Esther 7:8
New International Version
Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

New Living Translation
In despair he fell on the couch where Queen Esther was reclining, just as the king was returning from the palace garden. The king exclaimed, “Will he even assault the queen right here in the palace, before my very eyes?” And as soon as the king spoke, his attendants covered Haman’s face, signaling his doom.

English Standard Version
And the king returned from the palace garden to the place where they were drinking wine, as Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. And the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the word left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman’s face.

Berean Standard Bible
Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the words had left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

King James Bible
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

New King James Version
When the king returned from the palace garden to the place of the banquet of wine, Haman had fallen across the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he also assault the queen while I am in the house?” As the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

New American Standard Bible
Now when the king returned from the palace garden into the place where they had been drinking wine, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even assault the queen with me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

NASB 1995
Now when the king returned from the palace garden into the place where they were drinking wine, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even assault the queen with me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

NASB 1977
Now when the king returned from the palace garden into the place where they were drinking wine, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even assault the queen with me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the king returned from the garden of his palace into the place where they were drinking wine. And Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. So the king said, “Will he even assault the queen with me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

Amplified Bible
When the king returned from the palace garden to the place where they were drinking wine, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even attempt to assault the queen with me in the palace?” As the king spoke those words, the servants covered Haman’s face [in preparation for execution].

Christian Standard Bible
Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually violate the queen while I am in the house? ” As soon as the statement left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the house of wine drinking, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually violate the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the statement left the king’s mouth, Haman’s face was covered.

American Standard Version
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he even force the queen before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

Contemporary English Version
Just as the king came back into the room, Haman got down on his knees beside Esther, who was lying on the couch. The king shouted, "Now you're even trying to rape my queen here in my own palace!" As soon as the king said this, his servants covered Haman's head.

English Revised Version
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he even force the queen before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the king returned from the palace garden to the palace dining room, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was lying. The king thought, "Is he even going to rape the queen while I'm in the palace?" Then the king passed sentence on him, and servants covered Haman's face.

Good News Translation
He had just thrown himself down on Esther's couch to beg for mercy, when the king came back into the room from the gardens. Seeing this, the king cried out, "Is this man going to rape the queen right here in front of me, in my own palace?" The king had no sooner said this than the eunuchs covered Haman's head.

International Standard Version
When the king returned to the banquet hall from the palace garden, Haman was prostrate on the couch where Esther was. The king asked, "Will this man even assault the queen with me in the house?" The king had no sooner spoken than they covered Haman's face.

Majority Standard Bible
Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, ?Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?? As soon as the words had left the king?s mouth, they covered Haman?s face.

NET Bible
When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet of wine, Haman was throwing himself down on the couch where Esther was lying. The king exclaimed, "Will he also attempt to rape the queen while I am still in the building!" As these words left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

New Heart English Bible
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman had fallen on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, "Will he even assault the queen in front of me in the house?" As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the king returned out of the palace-garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman had fallen upon the bed on which Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

World English Bible
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman had fallen on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in front of me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king has turned back out of the garden of the house to the house of the banquet of wine, and Haman is falling on the couch on which Esther [is], and the king says, “Also to subdue the queen with me in the house?” The word has gone out from the mouth of the king, and the face of Haman they have covered.

Young's Literal Translation
And the king hath turned back out of the garden of the house unto the house of the banquet of wine, and Haman is falling on the couch on which Esther is, and the king saith, 'Also to subdue the queen with me in the house?' the word hath gone out from the mouth of the king, and the face of Haman they have covered.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king turned back from the garden of the palace to the house of the drinking of wine; and Haman fell upon the bed which Esther was upon And the king will say, Also is he to force the queen with me in the house? The word went forth from the king's mouth, and they covered Haman's face.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the king came back out of the garden set with trees, and entered into the place of the banquet, he found Aman was fallen upon the bed on which Esther lay, and he said: He will force the queen also in my presence, in my own house. The word was not yet gone out of the king's mouth, and immediately they covered his face.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When the king returned from the arboretum of the garden and entered into the place of the feast, he found Haman collapsed on the couch on which Esther lay, and he said, “And now he wishes to oppress the queen, in my presence, in my house!” The word had not yet gone out of the king’s mouth, and immediately they covered his face.

New American Bible
When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman had thrown himself on the couch on which Esther was reclining; and the king exclaimed, “Will he also violate the queen while she is with me in my own house!” Scarcely had the king spoken when the face of Haman was covered over.

New Revised Standard Version
When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman had thrown himself on the couch where Esther was reclining; and the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the words left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman’s face.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the king returned from the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was prostrate upon the couch where Esther was seated. Then the king said. Will he disgrace the queen also be fore me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King returned from garden house to the house of the banquet of wine, and Haman lay on the couch and Esthir sat upon it, and the King said: “Disgracing the Queen with me in the house?!” and The word proceeded from the mouth of the King and the face of Haman was covered over.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king: 'Will he even force the queen before me in the house?' As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king returned from the garden; and Aman had fallen upon the bed, intreating the queen. And the king said, Wilt thou even force my wife in my house? And when Aman heard it, he changed countenance.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Haman is Hanged
7In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him. 8Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the words had left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said: “There is a gallows fifty cubits high at Haman’s house. He had it built for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king.” “Hang him on it!” declared the king.…

Cross References
Genesis 45:1-5
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me!” So none of them were with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. / But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it. / Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence. ...

2 Samuel 12:1-7
Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. / The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. ...

Daniel 6:24
At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Proverbs 26:27
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

Psalm 7:15-16
He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. / His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.

Psalm 9:15-16
The nations have fallen into a pit of their making; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. / The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion Selah

Psalm 35:8
May ruin befall them by surprise; may the net they hid ensnare them; may they fall into the hazard they created.

Psalm 57:6
They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah

Psalm 141:10
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Luke 6:37-38
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. / Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Luke 19:22
His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow?

Romans 2:1-3
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. / And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. / So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen on the bed where on Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

the bed.

Esther 1:6
Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

Isaiah 49:23
And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

before me.

Esther 6:12
And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

Job 9:24
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?

Isaiah 22:17
Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.

Jump to Previous
Assault Banquet Bed Couch Covered Esther Face Fallen Force Front Garden Haman Haman's House King's Mouth Palace Queen Whereon Wine Word
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Assault Banquet Bed Couch Covered Esther Face Fallen Force Front Garden Haman Haman's House King's Mouth Palace Queen Whereon Wine Word
Esther 7
1. Esther, entertaining the king and Haman, pleads for her own life, and her people's.
5. She accuses Haman.
7. The king in his anger, understanding of the gallows Haman had made for Mordecai,
10. causes Haman to be hanged thereon.














When the king returned from the palace garden
This phrase sets the scene for a pivotal moment in the narrative. The king, Ahasuerus, had stepped out into the palace garden, likely to collect his thoughts after Queen Esther's revelation of Haman's plot. The palace garden, a place of beauty and reflection, contrasts with the tension inside. Historically, Persian kings were known for their elaborate gardens, which were symbols of their power and control over nature. The king's return signifies a transition from contemplation to action.

to the banquet hall
The banquet hall is a central location in the Book of Esther, where significant decisions and revelations occur. Banquets in Persian culture were not just feasts but also political gatherings where alliances were formed and decisions made. The return to the banquet hall indicates a shift back to the public and political sphere, where the king must now address the crisis at hand.

Haman was falling on the couch
Haman's action of falling on the couch where Esther was reclining is laden with irony and desperation. In the Hebrew context, the word for "falling" can imply both a literal and a figurative downfall. Haman, who sought to elevate himself above others, is now literally and figuratively brought low. This act of falling is a fulfillment of the biblical principle that pride precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

where Esther was reclining
Esther's position on the couch is significant. In ancient Persian banquets, reclining was a position of honor and relaxation. Esther, a Jewish queen in a foreign land, holds a place of prominence and influence. Her reclining posture contrasts with Haman's frantic state, highlighting her calm and composed demeanor in the face of adversity.

The king exclaimed
The king's exclamation marks a turning point in the narrative. His authority and judgment are about to be exercised. In the Persian court, the king's word was law, and his exclamation would have carried immediate and irrevocable consequences. This moment underscores the theme of divine providence, as God uses the king's authority to bring about justice for His people.

‘Will he even molest the queen
The accusation of molestation is severe and would have been seen as a grave offense in the Persian court. The Hebrew root of the word translated as "molest" implies violence or assault, suggesting that Haman's actions were not only inappropriate but also threatening. This accusation seals Haman's fate, as it implies a breach of both personal and royal boundaries.

while she is with me in the house?’
The king's rhetorical question emphasizes the audacity of Haman's actions. The phrase "with me in the house" underscores the violation of the king's personal space and authority. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the king's house was a sacred space, and any transgression within it was seen as a direct affront to the king himself. This highlights the seriousness of Haman's offense and the inevitability of his downfall.

As soon as the statement left the king’s mouth
This phrase indicates the immediacy and irrevocability of the king's judgment. In the Persian legal system, the king's word was final and could not be repealed. The swiftness of the king's decision reflects the urgency and gravity of the situation. It also serves as a reminder of the power of words and the authority of the king, which in this narrative, aligns with God's providential plan.

they covered Haman’s face
Covering Haman's face symbolizes his impending doom. In ancient Persian culture, covering the face of a condemned person was a sign of disgrace and a precursor to execution. This act signifies the end of Haman's influence and the beginning of justice for the Jewish people. It serves as a powerful reminder of the biblical truth that those who plot evil will ultimately face divine retribution.

(8) The bed--i.e., the couch on which she had been reclining at the banquet. This was the customary posture at meals, not only of the Persians, but also of the Greeks and Romans, and of the later Jews. The Last Supper was thus eaten. Haman had obviously thrown himself at the queen's feet to ask for mercy. The king on his return was evidently full of wrath against Haman, and though he was for the time God's instrument in averting Haman's wicked design, his own base and worthless character is none the less conspicuous. The attempted massacre had been authorised with the full knowledge and consent of the king, who yet ignores utterly his own share of the responsibility. Great and noble ends are at times brought about by the instrumentality of unholy men, blind instruments in a purpose whose end they understand not. What greater blessing, for example, did God vouchsafe to England than the Reformation, whose foremost agent was a bloody and unholy king?

Will he force. . . .--Ahasuerus must have known perfectly well that Haman's position was that of a suppliant; his words do but indicate his utter anger, as the attendants clearly perceive, for they immediately covered Haman's face--he must not see the king's face again. (See above, Esther 1:13.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Just as the king
וְהַמֶּ֡לֶךְ (wə·ham·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

returned
שָׁב֩ (šāḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from the palace
הַבִּיתָ֜ן (hab·bî·ṯān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1055: House, palace

garden
מִגִּנַּ֨ת (mig·gin·naṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1594: A garden

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the banquet hall,
בֵּ֣ית ׀ (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

Haman
וְהָמָן֙ (wə·hā·mān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2001: Haman -- to rage, be turbulent

was falling
נֹפֵ֔ל (nō·p̄êl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the couch
הַמִּטָּה֙ (ham·miṭ·ṭāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4296: A bed, for, sleeping, eating, a sofa, litter, bier

where
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Esther
אֶסְתֵּ֣ר (’es·têr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 635: Esther -- 'star', Ahasuerus' queen who delivered Israel

[was reclining].
עָלֶ֔יהָ (‘ā·le·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

The king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

exclaimed,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Would he actually
הֲ֠גַם (hă·ḡam)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

assault
לִכְבּ֧וֹשׁ (liḵ·bō·wōš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3533: To subdue, bring into bondage

the queen
הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה (ham·mal·kāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4436: Queen -- a queen

while
עִמִּ֖י (‘im·mî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

I am in the palace?”
בַּבָּ֑יִת (bab·bā·yiṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

As soon as the words
הַדָּבָ֗ר (had·dā·ḇār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

had left
יָצָא֙ (yā·ṣā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

the king's
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

mouth,
מִפִּ֣י (mip·pî)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

they covered
חָפֽוּ׃ (ḥā·p̄ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2645: To cover, to veil, to encase, protect

Haman's
הָמָ֖ן (hā·mān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2001: Haman -- to rage, be turbulent

face.
וּפְנֵ֥י (ū·p̄ə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face


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OT History: Esther 7:8 Then the king returned out (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 7:7
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