Esther 6:7
And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Persian court protocol demanded elaborate formality in addressing the king. Royal audiences followed strict patterns: waiting for royal recognition, repeating key phrases from the king's question, and structuring responses according to hierarchical conventions. Courtiers competed for royal favor through flattery, conspicuous service, and positioning themselves for rewards. Haman, as second-in-command (3:1), had reached the pinnacle of secular success—yet his pride demanded more. The protocol of repeating the king's phrase "whom the king delighteth to honour" reflects documented Persian court language emphasizing the king's personal pleasure and will as the source of all favor and authority.
Questions for Reflection
- How can we guard against Haman's assumption that God's questions or opportunities are about our advancement?
- What does this dramatic irony teach about God's hidden timing in circumstances that seem to favor the wicked?
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Analysis & Commentary
And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, Haman begins his response with the exact phrase the king used, creating dramatic tension. The threefold repetition of "whom the king delighteth to honour" (verses 6, 7, 9, 11) emphasizes the reversal theme. The Hebrew construction with the participle "delighteth" (chafetz, חָפֵץ) indicates ongoing royal pleasure, not temporary whim.
This verse serves as a literary hinge, suspending the narrative between Haman's question in verse 6 and his elaborate proposal in verses 8-9. The brief statement prolongs dramatic irony—the reader knows Haman's fantasy is about to become his nightmare. The formal protocol of Persian address required such preambles, but the repetition of the king's exact words reveals Haman savoring what he assumes is his moment of glory. Providence turns human pride into the instrument of divine justice.