Topical Bible: Anger: Sinful: Haman

◄ Anger: Sinful: Haman ►

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Haman, a prominent figure in the Book of Esther, serves as a quintessential example of sinful anger in the Bible. His account unfolds during the reign of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) of Persia, where Haman held the position of prime minister, second only to the king himself. Despite his high status and wealth, Haman's pride and anger led to his downfall, illustrating the destructive nature of unchecked wrath.

Haman's anger is first kindled by Mordecai, a Jew who refused to bow down or pay homage to him. This perceived slight ignited a deep-seated rage within Haman, as recorded in Esther 3:5: "When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel or pay him homage, he was filled with rage." Haman's anger was not merely a personal grievance but escalated into a genocidal plot against all Jews in the Persian Empire. His wrath was so consuming that he sought to annihilate an entire people to satisfy his wounded pride.

The sinful nature of Haman's anger is further highlighted by his manipulation and deceit. He approached King Xerxes with a proposal to destroy the Jews, presenting them as a threat to the kingdom. In Esther 3:8-9, Haman said to the king, "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their laws are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry out this business." Haman's anger led him to use his influence for evil, demonstrating how sinful anger can corrupt one's judgment and actions.

Haman's account also reveals the consequences of sinful anger. His plot was ultimately thwarted by Queen Esther, who bravely intervened on behalf of her people. In a dramatic turn of events, Haman's anger and pride led to his own demise. Esther 7:10 recounts, "So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided." Haman's end serves as a sobering reminder of the self-destructive nature of sinful anger.

In summary, Haman's life is a cautionary tale of how anger, when left unchecked, can lead to sin and destruction. His account is a powerful illustration of the biblical principle found in Proverbs 16:32: "He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city." Haman's inability to control his anger not only led to his downfall but also serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of allowing wrath to govern one's actions.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Esther 3:5
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Presumptuous Sins
... they are warned of forbidden acts as being sinful. ... not sin presumptuously, when suddenly
overcome by anger, though, without ... is to be done, and, Haman-like, to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/presumptuous sins.htm

Man's Misery by the Fall
... How did Haman's heart tremble, when the king rose up from ... what will it be when God
stirs up all his anger? ... a fiery stream in which the souls of sinful men were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 mans misery by the.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... Oh, pity him, and let thy anger be turned away from him ... Surely this is a sinful modesty ...
Then Queen Esther petitioned against Haman, and then his face was covered ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... Anger is sometimes 'soon over,' like fire kindled in straw ... the children of Israel.'
Ezekiel 35:5. Haman hated Mordecai ... the new wine of glory into a sinful heart ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

The Life of Mr. John Welch.
... he was not only diverted from his former sinful practice, but ... Not one book is to
be given to Haman, suppose he ... upon him; to which he replied in anger, That Mr ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 5.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... from a desire of offspring than from love of sinful pleasure"for ... 497] Then
Haman"whose name ... the temple is rent, [520] the bridegroom rises in anger, he says ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... would fall upon them in judgment and anger much more ... David found it so, Haman found
it so, Job found it ... felt for several years together for base sinful thoughts ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... 'The anger of the ... For as concerning his masses, prayers for the dead, images,
pilgrimages, monkish vows, sinful fasts, and the beastly single life of their ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... Like wicked Haman, that dreamed of greater honour, but behold a gallows; or our
mother ... hear this voice, O silly one, and turn and live, thou sinful soul, lest ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... that of zeal to God; because by the law is begotten, through the weakness that it
meeteth with in thee, sourness, bitterness of spirit, and anger against him ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm