Lexical Definition
הָמָן Hâmân (haw-mawn') Haman N:N-M-P
of foreign derivation
Haman.
- § Haman = "magnificent"
- Haman, a Persian vizier
1) chief minister of Ahasuerus, enemy of Mordecai and the Jews, who plotted to kill the Jews but, being foiled by Esther, was hanged, with his family, on the gallows he had made for Mordecai
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Est.3.1
- son of: Hammedatha (מְדָתָא); married to Zeresh (זֶרֶשׁ)
- father of: Parshandatha (פַּרְשַׁנְדָּתָא), Dalphon (דַּלְפוֹן), Aspatha (אַסְפָּתָא), Poratha (פּוֹרָתָא), Adalia (אֲדַלְיָא), Aridatha (אֲרִידָתָא), Parmashta (פַּרְמַשְׁתָּא), Arisai (אֲרִיסַי), Aridai (אֲרִידַי), Vaizatha (וַיְזָתָא)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
הָמָן proper name, masculine Haman, favourite of Ahasuerus (etymology dubious; according to JenVOJ 1892, 58 ff. = Elamite proper name, of divinity Humban, or Humman) — Esth 3:1 + 53 t. in Esther.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Esther | 3:1 |
Profile
Male • A Persian man • A Persian official who plotted to destroy the Jews.
Persian living at the time of Exile and Return
Haman, a high-ranking Persian official, conspired to kill all the Jews in the empire but was ultimately thwarted by Queen Esther and Mordecai.
- A Persian man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Est.3.1;
- only referred to as Haman הָמָן;
- a son of Hammedatha מְדָתָא;
- husband of Zeresh זֶרֶשׁ;
- father of Parshandatha פַּרְשַׁנְדָּתָא, Dalphon דַּלְפוֹן, Aspatha אַסְפָּתָא, Poratha פּוֹרָתָא, Adalia אֲדַלְיָא, Aridatha אֲרִידָתָא, Parmashta פַּרְמַשְׁתָּא, Arisai אֲרִיסַי, Aridai אֲרִידַי, Vaizatha וַיְזָתָא.
Haman is the primary antagonist in the book of Esther. He was an Agagite, a descendant of the Amalekite kings, and a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I). Haman was promoted to a position of authority and commanded all the royal officials to bow down to him (Esther 3:1-2). However, Mordecai, a Jew, refused to bow to Haman (Esther 3:2-4). Enraged, Haman plotted to destroy not only Mordecai but all the Jews in the empire (Esther 3:5-6). He convinced the king to issue a decree ordering the extermination of the Jews (Esther 3:8-15). Haman also had a gallows built to hang Mordecai (Esther 5:14). However, Haman's plans were thwarted by Queen Esther, who revealed her Jewish identity to the king and exposed Haman's plot (Esther 7:1-6). The king ordered Haman to be hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai (Esther 7:7-10). Haman's ten sons were also executed (Esther 9:10-14). The king then issued a new decree, allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies (Esther 8:1-14). Haman's story serves as a powerful example of how God can use individuals to protect His people and bring about justice, even in the face of great adversity.
All entries for Haman: הָמָן