Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Background and Identity: Haman, a central figure in the Book of Esther, is identified as the son of Hammedatha and is often referred to as "the Agagite" (Esther 3:1). This designation suggests a possible lineage from Agag, the king of the Amalekites, a people historically hostile to Israel (1 Samuel 15). Haman's ancestry is significant, as it underscores the longstanding enmity between the Israelites and the Amalekites, adding depth to his antagonism towards the Jewish people. Position and Power: Haman rose to a position of great influence in the Persian Empire under King Xerxes (Ahasuerus). He was elevated above all the other officials, becoming the king's chief advisor (Esther 3:1). His authority was so extensive that the king commanded all royal officials at the king's gate to bow down and pay homage to Haman (Esther 3:2). Conflict with Mordecai: The conflict between Haman and Mordecai, a Jew, is central to the narrative. Mordecai, who sat at the king's gate, refused to bow to Haman, citing his Jewish faith as the reason (Esther 3:2-4). This act of defiance infuriated Haman, who, upon learning of Mordecai's ethnicity, sought to destroy not only Mordecai but all Jews throughout the kingdom (Esther 3:5-6). The Decree Against the Jews: Haman's hatred for Mordecai led him to devise a plan to annihilate the Jewish people. He cast the pur, or lot, to determine the date for this genocide, which fell on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar (Esther 3:7). Haman then approached King Xerxes, presenting the Jews as a threat to the empire and securing the king's approval to issue a decree for their destruction (Esther 3:8-11). The edict was dispatched throughout the empire, causing great distress among the Jewish population (Esther 3:12-15). Esther's Intervention: Queen Esther, herself a Jew and cousin to Mordecai, played a pivotal role in countering Haman's plot. At Mordecai's urging, she risked her life by approaching the king unsummoned, a bold move that could have resulted in her death (Esther 4:11-16). Esther invited the king and Haman to a series of banquets, during which she revealed her Jewish identity and Haman's plot against her people (Esther 7:1-6). Haman's Downfall: Haman's downfall was swift and dramatic. On the very gallows he had constructed for Mordecai, Haman was hanged after Esther exposed his scheme to King Xerxes (Esther 7:9-10). This reversal of fortune is a key theme in the Book of Esther, highlighting the providence and justice of God in protecting His people. Legacy and Significance: Haman's account is commemorated annually during the Jewish festival of Purim, which celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from his genocidal plot. The narrative of Haman serves as a reminder of the enduring struggle between good and evil and the faithfulness of God in preserving His covenant people. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary HamanSmith's Bible Dictionary Haman(magnificent), the chief minister or vizier of King Ahasuerus. (Esther 3:1) (B.C. 473.) After the failure of his attempt to cut off all the Jews in the Persian empire, he was hanged on the gallows which he had erected for Mordecai. The Targum and Josephus interpret the inscription of him--the Agagite --as signifying that he was of Amalekitish descent. The Jews hiss whenever his name is mentioned on the day of Purim. ATS Bible Dictionary HamanA favorite of Ashasuerus, king of Persia. In order to revenge himself upon Mordecai the Jew, he plotted the extermination of all the Jews in the kingdom; but in the providence of God he as thwarted by Esther, fell into disgrace with the king, and wrought his own ruin and the upbuilding of the Jews. He is called an Agaite; and as Agag was a common name of the Amalekite kings, the Jews believe he was of that race. This would help to explain his malice against the Jews. See AMALEKITES. Similar wholesale slaughters are still plotted in Asia, and the whole narrative is confirmed and illustrated by the descriptions of eastern life furnished by modern travellers in the same region. The death of Haman took place about 485 B. C. His eventful history shows that pride goes before destruction; that the providence of God directs all things; that his people are safe in the midst of perils; and that his foes must perish. Easton's Bible Dictionary (of Persian origin), magnificent, the name of the vizier (i.e., the prime minister) of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Esther 3:1, etc.). He is called an "Agagite," which seems to denote that he was descended from the royal family of the Amalekites, the bitterest enemies of the Jews, as Agag was one of the titles of the Amalekite kings. He or his parents were brought to Persia as captives taken in war. He was hanged on the gallows which he had erected for Mordecai the Jew (Esther 7:10). (See Esther.) International Standard Bible Encyclopedia HAMANha'-man (haman; Haman): A Persian noble and vizier of the empire under Xerxes. He was the enemy of Mordecai, the cousin of Esther. Mordecai, being a Jew, was unable to prostrate himself before the great official and to render to him the adoration which was due to him in accordance with Persian custom. Haman's wrath was so inflamed that one man's life seemed too mean a sacrifice, and he resolved that Mordecai's nation should perish with him. This was the cause of Haman's downfall and death. A ridiculous notion, which, though widely accepted, has no better foundation than a rabbinic suggestion or guess, represents him as a descendant of Agag, the king of Amalek, who was slain by Samuel. But the language of Scripture (1 Samuel 15:33) indicates that when Agag fell, he was the last of his house. Besides, why should his descendants, if any existed, be called Agagites and not Amalekites? Saul's posterity are in no case termed Saulites, but Benjamites or Israelites. But the basis of this theory has been swept away by recent discovery. Agag was a territory adjacent to that of Media. In an inscription found at Khorsabad, Sargon, the father of Sennacherib, says: "Thirty-four districts of Media I conquered and I added them to the domain of Assyria: I imposed upon them an annual tribute of horses. The country of Agazi (Agag). I ravaged, I wasted, I burned." It may be added that the name of Haman is not Hebrew, neither is that of Hammedatha his father. "The name of Haman," writes M. Oppert, the distinguished Assyriologist, "as well as that of his father, belongs to the Medo-Persian." Strong's Hebrew 2001. Haman -- to rage, be turbulent... 2000, 2001. Haman. 2001a . to rage, be turbulent. Transliteration: Haman Phonetic Spelling: (haw-mawn') Short Definition: Haman. Haman ... /hebrew/2001.htm - 5k 2001b. Haman -- a Pers. leader serving under Ahasuerus 2001a. haman -- to rage, be turbulent 630. Aspatha -- a son of Haman 118. Adalya -- the fifth son of Haman 6534. Parmashta -- a son of Haman 1813. Dalphon -- a son of Haman 2055. Vayzatha -- a son of Haman 2238. Zeresh -- wife of Haman 742. Ariday -- a son of Haman Library Concerning Esther and Mordecai and Haman; and How in the Reign of ... The Net Spread At this Time, Mardoch??us was among those Nearest to the King... The Wall Rebuilt. Esther Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. In the Days of Queen Esther Esther, the Queen. The Net Broken Queen Esther's Love for Her People Thesaurus Agagite (5 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary A name applied to Haman and also to his father (Esther 3:1, 10; 8:3, 5). Probably it was equivalent to Amalekite. Int. ... /a/agagite.htm - 9k Mor'decai (51 Occurrences) Gallows (8 Occurrences) Purim (5 Occurrences) Pur (3 Occurrences) Ahasu-e'rus (30 Occurrences) Zeresh (3 Occurrences) Ag'agite (5 Occurrences) Mordecai (52 Occurrences) Xerxes (24 Occurrences) Resources Who was Haman the Agagite? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Xerxes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Haman (46 Occurrences)Esther 3:1 Esther 3:2 Esther 3:4 Esther 3:5 Esther 3:6 Esther 3:7 Esther 3:8 Esther 3:10 Esther 3:11 Esther 3:12 Esther 3:15 Esther 4:7 Esther 5:4 Esther 5:5 Esther 5:8 Esther 5:9 Esther 5:10 Esther 5:11 Esther 5:12 Esther 5:14 Esther 6:4 Esther 6:5 Esther 6:6 Esther 6:7 Esther 6:10 Esther 6:11 Esther 6:12 Esther 6:13 Esther 6:14 Esther 7:1 Esther 7:6 Esther 7:7 Esther 7:8 Esther 7:9 Esther 7:10 Esther 8:1 Esther 8:2 Esther 8:3 Esther 8:5 Esther 8:7 Esther 9:10 Esther 9:12 Esther 9:13 Esther 9:14 Esther 9:24 Esther 9:25 Subtopics Haman: Prime Minister of Ahasuerus Related Terms |
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