Bible Strands
Esther 3:2
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The royal servants at the king’s gate obey a royal command to bow to Haman, while Mordecai alone refuses to perform that act. This confrontation occurs immediately after King Xerxes elevates Haman above all other princes.
The words — The Hebrew כֹּרְעִים (ko.re.'Im) and מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים (mish.ta.cha.Vim) literally denote kneeling and bowing down as physical acts of homage. These verbs describe the specific submission the king mandated for Haman.
The thread — The refusal occurs at the same location where Mordecai previously served (Esther 2:21) and directly provokes Haman’s rage when he notices the same disobedience (Esther 3:5; Esther 5:9).
Why it lands — The text records a stark contrast between enforced court compliance and personal noncompliance, leaving the reader to trace how a single refusal disrupts established protocol.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Esther 2:21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, grew angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
- Esther 3:5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage.
- Esther 5:9 That 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.
- Psalms 15:4 who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,
- Genesis 41:43 He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, with men calling out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.
- Exodus 17:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”
- Exodus 17:16 “Indeed,” he said, “a hand was lifted up toward the throne of the LORD. The LORD will war against Amalek from generation to generation.”
- Deuteronomy 25:19 When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!
- Esther 2:19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.
- Esther 3:1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.