Topical Bible: Envy: Haman

◄ Envy: Haman ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Haman, a prominent figure in the Book of Esther, serves as a quintessential example of envy and its destructive consequences. As a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire under King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), Haman's account is a cautionary tale of how envy can lead to one's downfall.

Background and Rise to Power

Haman, identified as an Agagite, is introduced in Esther 3:1, where he is promoted by King Xerxes to a position of great authority, above all the other officials. This elevation stirs a sense of pride and entitlement in Haman, setting the stage for his envious nature to manifest. The text states, "After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles" (Esther 3:1).

The Root of Envy

Haman's envy is primarily directed towards Mordecai, a Jew who refuses to bow down to him. This refusal is not merely a personal affront but a challenge to Haman's perceived superiority and honor. Esther 3:5 captures Haman's reaction: "When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel or pay him honor, he was enraged" . Mordecai's steadfastness in his faith and principles becomes a thorn in Haman's side, igniting a deep-seated envy that consumes him.

The Plot Against the Jews

Haman's envy extends beyond Mordecai to encompass the entire Jewish people. In his wrath, he devises a plan to annihilate all Jews within the Persian Empire. Esther 3:6 reveals his intentions: "Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead, Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes" . Haman's envy blinds him to the moral and ethical implications of his actions, leading him to manipulate the king into issuing a decree for the destruction of the Jews.

Downfall and Retribution

Haman's envy ultimately leads to his downfall. Esther, Mordecai's cousin and the queen, intervenes by revealing Haman's plot to King Xerxes. In a dramatic turn of events, Haman's plans are thwarted, and he is executed on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Esther 7:10 states, "So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided" .

Theological Implications

Haman's account illustrates the destructive power of envy, a sin that can consume individuals and lead to their ruin. Envy, as seen in Haman's life, is not merely a personal failing but a spiritual malady that opposes the virtues of humility and contentment. The narrative serves as a reminder of the biblical admonition against envy, as found in Proverbs 14:30: "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones" .

Haman's envious nature and its consequences underscore the importance of guarding one's heart against such destructive emotions. His account is a vivid illustration of how envy can lead to irrational actions and ultimately, divine justice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Esther 5:13
Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Sixth Commandment
... Who is able to stand before envy?' Proverbs 27:4 ... had a perpetual hatred, and hast
shed the blood of the children of Israel.' Ezekiel 35:5. Haman hated Mordecai ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

All the Day Long
... If you envy the wicked you may soon wish to be like them. ... We would sit in the
gate with Mordecai sooner than feast with the king with Haman. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/all the day long.htm

Concerning Peaceableness
... Because Mordecai would not give Haman the cap and knee, he gets a bloody warrant
signed for the death of all the Jews (Esther 3:9 ... (iii) Envy; envy stirreth up ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/18 concerning peaceableness.htm

Listen, My Brethren, to Death, Mocking the Evil One: that Caused ...
... S., Saul whom I conquered by envy, by witchcraft conquered thee: for he asked for ...
Hater of man: as his wickedness was returned on the head, of Haman thy fellow ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lvii listen my brethren.htm

Letter xvi. Charity.
... character and happiness are strikingly illustrated in the story of Haman, which
I ... this disposition in exercise, it would cut off all ground of envy and jealousy ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter xvi charity.htm

The Knowledge of God
... The covering of Haman's face was a sad presage of death. ... Judas dissembles his envy
at Christ, and his covetousness, with the pretence of charity to the poor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 the knowledge of god.htm

Demonstration vi. --Of Monks.
... [887] Haman was wealthy and third in ... Let him put away from him a crafty tongue; let
him drive from him envy and wrath, and cast away from him crafty lips. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration vi of monks.htm

What and Whence are These?
... in her hand, she went in unto the king to plead against that wicked Haman? ... Thinking
of his own heavy anxieties, he expressed his envy of the shepherd, because ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/what and whence are these.htm

The Benefits of an Early Piety
... as they wish to die the death, so in their more sober intervals, to envy the life ...
gospel, than a luxurious Dives in a bed of state, or an ambitious Haman at a ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the benefits of an early.htm

The Important Question
... Then said Haman, Yet "all this profiteth me nothing, while I see Mordecai sitting
in the gate." Poor Human! One unholy temper, whether pride, envy, jealousy ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 84 the important question.htm