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H2001 · Hebrew · Old Testament
הָמָן
Haman
Proper noun (person)
Haman — antagonist of the Jewish people

Definition

Haman (הָמָן) is the name of the chief villain of the Book of Esther, a high official of the Persian King Ahasuerus who plotted the genocide of the Jewish people. His name may derive from a root meaning tumult/noise or may be of Persian/Elamite origin. He is identified as an Agagite — a descendant of Agag king of Amalek — placing him in the ancient lineage of Israel's archetypal enemy.

Usage & Theological Significance

Haman is one of Scripture's most vivid portraits of human pride meeting divine reversal. His rage against Mordecai and his genocidal plot against the Jews expose the depth of anti-Semitic hatred rooted in Amalek's ancient war against Israel (Exodus 17:16). Yet Esther is a book of hidden providence — God's name never appears, but His hand is unmistakable in every reversal.

The gallows Haman builds for Mordecai becomes his own instrument of death (Esther 7:10). This "hoist on his own petard" pattern is a theological signature of Scripture: the pit dug for the righteous is the pit the wicked fall into (Psalm 7:15). Haman's story is ultimately the story of God's covenant faithfulness to Israel — His enemies cannot finally prevail.

Key Bible Verses

Esther 3:1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles.
Esther 3:6 Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.
Esther 7:10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided.
Psalm 7:15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

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