Zeresh is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Esther, known primarily as the wife of Haman, the Agagite, who served as a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire under King Xerxes (Ahasuerus). Her account is intertwined with the narrative of Esther, Mordecai, and the Jewish people during their time in exile.

Biblical References:

Zeresh is introduced in the Book of Esther, where she plays a significant role in the events leading up to Haman's downfall. Her name appears in several key passages:

1. Esther 5:10-14: After being invited to a banquet by Queen Esther, Haman is filled with pride but also with anger towards Mordecai, who refuses to bow to him. Upon returning home, Haman gathers his friends and his wife Zeresh. He boasts about his wealth, his many sons, and his elevated position, yet laments that all of this means nothing as long as he sees Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. Zeresh and Haman's friends advise him to build a gallows seventy-five feet high and suggest that he ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. This plan pleases Haman, and he proceeds to have the gallows constructed.

· "His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, 'Have a gallows seventy-five feet high built, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.' This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows constructed." (Esther 5:14)

2. Esther 6:13: After Haman is humiliated by having to honor Mordecai publicly, he returns home in mourning. He recounts the day's events to Zeresh and his friends. Zeresh, along with Haman's advisors, ominously predicts that if Mordecai, before whom Haman has begun to fall, is of Jewish origin, Haman will not prevail against him but will surely come to ruin.

· "His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, 'Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!'" (Esther 6:13)

Role and Influence:

Zeresh's role in the narrative of Esther is significant, as she is depicted as a counselor to her husband, Haman. Her advice to build the gallows for Mordecai sets in motion a series of events that ultimately lead to Haman's own demise. Zeresh's counsel reflects the cultural and familial dynamics of the time, where wives often played advisory roles within the household.

Her prediction of Haman's downfall, once it becomes clear that Mordecai is favored by the king, underscores a recognition of the divine protection over the Jewish people. This acknowledgment of the Jews' unique status and the futility of opposing them is a recurring theme in the Book of Esther.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Zeresh's account is set during the reign of King Xerxes I of Persia, a period marked by the Jewish diaspora and the challenges faced by the Jewish community living under foreign rule. The narrative of Esther, including Zeresh's involvement, highlights themes of providence, justice, and the reversal of fortunes, which are central to the Jewish festival of Purim.

Zeresh's character, though not extensively detailed, serves as a catalyst for the dramatic turn of events that lead to the deliverance of the Jewish people. Her presence in the account emphasizes the influence of familial and social networks in the ancient world and the unforeseen consequences of human schemes against God's chosen people.Zeresh

misery; strange; dispersed inheritance

Zeresh

(gold), the wife of Haman the Agagite. (Esther 5:10,14; 6:13) (B.C. 475.)

Zeresh

The wife of Haman, haughty and revengeful like him, and destined to see him and her ten sons hanging on the gallows she had designed for Mordecai the servant of God, Esther 5:10-14 6:13 7:10 9:13.

Star of Venus, the wife of Haman, whom she instigated to prepare a gallows for Mordecai (Esther 5:10). ZERESH

ze'-resh (zeresh, "gold," from the Persian; Sosara): The wife of Haman (Esther 5:10, 14; Esther 6:13), the vizier of Xerxes.

2238. Zeresh -- wife of Haman
... 2237, 2238. Zeresh. 2239 . wife of Haman. Transliteration: Zeresh Phonetic
Spelling: (zeh'-resh) Short Definition: Zeresh. Word ...
/hebrew/2238.htm - 5k

Queen Esther's Love for Her People
... Then he called together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, and told them the greatness
of his wealth, how many children he had, and all the ways in which the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/queen esthers love for her.htm

Concerning Esther and Mordecai and Haman; and How in the Reign of ...
... So he went home and called for his wife Zeresh, and his friends, and when they were
come, he showed them what honor he enjoyed not only from the king, but from ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning esther and.htm

Let Him Deliver Him Now
... He had been warned of this by Zeresh, his wife, and his wise men, who said, " If
Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/let him deliver him now.htm

Zeresh (3 Occurrences)
...ZERESH. ze'-resh (zeresh, "gold," from the Persian; Sosara): The wife of Haman
(Esther 5:10, 14; Esther 6:13), the vizier of Xerxes. ...Zeresh (3 Occurrences). ...
/z/zeresh.htm - 8k

Mor'decai (51 Occurrences)
... Esther 5:14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him: 'Let a gallows
be made of fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak thou unto the king ...
/m/mor'decai.htm - 20k

Origin (25 Occurrences)
... Esther 6:13 Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything
that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh...
/o/origin.htm - 13k

Recounteth (13 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Esther 6:13 and Haman recounteth to Zeresh his wife, and to all his friends,
all that hath met him, and his wise men say to him, and Zeresh his wife, 'If ...
/r/recounteth.htm - 10k

Recounted (12 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV). Esther 6:13 Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and
all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then ...
/r/recounted.htm - 10k

Downfall (46 Occurrences)
... (BBE NAS NIV). Esther 6:13 And Haman gave his wife Zeresh and all his friends
an account of what had taken place. Then his wise men ...
/d/downfall.htm - 20k

Befallen (20 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Esther 6:13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends
every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men ...
/b/befallen.htm - 13k

Advisers (22 Occurrences)
... Esther 6:13 Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything
that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh...
/a/advisers.htm - 13k

Starting (34 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Esther 6:13 And Haman gave his wife Zeresh and all his friends an
account of what had taken place. Then his wise men and his ...
/s/starting.htm - 17k

Descent (22 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Esther 6:13 Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his
friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise ...
/d/descent.htm - 15k

Who was Haman the Agagite? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Is it true that everything happens for a reason? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus