הָמָן (ha.man)
ha.man
Haman
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 45 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Haman appears exclusively in the Book of Esther, where it identifies the Persian vizier who sought the destruction of the Jewish people. The lexicon sources note that the name is of foreign derivation, likely Persian or possibly Sanskrit, with one tradition suggesting a meaning related to "magnificent" or "illustrious." This title stands in sharp contrast to his role as the archenemy of Mordecai and the Jews.
Haman is described as the chief minister of King Ahasuerus, married to Zeresh and father to ten sons whose names are recorded in Esther 9. His story centers on a plot to annihilate the Jews, which he attempted by casting lots (pur) to determine the date. The narrative details his downfall, where he was hanged on the very gallows he had constructed for Mordecai, along with his family.
As a proper noun, Haman functions as a singular character study in the biblical text. His name serves as a label for the antagonist whose pride led to his own destruction. The sources emphasize that he is celebrated in the text not for virtue, but for the dramatic reversal of his fortunes, which resulted in the deliverance of his enemies.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Haman stands in the biblical text as a stark warning against the corruption of power and the blindness of pride. As the chief minister who sought to erase an entire people, his story illustrates how ambition can twist justice into cruelty. When we encounter this figure, we are reminded that human schemes, no matter how meticulously planned or politically supported, do not operate outside the awareness of God.
For your faith life, Haman serves as a mirror for the dangers of unchecked anger and entitlement. His refusal to accept rejection from Mordecai escalated into a genocidal plot, showing how small slights can grow into destructive forces when left unchecked. This narrative invites us to examine our own reactions to disrespect or opposition, encouraging patience and humility instead of retaliation.
Ultimately, the story highlights God’s providential care for His people. Though Haman held the king’s ring and issued deadly decrees, his plans were overturned through unexpected means. This offers hope that even in seasons where evil seems powerful and entrenched, deliverance can still arise from places we do not expect.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 45 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Haman38×
- and/ Haman10×
- to/ Haman5×
- from/ Haman1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָמָ֖ן8×
- הָמָ֔ן7×
- הָמָן֙5×
- וְ/הָמָן֙4×
- וְ/הָמָ֣ן3×
- לְ/הָמָ֗ן2×
- לְ/הָמָ֔ן2×
- וְ/הָמָ֔ן2×
- הָמָן֒2×
- הָמָ֨ן2×
- הָמָ֧ן2×
- הָמָ֜ן2×
Key Verses
-
Esther 3:6
But he scorned the thought of laying hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him Mordecai’s people. Therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even Mordecai’s people.
This verse shows how Haman’s personal offense against Mordecai expands into a genocidal plot against all Jews, illustrating the dangerous scale of unchecked pride.
-
Esther 5:9
Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he didn’t stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.
Here Haman’s joy turns to wrath instantly upon seeing Mordecai, revealing his fragile ego and inability to tolerate any slight to his status.
-
Esther 6:6
So Haman came in. The king said to him, “What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman said in his heart, “Who would the king delight to honor more than myself?”
Haman mistakenly believes the king wishes to honor him, demonstrating his self-absorption just before he is forced to honor his enemy instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Haman in the Bible?
What does the name Haman mean?
Why did Haman want to kill the Jews?
Every Occurrence (45 verses across 1 books)
Esther 45 verses
After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat…
Esther 3:2All the king’s servants who were in the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded…
Esther 3:4Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he didn’t listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether…
Esther 3:5When Haman saw that Mordecai didn’t bow down nor pay him homage, Haman was full of wrath.
Esther 3:6But he scorned the thought of laying hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him Mordecai’s people.…
Esther 3:7In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot,…
Esther 3:8Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the…
Esther 3:10The king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
Esther 3:11The king said to Haman, “The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”
Esther 3:12Then the king’s scribes were called in on the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman…
Esther 3:15The couriers went out in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given out in the citadel of Susa. The king…
Esther 4:7Mordecai told him of all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the…
Esther 5:4Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for…
Esther 5:5Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that it may be done as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman came to the…
Esther 5:8If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to perform my…
Esther 5:9Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he didn’t…
Esther 5:10Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home. There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.
Esther 5:11Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the multitude of his children, all the things in which the king had…
Esther 5:12Haman also said, “Yes, Esther the queen let no man come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared but…
Esther 5:14Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning…
Esther 6:4The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had come into the outer court of the king’s house, to speak to the king…
Esther 6:5The king’s servants said to him, “Behold, Haman stands in the court.” The king said, “Let him come in.”
Esther 6:6So Haman came in. The king said to him, “What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman said…
Esther 6:7Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor,
Esther 6:10Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry and take the clothing and the horse, as you have said, and do this for Mordecai the…
Esther 6:11Then Haman took the clothing and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and had him ride through the city square, and…
Esther 6:12Mordecai came back to the king’s gate, but Haman hurried to his house, mourning and having his head covered.
Esther 6:13Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and…
Esther 6:14While they were yet talking with him, the king’s eunuchs came, and hurried to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther…
Esther 7:1So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
Esther 7:6Esther said, “An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman!” Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
Esther 7:7The king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden. Haman stood up to make request…
Esther 7:8Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman had fallen on the…
Esther 7:9Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were with the king, said, “Behold, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has…
Esther 7:10So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath was pacified.
Esther 8:1On that day, King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the Jews’ enemy, to Esther the queen. Mordecai came before the…
Esther 8:2The king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther set Mordecai over the house…
Esther 8:3Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet and begged him with tears to put away the mischief of…
Esther 8:5She said, “If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seems right to the king, and I…
Esther 8:7Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, “See, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and…
Esther 9:10the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jews’ enemy, but they didn’t lay their hand on the plunder.
Esther 9:12The king said to Esther the queen, “The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in the citadel of Susa,…
Esther 9:13Then Esther said, “If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Susa to do tomorrow also according…
Esther 9:14The king commanded this to be done. A decree was given out in Susa; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.
Esther 9:24because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy…