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Esther 3:2

HamanMordecai
IntegrityFaithfulness and loyalty

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.

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.

3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?

4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.
KJV
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.
WEB
All the king’s servants who were in the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai didn’t bow down or pay him homage.
ASV
And all the king`s servants, that were in the king`s gate, bowed down, and did reverence to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence.
DARBY
And all the king's servants that were in the king's gate bowed and did Haman reverence, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did [him] reverence.
BLB
And all the servants of the king who [were] at the gate of the king [were] bowing and prostrating themselves to Haman, for thus the king had commanded concerning him; and Mordecai would not bow and would not prostrate himself.
ÅB
Og alle kongens tjenere som var i kongens port, falt på kne og kastet seg ned for Haman, for så hadde kongen befalt om ham; men Mordekai falt ikke på kne og kastet seg ikke ned for ham.
OTB
Alle kongens tjenere ved kongens port bøyde seg og viste Haman ære, for kongen hadde befalt dette om ham. Men Mordekai bøyde seg verken ned eller viste ham ære.
B1930
Og alle kongens tjenere som var i kongens port, falt på kne og kastet sig ned for Haman, for så hadde kongen befalt om ham; men Mordekai falt ikke på kne og kastet sig ikke ned for ham.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Esther 2:21

    In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

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  • Psalms 15:4

    In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

    Read in context

  • Esther 3:5

    And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

    Read in context

  • Esther 5:9

    Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

    Read in context

  • 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.

    Read in context

  • Philippians 2:10

    That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

    Read in context

  • Genesis 41:43

    And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 25:19

    Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.

    Read in context