Esther 3:2 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →All the king's servants bow to Haman as commanded, but Mordecai refuses.
What Does Esther 3:2 Mean?
At the king's command, all the servants in the gate bow before Haman. All, that is, but one. Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. In a single sentence the narrator sets one man against the entire court and against a royal order. The refusal is quiet but absolute, and it will shake an empire.
The text does not fully explain Mordecai's stand, though his identity as a Jew, soon revealed, lies behind it. Given Haman's lineage as an Agagite, the ancient adversary of Israel, the refusal carries the weight of a long history. Whatever its precise reasoning, Mordecai will not bend, and from that unbending will come both peril and, in time, deliverance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esther 3:2
What does Esther 3:2 mean?
All the king's servants bow to Haman as commanded, but Mordecai refuses.