Esther 6:12

12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief,

Esther 6:12 in Other Translations

12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

12 Then Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered.

12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home dejected and completely humiliated.

12 Then Mordecai returned to the King's Gate, but Haman fled to his house, thoroughly mortified, hiding his face.

12 Then Mordecai returned to the King's Gate, but Haman, overwhelmed, hurried off for home with 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 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief,

13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”

14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 15:30; Esther 7:8; Jeremiah 14:3,4; Micah 3:7