Esther 3:2
BSB · Public Domain (CC0)“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 short, plain-language explanation of Esther 3:2 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.
“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.”
Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)“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.”
King James Version · Public Domain“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.”
American Standard Version · Public Domain“and all servants of the king, who <FI>are<Fi> 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.”
Young's Literal Translation · Public DomainOther passages that echo Esther 3:2 — 15 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 41:43He 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.
- Exodus 17:14Then 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.”
- Exodus 17:16“Indeed,” he said, “a hand was lifted up toward the throne of the LORD. The LORD will war against Amalek from generation to generation.”
- Deuteronomy 25:19When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!
- 1 Samuel 15:3Now 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.’”
- Esther 2:5Now there was at the citadel of Susa a Jewish man from the tribe of Benjamin named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish.
- Esther 2:19When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.
- Esther 2:21In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, grew angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
- Esther 3:1After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.
- Esther 3:3Then the royal servants at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the command of the king?”
- Esther 3:5When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage.
- Esther 5:9That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.
- Psalms 15:4who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,
- Daniel 2:49And at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.
- Philippians 2:10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).