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Scripture focus
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.
Esther 3:2 — KJV
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Esther 3:2
King James Version (KJV)
“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody
Esther 3:2
Verse 2 of 15
Commentary
Commentary on Esther 3:2
Theological / DevotionalThe king’s servants. These were the lesser officers of the court, of the rank to which Mordecai belonged.
Bowed, and reverenced. That is, prostrated themselves before Hainan in usual Oriental fashion. This act implied submission, loyalty, and obedience.
Commanded. Perhaps Hainan had been elevated from a low position. The special command required that all, even those who might previously have outranked Hainan, should now fall prostrate before him.
Mordecai bowed not. In view of the fact that the Hebrew people prostrated themselves not only before kings (1 Sam. 24:8) but before superiors in general, or those whom they wished to honor as such (Gen. 23:7; 27:29; 33:3; etc.), Mordecai’s motive in refusing to bow to Hainan is not entirely clear. Hainan was, to be sure, a Gentile; but Abraham bowed to Gentiles (Gen. 23:7). Mordecai did refuse Hainan reverence that belongs only to God (5T 450; see PK 600).
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