Esther 5:14

Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

Esther 5:14 (KJV)

Context

The book of Esther is set in Persia during the reign of King Ahasuerus, also called Xerxes I. Haman, a high official, hated the Jewish people and planned to destroy them. In Esther 5, Haman had just left the king’s banquet, full of pride because he was the only guest invited with the king to Queen Esther’s feast. Yet his joy turned to bitterness when he saw Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate, refusing to honor him.

Meaning

At home, Haman gathered his wife Zeresh and his friends. They advised him to build a gallows fifty cubits high, about seventy-five feet, and to ask the king the next morning to hang Mordecai on it. The great height was meant to make the execution a public spectacle, bringing maximum shame to Mordecai and warning others. Haman was pleased with the plan and ordered the gallows to be built. His quick satisfaction shows how hatred had blinded him to reason. The counsel seemed wise to him, but it was actually foolish and driven by bitterness.

Biblical connections

The counsel of Zeresh and Haman’s friends was not wise, though it seemed so to him. They encouraged his sinful desire for revenge. This mirrors the biblical truth that the wicked are often caught in their own trap. The same gallows Haman built for Mordecai were later used for Haman’s own death (Esther 7:10). Also, Proverbs 16:18 warns that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Haman’s pride and hatred led him to a plan that became his own ruin. This is a clear example of divine irony, where the schemes of the wicked turn against them.

Application

Haman’s example warns us about the destructiveness of anger and hatred. His desire for revenge made him blind to the consequences. We should guard our hearts against resentment and choose forgiveness instead. The influence of Zeresh and his friends also teaches us to be careful about the counsel we receive. Surround yourself with people who will speak truth and encourage godly wisdom, not those who simply agree with our sinful feelings. When we are angry, we often seek advice that supports our own desires. Instead, we should seek counsel that honors God and leads to peace.

Reflection

Although God is not named in the book of Esther, His providence is clear. Haman’s plan seemed successful, but God was working behind the scenes to protect His people. This verse reminds us that human schemes cannot defeat God’s purposes. We can trust that God sees the wickedness of the heart and will bring justice in His time. Instead of taking vengeance into our own hands, we should rest in God’s sovereignty and wait for Him to act. The gallows, a symbol of death and shame, became the instrument of Haman’s own judgment. This should lead us to reflect on the futility of opposing God’s will and the certainty of His justice.