Topical Bible: Civil Minister: Haman

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◄ Civil Minister: Haman ►

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Haman, a prominent figure in the Book of Esther, is depicted as a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I). His account is primarily found in the Old Testament, where he is portrayed as an antagonist to the Jewish people, particularly Mordecai and Queen Esther.

Position and Influence

Haman, identified as the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, was elevated by King Ahasuerus to a position of great authority, making him the highest-ranking official in the kingdom. The king commanded that all royal officials at the king's gate bow down and pay homage to Haman, a decree that Mordecai, a Jew, refused to obey. This act of defiance by Mordecai incited Haman's wrath and set the stage for the ensuing conflict.

Plot Against the Jews

Haman's animosity towards Mordecai extended to all Jews within the empire. In his quest for vengeance, Haman devised a plan to annihilate the Jewish people. He approached King Ahasuerus with a proposal, claiming that there was a certain group of people scattered throughout the provinces whose customs were different and who did not obey the king's laws. Haman suggested that it was not in the king's best interest to tolerate them. He offered to pay ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to fund the destruction of the Jews (Esther 3:8-9).

The king, trusting Haman, gave him his signet ring, effectively granting him the authority to issue decrees in the king's name. Haman then sent out edicts to all the provinces, ordering the destruction, killing, and annihilation of all Jews, young and old, women and children, on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar (Esther 3:13).

The Downfall of Haman

Haman's plot, however, was thwarted by Queen Esther, who was herself a Jew and the cousin of Mordecai. Esther, risking her life, approached the king and revealed her Jewish identity, pleading for her people. She exposed Haman's scheme, leading to a dramatic reversal of fortune.

King Ahasuerus, upon learning of Haman's intentions and his threat to the queen, was enraged. Haman, realizing his impending doom, pleaded with Esther for his life. However, the king ordered that Haman be hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai (Esther 7:9-10).

Legacy and Significance

Haman's downfall is commemorated in the Jewish festival of Purim, which celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from his genocidal plot. The account of Haman serves as a powerful narrative of divine providence and justice, illustrating the theme that those who plot evil against God's people will ultimately face retribution.

Haman's role as a civil minister highlights the potential for corruption and abuse of power within governmental structures. His account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, hatred, and the misuse of authority.

Nave's Topical Index

Esther 3:1
After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Life of Mr. Alexander Henderson.
... do, having been near eighteen years minister there."He ... Christ's throne.""Some are
exalted like Haman, some like ... the anonymous author of the civil wars of ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander.htm

The Life of Mr. John Welch.
... Not one book is to be given to Haman, suppose he ... he came upon the scaffold, Mr. Blair,
the minister of the ... Mr. Welch's uncle in law, was indeed very civil to Mr ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 5.htm

Britain's Mercies, and Britain's Duty
... such a crimson-dye, that a gospel minister would not ... be with us, in respect to our
civil and ecclesiastical ... them by a cruel and ambitious Haman, "Mordecai sent ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/britains mercies and britains duty.htm

The Historical Books.
... upon this depended their right to minister in holy ... leader; Nehemiah, as the Tirshatha,
or civil governor, simply ... manner in which the plot of Haman the Agagite ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Influence of the King James Version on English Literature
... His poem of the Moors after the Civil War under ... Wae's me, sir," said Jeanie""and
a minister's son, too ... Captain Peppercull should hang as high as Haman ever did ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture iv the influence of.htm

A Case of Conscience Resolved
... of truth, as they are outwardly in civil and temporal ... faith of Christ, as to procure
a gospel minister to be ... the church, that then was under the rage of Haman. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a case of conscience resolved.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... And this is the reason so many moral men, that are adorned with civil and moral
righteousness, are yet so ignorant of themselves, and the way of life by Christ ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... both as to principles, and as to practice; and have grown at last into an amazing
likeness to the world, both as to religion and civil demeanour: Yea, I may say ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart." (2 Corinthians 3:14,15) And this
is the reason that so many moral men, that are adorned with civil and moral ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... 1. He pleads the pleasure of his Father in his merits.-Satan rebuked for finding
fault therewith.-2. He pleads God's interest in his people.-Haman's mishap in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm