Topical Bible: Malice: Haman

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Haman, a central figure in the Book of Esther, is often cited as a biblical example of malice and enmity. He was an Agagite, a descendant of Agag, the king of the Amalekites, who were long-standing enemies of Israel (1 Samuel 15:8). Haman's account unfolds during the reign of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) of Persia, where he rose to a position of great power and influence as the king's chief minister.

Haman's malice is most notably directed towards Mordecai, a Jew who refused to bow down to him. This personal affront incited Haman's wrath, leading him to devise a plan not only to punish Mordecai but to annihilate all Jews within the Persian Empire. Esther 3:5-6 states, "When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel or pay him homage, he was filled with rage. And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the idea of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all the Jews, Mordecai’s people, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes."

Haman's malice was not merely personal but extended to an entire people, reflecting a deep-seated hatred and desire for genocide. He manipulated King Xerxes into issuing a decree to destroy the Jews, casting lots (Purim) to determine the date of their destruction (Esther 3:7-9). Haman's actions were driven by pride and a desire for revenge, showcasing the destructive power of malice when left unchecked.

The narrative of Esther highlights the providence of God and the courage of Esther and Mordecai in thwarting Haman's evil plans. Esther, risking her life, approached the king and revealed Haman's plot, leading to a dramatic reversal of fortune. Esther 7:6 records Esther's accusation: "Esther replied, 'The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!' Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen."

Haman's malice ultimately led to his downfall. The very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai became the instrument of his own execution (Esther 7:9-10). This outcome serves as a biblical illustration of the principle found in 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."

Haman's account is a sobering reminder of the destructive nature of malice and the importance of humility and righteousness. His life and actions are a testament to the biblical truth that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Esther 3:5,6
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning Esther and Mordecai and Haman; and How in the Reign of ...
... of affairs committed to them by their friends, and bearing private malice of their ...
This hath been the case of Haman, the son of Ammedatha, by birth an Amalekite ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning esther and.htm

In the Days of Queen Esther
... Haman cherished bitter malice against Mordecai, a Jew. Mordecai had done Haman no
harm, but had simply refused to show him worshipful reverence. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 49 in the days.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children
of Israel.' Ezekiel 35:5. Haman hated Mordecai because ... Malice is mental murder ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

Are You Mocked?
... open persecution"Herod has sought the young child to destroy it; Haman has sought ...
of cruelty have been fashioned by the art of man, through the malice of his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/are you mocked.htm

Listen, My Brethren, to Death, Mocking the Evil One: that Caused ...
... Gehenna be overturned, upon thy head: as thy malice overturned Sodom, its
dwellers!"11 ... 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

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
... Thus Paul escaped from the malice of the Jewish council, by the sudden ... preserved
the Jews in Persia from the destructive designs of their adversary Haman. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxviii king of kings.htm

Of Querulousness.
... are usually such as Ahab's for his neighbor's vineyard, Haman's for Mordecai's ... our
impoverishment, when we angrily charge our defamation on the malice of our ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section x of querulousness.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... who judged Jesus was greatly grieved because he knew that for malice the Jews were ...
Mordecai was persecuted by the wicked Haman; and Jesus was persecuted by the ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

The Providence of God
... of Christ came from the Jews, it was an act of hatred and malice to Christ; and ... did
God raise up Queen Esther to preserve alive the Jews, when Haman had got a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/14 the providence of god.htm

The Important Question
... Then said Haman, Yet "all this profiteth me nothing, while I see ... Ambition, covetousness,
vanity, inordinate affection, malice, revengefulness, carry their own ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 84 the important question.htm