Esther 3 (KJV With Strong's) - Bible Truth Library

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Esther 3

Esther 3:2 KJV (With Strong’s)

And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowedn, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed noto, nor did him reverence.

Gen. 41:43• ⁴³And 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. (Gen. 41:43)

Psa. 15:4• ⁴In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. (Psa. 15:4)

More on:

Gate,

Haman,

King,

Mordecai,

Servant,

To Bow Down

Cross References

Ministry on This Verse

the king's servants.Dr. Shaw, speaking of the cities in the East, says, "If we quit the streets, and enter into any of the principal houses, we shall first pass through a porch, or gate-way, with benches on each side, where the master of the family receives visits, and despatches business; few persons, not even the nearest relations, having admission any farther, except upon extraordinary occasions."

These servants were probably officers who here waited the king's call; and it is likely that Mordecai was one of them.

Esther 2:19,21• ¹⁹And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.
²¹In 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. (Esther 2:19,21)

bowed.

Gen. 41:43• ⁴³And 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. (Gen. 41:43)

;

Phil. 2:10• ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Phil. 2:10)

bowed not.{Yichrâ welo yishtachaweh,} "bowed not down, nor prostrated himself," or worshipped him.

Had this meant only civil reverence the king would not have needed to command it; nor would Mordecai have refused it; there was, therefore, some kind of divine honour intended, such as was paid to the Persian kings, and which even the Greeks refused, as express adoration.

Esther 3:1,5• ¹After 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.
⁵And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. (Esther 3:1,5)

;

Ex. 17:14,16• ¹⁴And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
¹⁶For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. (Ex. 17:14,16)

;

Deut. 25:19• ¹⁹Therefore 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. (Deut. 25:19)

;

1 Sam. 15:3• ³Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. (1 Sam. 15:3)

;

Psa. 15:4• ⁴In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. (Psa. 15:4)

• Ex. 17:16. Haman was by birth at enmity with God and with His people. How could Mordecai prostrate himself before him? He ventures his life, but he firmly holds to the true principle and always follows it, that "it is better to obey God than man."...How often, for human considerations or for the fear of man, even Christians have excused their disobedience to God under pretext of obedience to human laws. It was not so with Mordecai. His heart was simple and upright; above all he was subject to God. (“Chapter 3: Mordecai and Esther” by H.L. Rossier)

• For the world allows the compromises of the conscience. To bow down to Haman was, after all, only a form. Was it worth the pains to risk one's life for such trifles? Was it not just a foolish pride? This is the world's viewpoint, but not God's, nor that of the faith which believes Him and follows Him. (“Chapter 3: Mordecai and Esther” by H.L. Rossier)

• To have all bow and prostrate themselves before him was his will. By this he gauged who was for him and it was, so to speak, his mark on their foreheads, to bow themselves into the dust. Mordecai refused this mark, therefore he must perish with his people. (“Chapter 4: The Great Adversary” by H.L. Rossier)

J. N. Darby Translation

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.