Explore the Bible Online

Esther 3:2-5

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

Scripture focus

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

Esther 3:2-5 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Esther 3:2

Theological / Devotional

The 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).

By SdaBc