Old Testament
Esther 5:14
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Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, "Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak to the king that Mordecai may be hanged on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet." And the thing pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.
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Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
What Esther 5:14 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this moment, Haman is filled with anger and jealousy towards Mordecai, who refuses to bow to him. His wife, Zeresh, and his friends suggest a drastic solution: build a gallows to hang Mordecai. They propose that Haman should approach the king the next day to request this execution. The idea excites Haman, who feels it will solve his problem and allow him to enjoy the banquet with the king without worry. This scene highlights Haman's deep-seated pride and desire for revenge. It shows how easily people can be swayed by negative influences, leading them to make harmful decisions. Haman's eagerness to act on this advice reveals the destructive power of unchecked emotions and the lengths to which he will go to assert his authority. This moment sets the stage for the unfolding drama, where Haman's plans will ultimately backfire, illustrating the theme of justice and the consequences of evil intentions. Haman's confidence in his plan foreshadows the unexpected twists that are about to come.
How to apply Esther 5:14 to your life
Consider the influences in your life. Are they leading you towards positive actions or negative ones? Reflect on how your emotions can drive your decisions. Choose to surround yourself with people who encourage kindness and wisdom, rather than those who promote harmful ideas. Your choices matter greatly in shaping your future and relationships.
Curated for this public verse page. Esther Summary
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Illustrated scene from Esther's story: Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 2:1–18)
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Esther
Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.
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At a Glance — the Book of Esther
- Author
- Author unknown
- Written
- Around 460-330 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- Jews of the Persian diaspora
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Esther 5:14 mean?
Esther 5:14 describes Haman's anger towards Mordecai and the advice he receives from his wife and friends to build gallows for Mordecai's execution. This moment highlights Haman's pride and desire for revenge, setting the stage for the unfolding conflict in the story.
What is the significance of the gallows in Esther 5:14?
The gallows in Esther 5:14 symbolize Haman's extreme response to perceived disrespect from Mordecai. It represents the lengths to which Haman will go to assert his authority and eliminate his enemies, illustrating themes of jealousy and revenge.
What does Zeresh suggest in Esther 5:14?
In Esther 5:14, Zeresh suggests that Haman build a gallows fifty cubits high to hang Mordecai. This advice reflects the negative influence of her and Haman's friends, encouraging Haman's vengeful feelings.
What emotions drive Haman's actions in Esther 5:14?
Haman's actions in Esther 5:14 are driven by anger, jealousy, and pride. His desire for revenge against Mordecai for not bowing to him leads him to consider extreme measures.
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