Esther 3:2
"And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And the king's servants that were in the king's gate,.... Or court, all his courtiers; for it cannot be thought they were all porters, or such only that bowed and reverenced Haman; gave him divine honours, as to a deity; for such were given to the kings of Persia (k), and might be given to their favourites, and seems to be

the case; for, though Haman might not erect a statue of himself, or have images painted on his clothes, as the Targum and Aben Ezra, for the Persians did not allow of statues and images (l); yet he might make himself a god, as Jarchi, and require divine worship, with leave of the king, which he had, yea, an order for it: for the king had so commanded concerning him; which shows that it was not mere civil honour and respect, for that in course would have been given him as the king's favourite and prime minister by all his servants, without an express order for it; this, therefore, must be something uncommon and extraordinary: but Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence; which is a further proof that it was not mere civil honour that was required and given; for that the Jews did not refuse to give, and that in the most humble and prostrate manner, and was admitted by them, Sa1 24:8 Kg1 1:16 , nor can it be thought that Mordecai would refuse to give it from pride and sullenness, and thereby risk the king's displeasure, the loss of his office, and the ruin of his nation; but it was such kind of reverence to a man, and worship of him, which was contrary to his conscience, and the law of his God. (k) Vid. Salden. Otia Theolog. l. 3. Exercitat. 1. sec. 4, 5. (l) Laert. Prooem. ad Vit. Philosoph. p. 5, 6.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (18 words)

H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H5650 עֶבֶד
Definition:

25+,עָ֑בֶדGenesis 44:10+; suffixעַבְדִּיGenesis 26:24+;עַבְדְּךָGenesis 19:19+;עַבְדֶּ֫ךָGenesis 18:3+; pluralעֲבָדִיםGenesis 9:25+,עַבְדֵיGenesis 21:25+, suffixעֲבָדַיLeviticus 25:42+,עַבְדֵיכֶםJoshu 25+,עָ֑בֶדGenesis 44:10+; suffixעַבְדִּיGenesis 26:24+;עַבְדְּךָGenesis 19:19+;עַבְדֶּ֫ךָGenesis 18:3+; pluralעֲבָדִיםGenesis 9:25+,עַבְדֵיGenesis 21:25+, suffixעֲבָדַיLeviticus 25:42+,עַבְדֵיכֶםJoshu

Possible Meanings:
  • slave (semantic_range)
  • servant (semantic_range)
H4428 מֶלֶךְ
Definition:

4המלכן; Phoenicianמלך; ZinjirliמלךDHMSendsch. 60; Assyrianmaliku,malku,prince(Assyrianšarru=king); Arabicking(original Hebrew *מַלִחinferred, LagBN 73BaNB § 112WMMAs. u. Europ.76); SabeanמלכןSabDenkmN 4המלכן; Phoenicianמלך; ZinjirliמלךDHMSendsch. 60; Assyrianmaliku,malku,prince(Assyrianšarru=king); Arabicking(original Hebrew *מַלִחinferred, LagBN 73BaNB § 112WMMAs. u. Europ.76); SabeanמלכןSabDenkmN

Possible Meanings:
  • counsel (semantic_range)
  • advice (semantic_range)
H0834 אֲשֶׁר
Definition:

1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff 1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff

Possible Meanings:
  • Asher (semantic_range)
  • happy one (semantic_range)
  • Felix (semantic_range)
  • the tribe (semantic_range)
H8179 שַׁעַר
Definition:

24(feminineIsaiah 14:31in personification, AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 86)gate; —׳שׁabsoluteJudges 9:40+, constructGenesis 22:17+; withהlocative,שָׁ֑עְרָהIsaiah 28:6+; pluralשְׁעָרִים2 Samuel 18:24+, construc 24(feminineIsaiah 14:31in personification, AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 86)gate; —׳שׁabsoluteJudges 9:40+, constructGenesis 22:17+; withהlocative,שָׁ֑עְרָהIsaiah 28:6+; pluralשְׁעָרִים2 Samuel 18:24+, construc

Possible Meanings:
  • hair (semantic_range)
H4428 מֶלֶךְ
Definition:

4המלכן; Phoenicianמלך; ZinjirliמלךDHMSendsch. 60; Assyrianmaliku,malku,prince(Assyrianšarru=king); Arabicking(original Hebrew *מַלִחinferred, LagBN 73BaNB § 112WMMAs. u. Europ.76); SabeanמלכןSabDenkmN 4המלכן; Phoenicianמלך; ZinjirliמלךDHMSendsch. 60; Assyrianmaliku,malku,prince(Assyrianšarru=king); Arabicking(original Hebrew *מַלִחinferred, LagBN 73BaNB § 112WMMAs. u. Europ.76); SabeanמלכןSabDenkmN

Possible Meanings:
  • counsel (semantic_range)
  • advice (semantic_range)
H3766 כָּרַע
Definition:

66t.; 3 masculine pluralכָּֽרְעוּJudges 7:64t.;ImperfectיִכְרַעJudges 7:53t.; 1 singularוָאֶכְרְעָהEzra 9:5; 3masculine pluralיִכְרְעוּןJob 31:10; 2masculine pluralתִּכְרָ֑עוּIsaiah 65:12; 1pluralוְנִ 66t.; 3 masculine pluralכָּֽרְעוּJudges 7:64t.;ImperfectיִכְרַעJudges 7:53t.; 1 singularוָאֶכְרְעָהEzra 9:5; 3masculine pluralיִכְרְעוּןJob 31:10; 2masculine pluralתִּכְרָ֑עוּIsaiah 65:12; 1pluralוְנִ

Possible Meanings:
  • leg (semantic_range)
H7812 שָׁחָה
Definition:

23bow down.Hiph`ilImperfect3masculine singular suffixיַשְׁחֶ֑נָּהProverbs 12:25, figurative, anxietydepresses it(that isלֵב; opposed toשִׂמֵּחַ).Hithpa`lel170(Ges§ 75kk)Perfect3masculine singularהִשְׁ 23bow down.Hiph`ilImperfect3masculine singular suffixיַשְׁחֶ֑נָּהProverbs 12:25, figurative, anxietydepresses it(that isלֵב; opposed toשִׂמֵּחַ).Hithpa`lel170(Ges§ 75kk)Perfect3masculine singularהִשְׁ

Possible Meanings:
  • prostrate oneself (semantic_range)
H2001 הָמָן
Definition:

Of foreign derivation; Haman, a Persian vizier -- Haman.Brown-Driver-Briggsהָמָןproper name, masculineHaman, favourite of Ahasuerus (etymology dubious; according to JenVOJ 1892, 58 ff.= Elamite proper Of foreign derivation; Haman, a Persian vizier -- Haman.Brown-Driver-Briggsהָמָןproper name, masculineHaman, favourite of Ahasuerus (etymology dubious; according to JenVOJ 1892, 58 ff.= Elamite proper

H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H3651 כֵּן
Definition:

29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ 29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ

Possible Meanings:
  • thus (semantic_range)
  • as follows (semantic_range)
H6680 צָוָה
Definition:

22+; suffixצִוַּנִיDeuteronomy 4:5+;צִוְּךָDeuteronomy 4:23+;צִוָּהוּGenesis 7:5+, etc.; 1 singularצִוִּיתִיExodus 29:3529t.,צִוֵּיתִיLeviticus 8:314t., etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיְצַוֶּהGenesi 22+; suffixצִוַּנִיDeuteronomy 4:5+;צִוְּךָDeuteronomy 4:23+;צִוָּהוּGenesis 7:5+, etc.; 1 singularצִוִּיתִיExodus 29:3529t.,צִוֵּיתִיLeviticus 8:314t., etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיְצַוֶּהGenesi

Possible Meanings:
  • lay charge (semantic_range)
  • give charge (semantic_range)
  • charge (semantic_range)
  • command (semantic_range)
  • order (semantic_range)
H4428 מֶלֶךְ
Definition:

4המלכן; Phoenicianמלך; ZinjirliמלךDHMSendsch. 60; Assyrianmaliku,malku,prince(Assyrianšarru=king); Arabicking(original Hebrew *מַלִחinferred, LagBN 73BaNB § 112WMMAs. u. Europ.76); SabeanמלכןSabDenkmN 4המלכן; Phoenicianמלך; ZinjirliמלךDHMSendsch. 60; Assyrianmaliku,malku,prince(Assyrianšarru=king); Arabicking(original Hebrew *מַלִחinferred, LagBN 73BaNB § 112WMMAs. u. Europ.76); SabeanמלכןSabDenkmN

Possible Meanings:
  • counsel (semantic_range)
  • advice (semantic_range)
H4782 מָרְדְּכַי
Definition:

2;Esther 2:5+;מָרְדֳּכָ֑יEsther 2:22+; —1companion of Zerubbabel, according toEzra 2:2=Nehemiah 7:7.ᵐ5Μαραθχαιος,Μαρδοχαιος, etc:2cousin and adoptive father of EstherEsther 2:5,7,10 55t. Esther.ᵐ5Μαρδ 2;Esther 2:5+;מָרְדֳּכָ֑יEsther 2:22+; —1companion of Zerubbabel, according toEzra 2:2=Nehemiah 7:7.ᵐ5Μαραθχαιος,Μαρδοχαιος, etc:2cousin and adoptive father of EstherEsther 2:5,7,10 55t. Esther.ᵐ5Μαρδ

Possible Meanings:
  • Mordecai (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H3766 כָּרַע
Definition:

66t.; 3 masculine pluralכָּֽרְעוּJudges 7:64t.;ImperfectיִכְרַעJudges 7:53t.; 1 singularוָאֶכְרְעָהEzra 9:5; 3masculine pluralיִכְרְעוּןJob 31:10; 2masculine pluralתִּכְרָ֑עוּIsaiah 65:12; 1pluralוְנִ 66t.; 3 masculine pluralכָּֽרְעוּJudges 7:64t.;ImperfectיִכְרַעJudges 7:53t.; 1 singularוָאֶכְרְעָהEzra 9:5; 3masculine pluralיִכְרְעוּןJob 31:10; 2masculine pluralתִּכְרָ֑עוּIsaiah 65:12; 1pluralוְנִ

Possible Meanings:
  • leg (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H7812 שָׁחָה
Definition:

23bow down.Hiph`ilImperfect3masculine singular suffixיַשְׁחֶ֑נָּהProverbs 12:25, figurative, anxietydepresses it(that isלֵב; opposed toשִׂמֵּחַ).Hithpa`lel170(Ges§ 75kk)Perfect3masculine singularהִשְׁ 23bow down.Hiph`ilImperfect3masculine singular suffixיַשְׁחֶ֑נָּהProverbs 12:25, figurative, anxietydepresses it(that isלֵב; opposed toשִׂמֵּחַ).Hithpa`lel170(Ges§ 75kk)Perfect3masculine singularהִשְׁ

Possible Meanings:
  • prostrate oneself (semantic_range)

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