Esther 6:12

12 And Mardochaeus returned to the palace: but Aman went home 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 Aman, Thou hast well said: so do to Mardochaeus the Jew, who waits in the palace, and let not a word of what thou hast spoken be neglected.

11 So Aman took the robe and the horse, and arrayed Mardochaeus, and mounted him on the horse, and went through the street of the city, and proclaimed, saying, Thus shall it be to every man whom the king wishes to honour.

12 And Mardochaeus returned to the palace: but Aman went home mourning, and having his head covered.

13 And Aman related the events that had befallen him to Zosara his wife, and to friends: and his friends and his wife said to him, If Mardochaeus of the race of the Jews, thou hast begun to be humbled before him, thou wilt assuredly fall, and thou wilt not be able to withstand him, for the living God with him.

14 While they were yet speaking, the chamberlains arrived, to hasten Aman to the banquet which Esther had prepared.