Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative found in the Book of Esther, Haman's anger towards Mordecai serves as a significant turning point in the account of the Jewish people during their exile in Persia. Haman, an Agagite and a high-ranking official in the court of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), becomes incensed when Mordecai, a Jew, refuses to bow down or pay him homage. This incident is pivotal in understanding the destructive nature of unchecked anger and pride.
The account begins in
Esther 3:2, where it is noted that "all the royal officials at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage." Mordecai's refusal is rooted in his Jewish faith, which prohibits idolizing any man, thus setting the stage for Haman's wrath.
Haman's anger is not merely a personal affront but quickly escalates into a genocidal plot against the entire Jewish population within the Persian Empire.
Esther 3:5-6 states, "When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow or pay him homage, he was filled with rage. And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the idea of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all the Jews, Mordecai’s people, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes."
Haman's reaction exemplifies how anger, when fueled by pride and a desire for personal honor, can lead to irrational and extreme actions. His inability to tolerate Mordecai's perceived disrespect blinds him to the moral and ethical implications of his plan. Haman's anger is further exacerbated by his sense of entitlement and his position of power, which he abuses in an attempt to annihilate an entire people.
The narrative continues to unfold as Haman's plot is ultimately thwarted through the courage and wisdom of Queen Esther, Mordecai's cousin, who intercedes on behalf of her people. The account highlights the providence of God in protecting His people and the eventual downfall of Haman, whose anger leads to his own demise.
Esther 7:10 records, "So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided."
Haman's anger serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing pride and wrath to dictate one's actions. It underscores the biblical principle found in
Proverbs 16:18 : "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." The account of Haman and Mordecai is a powerful reminder of the importance of humility, self-control, and the consequences of letting anger fester unchecked.
Nave's Topical Index
Esther 3:5And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... punctually, or be overtaken with hastiness or anger, they presently ... them to be more
like unto proud Haman, than the ... good effect of it: for there because of the ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm
Resources
How can I know for sure that my anger is righteous indignation? | GotQuestions.orgWas Jesus ever angry? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God get angry? | GotQuestions.orgAnger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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