Esther 6:13
And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְסַפֵּ֨ר
told
H5608
וַיְסַפֵּ֨ר
told
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
1 of 30
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
וּלְכָל
H3605
וּלְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֹ֣הֲבָ֔יו
and all his friends
H157
אֹ֣הֲבָ֔יו
and all his friends
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
6 of 30
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 30
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
קָרָ֑הוּ
every thing that had befallen
H7136
קָרָ֑הוּ
every thing that had befallen
Strong's:
H7136
Word #:
10 of 30
to light upon (chiefly by accident); specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)
חֲכָמָ֜יו
his wise men
H2450
חֲכָמָ֜יו
his wise men
Strong's:
H2450
Word #:
13 of 30
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
אִ֣ם
H518
אִ֣ם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
16 of 30
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
מִזֶּ֣רַע
be of the seed
H2233
מִזֶּ֣רַע
be of the seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
17 of 30
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים
of the Jews
H3064
הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים
of the Jews
Strong's:
H3064
Word #:
18 of 30
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
20 of 30
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַחִלּ֨וֹתָ
whom thou hast begun
H2490
הַחִלּ֨וֹתָ
whom thou hast begun
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
21 of 30
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
תִּפּ֖וֹל
against him but shalt surely
H5307
תִּפּ֖וֹל
against him but shalt surely
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
22 of 30
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
לְפָנָֽיו׃
before
H6440
לְפָנָֽיו׃
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
23 of 30
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
24 of 30
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תוּכַ֣ל
thou shalt not prevail
H3201
תוּכַ֣ל
thou shalt not prevail
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
25 of 30
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
27 of 30
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִּפּ֖וֹל
against him but shalt surely
H5307
תִּפּ֖וֹל
against him but shalt surely
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
28 of 30
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
Cross References
Proverbs 28:18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.Hosea 14:9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.Genesis 40:19Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.Genesis 41:8And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.Daniel 2:12For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.Job 16:2I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.Job 15:24Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern peoples recognized various nations' patron deities and their power to protect their people. Zeresh and Haman's advisors apparently knew enough Jewish history—Exodus deliverance, conquest victories, exile survival—to recognize that opposing Jews meant facing their God. This awareness appears elsewhere in Scripture (Exodus 15:14-16; Joshua 2:9-11; Daniel 6:26-27). The statement "thou shalt surely fall" uses emphatic Hebrew construction indicating certainty. That even Haman's closest associates recognized his doom demonstrates how clearly God's hand had turned against him. Their earlier advice (5:14) set his destruction in motion; their current advice recognizes it's too late to prevent.
Questions for Reflection
- How does even pagan recognition of divine protection for Jews demonstrate God's reputation among nations?
- What does the too-late wisdom teach about the consequences of pride-driven decisions that cannot be undone?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. Haman reported his humiliation to wife and friends who had advised building the gallows (5:14). Their response is remarkable: they recognize that Mordecai's Jewish identity means Haman "shalt surely fall before him." This acknowledgment of Jewish divine protection from pagans demonstrates widespread awareness of Israel's God defending His people. The phrase "thou hast begun to fall" recognizes the reversal has commenced and will continue to completion. Their prophecy proves accurate—within hours, Haman will be executed. Zeresh's wisdom comes too late; the counsel to build gallows set irreversible destruction in motion.