Esther 6:13
New International Version
and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”

New Living Translation
When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, “Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.”

English Standard Version
And Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.”

Berean Standard Bible
Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is Jewish, you will not prevail against him—for surely you will fall before him.”

King James Bible
And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.

New King James Version
When Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him.”

New American Standard Bible
And Haman informed Zeresh his wife and all his friends of everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish origin, you will not prevail over him, but will certainly fall before him.”

NASB 1995
Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish origin, you will not overcome him, but will surely fall before him.”

NASB 1977
And Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish origin, you will not overcome him, but will surely fall before him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the seed of the Jews, you will not overcome him, but will surely fall before him.”

Amplified Bible
Then Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise counselors and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall in status, is of Jewish heritage, you will not overcome him, but will certainly fall before him.”

Christian Standard Bible
Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai is Jewish, and you have begun to fall before him, you won’t overcome him, because your downfall is certain.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai is Jewish, and you have begun to fall before him, you won’t overcome him, because your downfall is certain.”

American Standard Version
And Haman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.

Contemporary English Version
Haman told his wife and friends what had happened. Then his wife and his advisors said, "If Mordecai is a Jew, this is just the beginning of your troubles! You will end up a ruined man."

English Revised Version
And Haman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There, Haman began to relate in detail to his wife Zeresh and to all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his counselors and his wife Zeresh told him, "You are starting to lose power to Mordecai. If Mordecai is of Jewish descent, you will never win out over him. He will certainly lead to your downfall."

Good News Translation
He told his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then she and those wise friends of his told him, "You are beginning to lose power to Mordecai. He is a Jew, and you cannot overcome him. He will certainly defeat you."

International Standard Version
Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His wise friends and his wife Zeresh told him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is one of the Jewish people, you won't prevail against him. Instead, you will surely fall before him."

Majority Standard Bible
Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is Jewish, you will not prevail against him—for surely you will fall before him.”

NET Bible
Haman then related to his wife Zeresh and to all his friends everything that had happened to him. These wise men, along with his wife Zeresh, said to him, "If indeed this Mordecai before whom you have begun to fall is Jewish, you will not prevail against him. No, you will surely fall before him!"

New Heart English Bible
Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife to him, If Mordecai is of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou wilt not prevail against him, but wilt surely fall before him.

World English Bible
Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Haman recounts to his wife Zeresh, and to all his friends, all that has met him, and his wise men and his wife Zeresh say to him, “If Mordecai [is] of the seed of the Jews, before whom you have begun to fall, you are not able for him, but certainly fall before him.”

Young's Literal Translation
and Haman recounteth to Zeresh his wife, and to all his friends, all that hath met him, and his wise men say to him, and Zeresh his wife, 'If Mordecai is of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou art not able for him, but dost certainly fall before him.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Haman will recount to Zeresh his wife, and to all his friends, all which befell him. And his wise men and Zeresh his wife will say to him, If Mordecai be from the seed of the Jews which thou didst begin to fall before him, thou shalt not prevail against him; for falling, thou shalt fall before him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he told Zares his wife, and his friends, all that had befallen him. And the wise men whom he had in counsel, and his wife answered him: If Mardochai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou canst not resist him, but thou shalt fall in his sight.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he explained to Zeresh his wife and to his friends all that had happened to him. And the wise men, whom he held in counsel, and his wife, answered him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is from the offspring of the Jews, you will not be able to withstand him, but you will fall in his sight.”

New American Bible
When he told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you are beginning to fall, is of Jewish ancestry, you will not prevail against him, but will surely be defeated by him.”

New Revised Standard Version
When Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is of the Jewish people, you will not prevail against him, but will surely fall before him.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Haman told Zeresh his wife everything that had befallen him. Then his friends and Zeresh his wife said to him, If Mordecai is of the Jewish race, before whom you have begun to fall, you shall not prevail against him, but will surely again be humbled before him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Haman related to Zaresh his wife everything that had happened to him, and his friends and Zaresh his wife were saying to him: “Surely Murdacai is of the seed of the Jews and you have begun to fall before him, for you are no match for his power, but again you are falling before him!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Haman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him: 'If Mordecai, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Aman related the events that had befallen him to Zosara his wife, and to his friends: and his friends and his wife said to him, If Mardochaeus be of the race of the Jews, and thou hast begun to be humbled before him, thou wilt assuredly fall, and thou wilt not be able to withstand him, for the living God is with him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Mordecai is Honored
12Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief. 13Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is Jewish, you will not prevail against him— for surely you will fall before him.” 14While they were still speaking with Haman, the king’s eunuchs arrived and rushed him to the banquet that Esther had prepared.…

Cross References
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Psalm 9:15-16
The nations have fallen into a pit of their making; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. / The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion Selah

Daniel 4:37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.

Proverbs 11:5
The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

Psalm 7:14-16
Behold, the wicked man travails with evil; he conceives trouble and births falsehood. / He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. / His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.

Isaiah 14:12-15
How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ...

Proverbs 26:27
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

Psalm 37:12-15
The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, / but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming. / The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. ...

Job 5:12-14
He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. / He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning. / They encounter darkness by day and grope at noon as in the night.

1 Samuel 2:3
Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed.

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?


Treasury of Scripture

And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife to him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom you have begun to fall, you shall not prevail against him, but shall surely fall before him.

Zeresh.

Esther 5:10-14
Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife…

said his wise.

Genesis 41:8
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

Daniel 2:12
For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

If Mordecai.

Genesis 40:19
Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

1 Samuel 28:19,20
Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines…

Job 15:24
Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

but shalt surely.

Job 16:2
I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

Proverbs 28:18
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

Hosea 14:9
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

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Befallen Begun Descent Fall Friends Haman Jewish Jews Mordecai Prevail Recounted Seed Surely Wife Wise Zeresh
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Befallen Begun Descent Fall Friends Haman Jewish Jews Mordecai Prevail Recounted Seed Surely Wife Wise Zeresh
Esther 6
1. Xerxes, reading of the good service done by Mordecai, takes care for his reward.
4. Haman, coming to ask that Mordecai might be hanged,
10. gives counsel that he might do him honor.
12. Complaining of this, his friends tell him of his final destiny.














When Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him
This phrase sets the stage for a pivotal moment in the narrative. Haman, who had been riding high on his own pride and ambition, is now forced to recount his humiliation. The Hebrew root for "told" (נָגַד, nagad) implies a declaration or making something known, often with a sense of confession or admission. This is significant as it marks a turning point where Haman's plans begin to unravel. The mention of "his wife Zeresh and all his friends" indicates that Haman sought counsel and validation from those closest to him, reflecting the cultural importance of family and community in decision-making processes during this period.

his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him
The "wise men" (חֲכָמִים, chakamim) were likely advisors or counselors, a common practice in ancient courts where leaders surrounded themselves with those considered knowledgeable or insightful. The inclusion of "his wife Zeresh" highlights her influence and the role of women in providing counsel within the household. This phrase underscores the gravity of the situation, as even those who would typically support Haman are now foreseeing his downfall.

Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is of Jewish origin
The identification of Mordecai as "of Jewish origin" (מִזֶּרַע הַיְּהוּדִים, mi-zera ha-Yehudim) is crucial. It not only highlights Mordecai's ethnic and religious identity but also alludes to the covenantal relationship between God and the Jewish people. Historically, the Jews were often seen as a people set apart, with divine protection and purpose. The phrase "before whom your downfall has begun" suggests a recognition of a divine or fateful element at play, as Haman's plans against Mordecai and the Jews are beginning to backfire.

you cannot stand against him
This phrase is a stark admission of defeat. The Hebrew root for "stand" (עָמַד, amad) conveys the idea of enduring or maintaining one's position. The advisors and Zeresh acknowledge that Haman's opposition to Mordecai is futile, hinting at a larger, perhaps divine, force at work that Haman cannot overcome. This reflects a biblical theme where human pride and plans are often thwarted by God's sovereign will.

you will surely come to ruin
The certainty of Haman's downfall is emphasized by the phrase "you will surely come to ruin" (נָפֹל תִּפּוֹל, nafol tipol). The repetition of the root for "fall" (נָפַל, naphal) in Hebrew intensifies the inevitability of his destruction. This prophetic declaration serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of pride and enmity against God's people. It also foreshadows the ultimate reversal of fortunes that is a hallmark of the Book of Esther, where the plans of the wicked are overturned, and the righteous are vindicated.

(13) Told.--The same word as on a former occasion. Esther 5:11. Then the tale was one of boastful pride in what he had, and no less boastful pride in what he hoped to be; now it is of bitter disappointment and bitter anticipation, not brightened by any of the thoughts which blunt the keenness of many a sorrow, as when men have nobly done their duty, though it is not God's will that their efforts should succeed for the time, and when the hope could be cherished that a brighter time must dawn before long. Nothing of this comfort could be Hainan's. He had' not failed in an honest discharge of his duty, but in a cruel and unjust scheme (not that the king can be called a whit better in this matter); he knew the usages of his country far too well to suppose for a moment that, after having made such an attempt, and having failed, he would be allowed to try a second time.

If Mordecai . . . before whom thou hast begun . . .--Poor comfort does the unfortunate schemer get from his household; he knew too well already that he had begun to fall, his heart must have told him all too truly that it was but the beginning: what then could he expect from this communication to his family? Had he been the representative of a fallen cause, fallen but not discredited, despairing even of his cause, yet not ashamed of the course that had resulted thus, he might have been helped with counsel and cheering and sympathy. Contrast Zeresh's perhaps last words to her husband with those, for example, of the wife of good John Rogers, or of Rowland Taylor, on their way. to the stake, in the days of the Marian persecution.

Verse 13. - His wise men. Magians, perhaps, whom he was in the habit of consulting concerning the future. On the supposed prophetic powers of the Magians see Herod., 1:107, 120; 7:19; Duris, Fr. 7, etc. If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews. It is difficult to understand how this could any longer be regarded as doubtful. His fellow servants knew it (Esther 3:4); Haman knew it (ibid. ver. 6); Ahasuerus knew it (supra, ver. 10). The "wise men" profess to regard it as uncertain, perhaps to give their words a more oracular character. Thou shalt surely fall. Rather, "thou shalt utterly fall."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Haman
הָמָ֜ן (hā·mān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2001: Haman -- to rage, be turbulent

told
וַיְסַפֵּ֨ר (way·sap·pêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

his wife
אִשְׁתּוֹ֙ (’iš·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

Zeresh
לְזֶ֤רֶשׁ (lə·ze·reš)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2238: Zeresh -- wife of Haman

and all
וּלְכָל־ (ū·lə·ḵāl-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his friends
אֹ֣הֲבָ֔יו (’ō·hă·ḇāw)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

everything
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had happened.
קָרָ֑הוּ (qā·rā·hū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7136: To light upon, to bring about, to impose timbers

His advisers
חֲכָמָ֜יו (ḥă·ḵā·māw)
Adjective - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

and his wife
אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ (’iš·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

Zeresh
וְזֶ֣רֶשׁ (wə·ze·reš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2238: Zeresh -- wife of Haman

said
וַיֹּ֩אמְרוּ֩ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to him,
ל֨וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

“Since
אִ֣ם (’im)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

Mordecai,
מָרְדֳּכַ֞י (mā·rə·do·ḵay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4782: Mordecai -- a companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Esther

before
לְפָנָיו֙ (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

whom
אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

your downfall
לִנְפֹּ֤ל (lin·pōl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

has begun,
הַחִלּ֨וֹתָ (ha·ḥil·lō·w·ṯā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

is Jewish,
הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים (hay·yə·hū·ḏîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3064: Jews -- Jewish

you will not prevail
תוּכַ֣ל (ṯū·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

against him—
ל֔וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

surely
נָפ֥וֹל (nā·p̄ō·wl)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

you will fall
תִּפּ֖וֹל (tip·pō·wl)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

before him.”
לְפָנָֽיו׃ (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face


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OT History: Esther 6:13 Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 6:12
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