Illustration created for this project.

Haman

The Persian official who plotted to destroy the Jews and was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai.

Role: Enemy of the Jews

Lived: c. 5th century BC

Born: Susa

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1 Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1

Life, role & deeds

BibleThe Agagite official who plotted to destroy all the Jews, but was hanged on the very gallows he built for Mordecai.

Esther 3:8–9; 7:9–10

↳ Esther · Mordecai

ScholarlyThe book's Persian setting — the citadel of Susa, the king Xerxes, the royal post — fits the Achaemenid court it depicts.

Achaemenid Persian court; the palace at Susa

Where in scripture

Esther

Esther 3:1 Esther 3:6 Esther 4:7 Esther 7:1 Esther 7:6 Esther 7:7 Esther 7:8 Esther 7:9 Esther 7:10 Esther 8:1 Esther 8:2 Esther 8:3 Esther 8:5 Esther 8:7 Esther 9:10 Esther 9:12 Esther 9:13 Esther 9:14 Esther 9:24

Family

In their own words — 5 recorded sayings

“And Haman said to King Ahasuerus, There is a certain nation living here and there in small groups among the people in all the divisions of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of any other nation, and they do not keep the king's laws: for this reason it is not right for the king to let them be. If it is the king's pleasure, let a statement ordering their destruction be put in writing: and I will give to those responsible for the king's business, ten thousand talents of silver for the king's store-house.” — Esther 3:8-9

“And Haman said further, Truly, Esther the queen let no man but myself come in to the feast which she had made ready for the king; and tomorrow again I am to be her guest with the king. But all this is nothing to me while I see Mordecai the Jew seated by the king's doorway.” — Esther 5:12-13

“So Haman came in. And the king said to him, What is to be done to the man whom the king has delight in honouring? Then the thought came into Haman's mind, Whom, more than myself, would the king have pleasure in honouring?” — Esther 6:6

“And Haman, answering the king, said, For the man whom the king has delight in honouring, Let them take the robes which the king generally puts on, and the horse on which the king goes, and the crown which is on his head: And let the robes and the horse be given to one of the king's most noble captains, so that they may put them on the man whom the king has delight in honouring, and let him go on horseback through the streets of the town, with men crying out before him, So let it be done to the man whom the king has delight in honouring.” — Esther 6:7-9

“Then Haman took the robes and the horse, and dressing Mordecai in the robes, he made him go on horseback through the streets of the town, crying out before him, So let it be done to the man whom the king has delight in honouring.” — Esther 6:11

Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).