Bible Strands
Esther 3:5
When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Haman observes Mordecai at the king’s gate after his officials repeatedly warn him and report that Mordecai identifies as a Jew. This moment captures the immediate aftermath of those warnings when Haman registers the refusal.
The words — The text records וַ/יִּמָּלֵ֥א (va/i.yi.ma.Le') as "and he was filled," describing Haman’s sudden emotional state, and כֹּרֵ֥עַ (ko.Re.a') as "[was] kneeling," denoting the physical posture Mordecai refuses to assume.
The thread — The expectation of bowing to a royal decree appears in Esther 3:2, while the motif of a ruler “filled with rage” at defiance parallels Daniel 3:19 and reoccurs when Haman encounters Mordecai again in Esther 5:9.
Why it lands — The verse presents a direct collision between enforced conformity and personal refusal, requiring a reader to confront the cost of maintaining a stance when institutional authority demands compliance.
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 when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
Cross-references
- 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.
- Daniel 3:19 At this, Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual,
- 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.
- Proverbs 21:24 Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.
- Genesis 4:5 but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.
- Esther 1:12 Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him.
- Job 5:2 For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.
- Proverbs 12:16 A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
- Proverbs 19:19 A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
- Proverbs 27:3 A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.