And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

ESTHER 6:9KJV
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Esther 6:9 (KJV)

What does Esther 6:9 mean?

Esther 6:9 describes how the king’s most noble prince is to dress the man whom the king wants to honor in royal clothes, place him on the king’s horse, and lead him through the city streets while proclaiming his honor to everyone. This verse lays out a public display of recognition and celebration for someone the king wishes to show special favor.

In this scene, Haman is speaking to King Ahasuerus, suggesting an elaborate way to honor someone, not realizing the king means to honor Mordecai. The verse details the specific steps for this honor: the involvement of a high-ranking prince, royal garments, the king’s own horse, and a public announcement. The focus is on making the honor unmistakable and widely seen in the city.

The Hebrew behind Esther 6:9

  • "apparel" (לְבוּשׁ, levush): This word refers to special clothing, often associated with royalty or high status. Here, it emphasizes that the honored person is to be dressed in garments that clearly mark him as favored by the king.
  • "noble" (פַּרְתְּמִים, partemim): This term points to someone of high rank or nobility. The involvement of such a person in the ceremony shows the importance and prestige of the honor being given.
  • "proclaim" (קָרָא, qara): This verb means to call out or announce publicly. The public proclamation ensures that everyone knows exactly why the person is being honored and by whose authority.
  • "delighteth" (חָפֵץ, chaphets): This word means to take pleasure in or desire. It highlights that the honor is not random but is given to someone the king personally values.

Why Esther 6:9 matters

  • Esther 6:9 clarifies that the honor is meant to be unmistakably public and prestigious, involving both royal symbols and the city’s attention.
  • The verse shows the king’s authority and the seriousness of royal favor, as even the highest nobles must participate in honoring the chosen person.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the dramatic irony in the story: Haman, who suggests this honor for himself, is soon ordered to do all of this for his rival, Mordecai.

Where else these words appear

“noble” Hebrew H6579 · used in 3 verses

  • Esther 1:3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
  • Daniel 1:3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;

“honour” Hebrew H3366 · used in 15 verses

  • Esther 1:4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
  • Esther 6:7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
  • Psalms 49:20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

“apparel” Hebrew H3830 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
  • Job 24:10 They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry;
  • Psalms 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

“street” Hebrew H7339 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Esther 6:11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
  • Jeremiah 9:21 For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.