9 Mean?

Esther 7:9 in the King James Version says “And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had... — study this verse from Esther chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Esther 7:9 · KJV


Context

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
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. Harbonah informed the king about Haman's 75-foot gallows prepared for Mordecai. The revelation that Mordecai—who saved the king's life (2:21-23; 6:2)—was Haman's intended victim added to the outrage. Harbonah's mention of Mordecai having "spoken good for the king" emphasized this injustice. The king's immediate command "Hang him thereon" sealed Haman's fate with perfect poetic justice—execution on his own gallows. This fulfills Proverbs 26:27: "Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein." The instrument of intended murder becomes the means of the murderer's judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Harbonah, one of the seven eunuchs who served the king (1:10), apparently knew about both the gallows and Mordecai's service. His intervention suggests palace officials recognized Haman's injustice and seized opportunity to expose it. The 50-cubit (75-foot) height made the gallows highly visible from the palace, explaining Harbonah's knowledge. That execution occurred immediately demonstrates Persian justice's swift nature once the king decided. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Near Eastern executions could proceed very rapidly after condemnation, particularly for high-profile cases threatening the king or royal family.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Haman's execution on his own gallows demonstrate divine justice's perfect irony and poetic nature?
  2. What does Harbonah's intervention teach about how God uses multiple human agents to accomplish His purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר1 of 29

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

חַ֠רְבוֹנָה2 of 29

And Harbonah

H2726

charbona or charbonah, a eunuch of xerxes

אֶחָ֨ד3 of 29

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מִן4 of 29
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַסָּֽרִיסִ֜ים5 of 29

of the chamberlains

H5631

a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state

לִפְנֵ֣י6 of 29

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

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ7 of 29

Then the king

H4428

a king

גַּ֣ם8 of 29
H1571

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

הִנֵּֽה9 of 29
H2009

lo!

הָעֵ֣ץ10 of 29

Behold also the gallows

H6086

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

אֲשֶׁר11 of 29
H834

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

עָשָׂ֪ה12 of 29

had made

H6213

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

הָמָ֔ן13 of 29

of Haman

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

לְֽמָרְדֳּכַ֞י14 of 29

for Mordecai

H4782

mordecai, an israelite

אֲשֶׁ֧ר15 of 29
H834

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

דִּבֶּר16 of 29

who had spoken

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

ט֣וֹב17 of 29

good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

עַל18 of 29
H5921

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

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ19 of 29

Then the king

H4428

a king

עֹמֵד֙20 of 29

standeth

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בְּבֵ֣ית21 of 29

in the house

H1004

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

הָמָ֔ן22 of 29

of Haman

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

גָּבֹ֖הַּ23 of 29

high

H1364

elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant

חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים24 of 29

fifty

H2572

fifty

אַמָּ֑ה25 of 29

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)

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר26 of 29

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ27 of 29

Then the king

H4428

a king

תְּלֻ֥הוּ28 of 29

Hang

H8518

to suspend (especially to gibbet)

עָלָֽיו׃29 of 29
H5921

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


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 7:9 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 7:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study