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But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/esther/3-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/17_Est_03_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Esther 3:2 - Haman Plots Against the Jews" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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. 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But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. <a href="/nlt/esther/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect. <a href="/esv/esther/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. <a href="/bsb/esther/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/esther/3.htm">King James Bible</a> And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. <a href="/nkjv/esther/3.htm">New King James Version</a> And all the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage. <a href="/nasb_/esther/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> All the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman; for so the king had commanded regarding him. But Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage. <a href="/nasb/esther/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> All the king&#8217s servants who were at the king&#8217s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman; for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage. <a href="/nasb77/esther/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman; for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage. <a href="/lsb/esther/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate were bowing down and prostrating themselves before Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow down or prostrate himself. <a href="/amp/esther/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> All the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate [in royal service] bowed down and honored and paid homage to Haman; for this is what the king had commanded in regard to him. But Mordecai [a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin] neither bowed down nor paid homage [to him]. <a href="/csb/esther/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The entire royal staff at the King’s Gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded this to be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage. <a href="/hcsb/esther/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The entire royal staff at the King&#8217s Gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded this to be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage. <a href="/asv/esther/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed down, and did reverence to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence. <a href="/cev/esther/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and the king had given orders for his officials at the royal gate to honor Haman by kneeling down to him. All of them obeyed except Mordecai. <a href="/erv/esther/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed down, and did reverence to Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence. <a href="/gwt/esther/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> All the king's advisers were at the king's gate, kneeling and bowing to Haman with their faces touching the ground, because the king had commanded it. But Mordecai would not kneel and bow to him. <a href="/gnt/esther/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> The king ordered all the officials in his service to show their respect for Haman by kneeling and bowing to him. They all did so, except for Mordecai, who refused to do it. <a href="/isv/esther/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> All the king's ministers who were in the king's gate would kneel and bow down to Haman, because the king had commanded that Haman be honored in this way. Mordecai, however, would not kneel and would not bow down. <a href="/msb/esther/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/esther/3.htm">NET Bible</a> As a result, all the king's servants who were at the king's gate were bowing and paying homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded. However, Mordecai did not bow, nor did he pay him homage. <a href="/nheb/esther/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> All the king's servants who were in the King's Gate bowed down, and paid homage to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay him homage. <a href="/wbt/esther/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And all the king's servants that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. <a href="/web/esther/3.htm">World English Bible</a> All the king’s servants who were in the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai didn’t bow down or pay him homage. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/esther/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and all servants of the king, who [are] in the gate of the king, are bowing and doing homage to Haman, for so the king has commanded for him; and Mordecai does not bow nor pay respect. <a href="/ylt/esther/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and all servants of the king, who are in the gate of the king, are bowing and doing obeisance to Haman, for so hath the king commanded for him; and Mordecai doth not bow nor do obeisance. <a href="/slt/esther/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And all the king's servants which were in the king's gate were bowing and worshiping to Haman; for thus the king commanded for him. And Mordecai will not bow, and he will not worship.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/esther/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And all the king's servants, that were at the doors of the palace, bent their knees, and worshipped Aman: for so the emperor had commanded them, only Mardochai did not bend his knee, nor worship him. <a href="/cpdv/esther/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 5:2>And all the king’s servants, who passed by the doors of the palace, bent their knees and adored Haman, for so the ruler had instructed them. Only Mordecai did not bend his knee, nor adore him. <a href="/nabre/esther/3.htm">New American Bible</a> All the king’s servants who were at the royal gate would kneel and bow down to Haman, for that is what the king had ordered in his regard. Mordecai, however, would not kneel and bow down. <a href="/nrsvce/esther/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and did obeisance to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or do obeisance.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/esther/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and did obeisance to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow nor pay him reverence. <a href="/hpbt/esther/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And all the Servants of the King who were at the gate of the King were kneeling and they worshiped Haman, because thus the King commanded concerning him, and Murdacai was not kneeling or worshiping.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/esther/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed down, and prostrated themselves before Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor prostrated himself before him. <a href="/sep/esther/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And all in the palace did him obeisance, for so the king had given orders to do: but Mardochaeus did not do him obeisance. <a href="/parallel/esther/3-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRosJDhNG-8?start=583" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/esther/3.htm">Haman Plots Against the Jews</a> 1After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him. 2<a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">All</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the royal</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·ḏê (N-mpc) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">at the king’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: bə·ša·‘ar (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">gate</a> <a href="/hebrew/3766.htm" title="3766: kō·rə·‘îm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate.">bowed down</a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: ū·miš·ta·ḥă·wîm (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-mp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">and paid homage</a> <a href="/hebrew/2001.htm" title="2001: lə·hā·mān (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Haman -- to rage, be turbulent. Of foreign derivation; Haman, a Persian vizier.">to Haman,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: ṣiw·wāh- (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">had commanded</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: ḵên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">that this be done</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">for him.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4782.htm" title="4782: ū·mā·rə·do·ḵay (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Esther. Of foreign derivation; Mordecai, an Israelite.">But Mordecai</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">would not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3766.htm" title="3766: yiḵ·ra‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate.">bow down</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: yiš·ta·ḥă·weh (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3ms) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">or pay homage.</a> 3Then the royal servants at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the command of the king?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/daniel/3-5.htm">Daniel 3:5-6</a> As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. / And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.” <a href="/genesis/41-43.htm">Genesis 41:43</a> He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, with men calling out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt. <a href="/exodus/17-14.htm">Exodus 17:14-16</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” / And Moses built an altar and named it The LORD Is My Banner. / “Indeed,” he said, “a hand was lifted up toward the throne of the LORD. The LORD will war against Amalek from generation to generation.” <a href="/1_samuel/15-2.htm">1 Samuel 15:2-3</a> This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them on their way up from Egypt. / Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” <a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">1 Samuel 15:32-33</a> Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him cheerfully, for he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” / But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal. <a href="/2_samuel/14-4.htm">2 Samuel 14:4</a> When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!” <a href="/2_kings/17-36.htm">2 Kings 17:36</a> Instead, worship the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him and offer sacrifices to Him. <a href="/nehemiah/5-9.htm">Nehemiah 5:9</a> So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies? <a href="/psalms/15-4.htm">Psalm 15:4</a> who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath, <a href="/psalms/138-6.htm">Psalm 138:6</a> Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. <a href="/proverbs/16-18.htm">Proverbs 16:18</a> Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. <a href="/isaiah/45-23.htm">Isaiah 45:23</a> By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance. <a href="/matthew/4-9.htm">Matthew 4:9-10</a> “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” / “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” <a href="/matthew/23-12.htm">Matthew 23:12</a> For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. <a href="/luke/4-7.htm">Luke 4:7-8</a> So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.” / But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.the king's servants.<a href="/esther/2-19.htm">Esther 2:19,21</a> And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate… bowed.<a href="/genesis/41-43.htm">Genesis 41:43</a> And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.<a href="/philippians/2-10.htm">Philippians 2:10</a> That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;bowed not.<a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Esther 3:1,5</a> After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him… <a href="/exodus/17-14.htm">Exodus 17:14,16</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven… <a href="/deuteronomy/25-19.htm">Deuteronomy 25:19</a> Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/8-6.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-6.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Bowing</a> <a href="/esther/2-20.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/esther/2-21.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Haman</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/24-17.htm">Homage</a> <a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/esther/2-19.htm">House</a> <a href="/esther/2-23.htm">King's</a> <a href="/genesis/24-11.htm">Kneel</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-29.htm">Knelt</a> <a href="/esther/2-22.htm">Mordecai</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-6.htm">Obeisance</a> <a href="/esther/2-23.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-34.htm">Paid</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-4.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Prostrated</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-31.htm">Reverence</a> <a href="/joshua/4-24.htm">Reverenced</a> <a href="/esther/2-18.htm">Royal</a> <a href="/esther/2-18.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-22.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/esther/3-5.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/esther/3-5.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/esther/3-5.htm">Bowing</a> <a href="/esther/3-12.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/esther/3-3.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/esther/3-4.htm">Haman</a> <a href="/esther/3-5.htm">Homage</a> <a href="/esther/3-5.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/esther/3-3.htm">House</a> <a href="/esther/3-3.htm">King's</a> <a href="/esther/3-5.htm">Kneel</a> <a href="/matthew/9-18.htm">Knelt</a> <a href="/esther/3-3.htm">Mordecai</a> <a href="/esther/3-5.htm">Obeisance</a> <a href="/esther/3-3.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/esther/3-5.htm">Paid</a> <a href="/esther/3-5.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/esther/3-5.htm">Prostrated</a> <a href="/esther/3-5.htm">Reverence</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-9.htm">Reverenced</a> <a href="/esther/3-3.htm">Royal</a> <a href="/esther/3-3.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/esther/8-11.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Esther 3</div>1. <a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Haman, advanced by the king, and despised by Mordecai, seeks revenge upon the Jews.</a> 7. <a href="/esther/3-7.htm">He casts lots.</a> 8. <a href="/esther/3-8.htm">He obtains by false accusations a decree of the king to put the Jews to death.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Bowing and paying homage were customary practices in ancient Near Eastern cultures, signifying respect and submission to authority. Haman, having been elevated to a high position by King Xerxes, was accorded such honor. This act of bowing was not merely a gesture of respect but also a recognition of Haman's authority and the king's decree. The practice of bowing to officials is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as in <a href="/genesis/41-43.htm">Genesis 41:43</a>, where Joseph is honored in Egypt.because the king had commanded that this be done for him The command from the king underscores the absolute power and authority of the Persian monarch, whose edicts were irrevocable and had to be obeyed without question. This reflects the hierarchical and autocratic nature of the Persian Empire, where the king's word was law. The king's command also highlights the political dynamics at play, as Haman's position was not just one of personal power but was backed by royal authority. This mirrors the decree in <a href="/daniel/3-10.htm">Daniel 3:10</a>, where King Nebuchadnezzar commands all to worship the golden image.But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage Mordecai's refusal to bow to Haman is a pivotal moment in the narrative, reflecting his steadfastness and commitment to his faith and principles. This act of defiance can be seen as a refusal to give divine honor to a man, which aligns with the Jewish prohibition against idolatry. Mordecai's actions echo those of Daniel and his friends, who refused to worship the king's image (<a href="/daniel/3-12.htm">Daniel 3:12</a>). This resistance sets the stage for the conflict that follows and highlights the theme of faithfulness to God over compliance with human authority. Mordecai's stance can be seen as a type of Christ, who also stood firm in the face of opposition and did not conform to worldly demands.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/h/haman.htm">Haman</a> A high-ranking official in the Persian Empire, appointed by King Xerxes. He is the antagonist in the account, seeking to destroy the Jewish people. 2. <a href="/topical/m/mordecai.htm">Mordecai</a> A Jew living in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire. He is Esther's cousin and guardian, known for his faithfulness to God and his refusal to bow to Haman. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_king's_gate.htm">The King's Gate</a> A significant location in the Persian Empire where official business was conducted. It is where Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. 4. <a href="/topical/k/king_xerxes.htm">King Xerxes (Ahasuerus)</a> The Persian king who elevated Haman to a position of power, leading to the events of this chapter. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_royal_servants.htm">The Royal Servants</a> Individuals who served at the king's gate and complied with the king's command to bow to Haman, highlighting the contrast with Mordecai's actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_over_conformity.htm">Faithfulness Over Conformity</a> Mordecai's refusal to bow to Haman exemplifies the importance of remaining faithful to God's commandments, even when societal pressures demand conformity. <a href="/topical/c/courage_in_the_face_of_persecution.htm">Courage in the Face of Persecution</a> Mordecai's actions remind believers that standing for one's faith may lead to persecution, but God honors those who are courageous for His sake. <a href="/topical/t/the_influence_of_godly_character.htm">The Influence of Godly Character</a> Mordecai's integrity and steadfastness serve as a powerful witness to others, encouraging believers to live out their faith boldly. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_authority_and_obedience.htm">Understanding Authority and Obedience</a> While Christians are called to respect authority, Mordecai's example shows that God's law is the ultimate authority, guiding when to obey or resist human commands.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_esther_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Esther 3</a> <a href="/q/extra-biblical_proof_of_bowing_edict.htm">Esther 3:2–3 – Are there any extra-biblical records confirming that an edict required all palace officials to bow to one man? </a> <a href="/q/who_was_mordecai_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Mordecai in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_esther_save_her_people.htm">How did Esther save her people from Xerxes' decree?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_mordecai's_rise_in_esther_8_2.htm">What evidence exists that supports Mordecai's elevation to high authority in Esther 8:2, considering Persian records rarely reference Jewish officials?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/esther/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) Bowed not.--Perhaps, rather, did not prostrate himself, for such was the ordinary Eastern practice (see Herod. iii. 86, vii. 7, 34, 136, viii. 118). The objection on Mordecai's part was evidently mainly on religious grounds, as giving to a man Divine honours (Josephus l.c.), for it elicits from him the fact that he was a Jew (<a href="/esther/3-4.htm" title="Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he listened not to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.">Esther 3:4</a>), to whom such an act of obeisance would be abhorrent. Whether Mordecai also rebelled against the ignominious character of the obeisance, we cannot say.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/esther/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - All the king's servants. Literally, "the king's slaves" - the lower officers of the court, porters and others, of about the same rank as Mordecai. Bowed and reverenced Haman. i.e. prostrated themselves before him in the usual Oriental fashion. For the king had so commanded. No reason is assigned for this order, which was certainly unusual, since the prostration of an inferior before a superior was a general rule (Herod., 1:134). Perhaps Haman had been elevated from a very low position, and the king therefore thought a special order requisite. Mordecai bowed not. Greeks occasionally refused to prostrate themselves before the Great King himself, saying that it was not their custom to worship men (Herod., 7:136; Plut., 'Vit. Artax.,' § 22; Arrian., 'Exp. Alex.,' 4:10-12, etc.). Mordecai seems to have had the same feeling. Prostration was, he thought, an act of worship, and it was not proper to worship any one excepting God (see <a href="/revelation/22-9.htm">Revelation 22:9</a>). <a href="/commentaries/esther/3-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>All וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the royal הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king servants עַבְדֵ֨י (‘aḇ·ḏê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant at the King’s הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king Gate בְּשַׁ֣עַר (bə·ša·‘ar) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> An opening, door, gate bowed down כֹּרְעִ֤ים (kō·rə·‘îm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3766.htm">Strong's 3766: </a> To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate and paid homage וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִים֙ (ū·miš·ta·ḥă·wîm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> To depress, prostrate to Haman, לְהָמָ֔ן (lə·hā·mān) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2001.htm">Strong's 2001: </a> Haman -- to rage, be turbulent because כִּי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction the king הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king had commanded צִוָּה־ (ṣiw·wāh-) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order this כֵ֖ן (ḵên) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> So -- thus for him. ל֣וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> But Mordecai וּמָ֨רְדֳּכַ֔י (ū·mā·rə·do·ḵay) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4782.htm">Strong's 4782: </a> Mordecai -- a companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Esther would not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no bow down יִכְרַ֖ע (yiḵ·ra‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3766.htm">Strong's 3766: </a> To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate or pay homage. יִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶֽה׃ (yiš·ta·ḥă·weh) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> To depress, prostrate <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/esther/3-2.htm">OT History: Esther 3:2 All the king's servants who were (Est Esth. Es) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/esther/3-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Esther 3:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Esther 3:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/esther/3-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Esther 3:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Esther 3:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>