Esther 6:12

12 After that Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman hastened to his house mourning and having his head covered.

Esther 6:12 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 6:12

And Mordecai came again to the king's gate
To attend his post and office at court; which confirms what has been already hinted, that he was in some office in the court, which this phrase is expressive of, and not a porter at the gate; for it is not probable he should return to such a station, after so much honour had been done him; and much less that he returned to his sackcloth and fasting, as Jarchi and the former Targum; since he might reasonably conclude things were taking a turn in his favour, and that of his people; though as yet he knew not what success Esther had had, to wait for which he returned to court:

but Haman hasted to his house;
pushed forward as fast as he could:

mourning;
at his sad disappointment:

and having his head covered;
through grief and sorrow, confusion and shame; so Demosthenes, being hissed, went home with his head covered {c}, as confounded and ashamed to be seen ^F4.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 Plutarch in Demosthene.
F4 See more instances in Lively's Chronology of the Persian monarchy, p. 18, 19.

Esther 6:12 In-Context

10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do so unto Mordecai, the Jew, that sits at the king’s gate; let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.

11 Then Haman took the apparel and the horse and clothed Mordecai and brought him on horseback through the plaza of the city and caused it to be proclaimed before him, Thus shall be done unto the man whom the king delights to honour.

12 After that Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman hastened to his house mourning and having his head covered.

13 And Haman told Zeresh, his wife, and all his friends all that had befallen him. Then his wise men and Zeresh, his wife, said unto him, If Mordecai is of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.

14 And while they were yet talking with him, the king’s eunuchs came in haste to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.