Esther 6:13

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Esther 6:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Esther 6:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Esther 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And 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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Haman told Zeresh his wife, and all his friends, every thing that had befallen him, etc.] How he was prevented speaking to the king on this errand he went; instead of which, he had the mortification of being obliged to do the honour to Mordecai which he thought would never have been given to any but himself, and so related the whole affair as above: then said his wise men; before called his friends; perhaps they were magicians and soothsayers he kept in his house, to advise with about the proper methods and times of advancing himself, and destroying his enemies: and Zeresh his wife unto him; who joined with the wise men in giving her opinion, and who set up for a knowing woman, and of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wise men - The magicians, whom after the Persian manner he had called together to consult upon this strange emergency. Esther 6:14”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:13 Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans: Haman’s wife and friends could see that this was more than just a series of coincidences. The text does not explain why Zeresh and the advisers felt that the fact of Mordecai’s Jewish heritage would necessarily mean that Haman’s plans would not succeed.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Zeresh: Est 5:10-14 said his wise: Gen 41:8; Dan 2:12 If Mordecai: Gen 40:19; Sa1 28:19, Sa1 28:20; Job 15:24; Dan 5:26-28; Zac 12:2, Zac 12:3 but shalt surely: Job 16:2; Pro 28:18; Hos 14:9 Esther 6:14”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification