Esther 5:10

Verse

Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh,

American Standard Version (1901)

Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and went home; and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife.

But controlling himself, he went to his house; and he sent for his friends and Zeresh, his wife.

However, Haman controlled himself and he went home. There he invited his friends over. Once they and his wife Zeresh had gathered,

Geneva Bible 1599

Neuerthelesse Haman refrayned himselfe: and when he came home, he sent, and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

King James (Authorized) Version

Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

Translation for Translators

However, he did not show that he was angry; he just went home. Then he gathered together his wife Zeresh and his friends,

Unlocked Literal Bible

Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went to his own house. He sent for his friends and gathered them together, with Zeresh his wife.

Noah Webster Bible

Nevertheless, Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

World English Bible

Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home. There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.

Young's Literal Translation

And Haman forceth himself, and cometh in unto his house, and sendeth, and bringeth in his friends, and Zeresh his wife,

Context

Haman’s Plot against Mordecai

⁹That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.¹⁰Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh,¹¹Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.

Summary

In Esther 5:10, we see Haman's pride and arrogance as he boasts about his wealth, children, and promotion by the king. Despite his outward success, his heart is filled with hatred and evil intentions towards Mordecai and the Jewish people. This verse serves as a warning against the dangers of pride and the consequences of harboring malice in one's heart. It also sets the stage for the unfolding of God's providential plan to deliver His people from destruction through the courageous actions of Queen Esther.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Haman told them of the glory of his riches,.... Of the multitude of them; which he did partly in a way of ostentation, and partly, if he could, to make his mind easy under the mortification he received from Mordecai; and, it may be, chiefly to aggravate his rudeness and ill behaviour towards him, a man of so much wealth: and the multitude of his children; he had ten, as we learn from Est 9:10, but the former Targum enlarges them, beyond credit, to the number of two hundred and eight, besides his ten sons, and Shimshai the scribe; such were had in great esteem with the Persians who had many children; to such the king used to send gifts annually (k): and all the things wherein the king had promoted him; the high offices of honour and trust he had put him into: and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. See Est 3:1. (k) Herodot, Clio, sive, l. 1. c. 136. Strabo. Geograph. l. 15. p. 504.