The King Honors Mardochaeus
Esther 6
Unable to sleep, the king has the court records read to him and learns that Mardochaeus was never rewarded for exposing the earlier conspiracy against his life. When Aman arrives intending to ask for Mardochaeus's death, the king instead commands Aman to lead Mardochaeus through the city in royal honor, and Aman's household warns him that he cannot prevail against a Jew.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonNOW on that night the Lord removed sleep from the king, therefore he ordered his attendant to bring the book of daily records, and read to him;
BrentonBut the Lord removed sleep from the king that night: and he told his servant to bring in the books, the registers of daily events, to read to him.
GreekὉ δε Κύριος ἀπέστησε τὸν ὕπνον ἀπὸ τοὺ βασιλέως τὴν νύκτα ἐκείνην· καὶ εἶπε τῷ διακόνῳ αὐτοῦ εἰσφέρειν γράμματα μνημόσυνα τῶν ἡμερῶν ἀναγινώσκειν αὐτῷ.
KJVOn that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
JPSOn that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
2
Thomsonand finding what was written concerning Mordecai, how he had informed the king of the king’s two chamberlains, when they commanded the guard, and sought to lay hands on Artaxerxes,
BrentonAnd he found the records written concerning Mardochæus, how he had told the king concerning the two chamberlains of the king, when they were keeping guard, and sought to lay hands on Artaxerxes.
GreekΕὗρε δὲ τὰ γράμματα τὰ γραφέντα περὶ Μαρδοχαίου, ὡς ἀπήγγειλεν τῷ βασιλεῖ περὶ τῶν δύο εὐνούχων τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν τῷ φυλάσσειν αὐτοὺς, καὶ ζητῆσαι ἐπιβαλεῖν τὰς χεῖρας Ἀρταξέρξῃ.
KJVAnd it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
JPSAnd it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, of those that kept the door, who had sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.
3
Thomsonthe king said, What honour or favour did we confer on Mordecai? To which the king’s servants replied, Thou hast conferred none.
BrentonAnd the king said, What honour or favour have we done to Mardochæus? And the king's servants said, Thou hast not done anything to him.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς, τίνα δόξαν ἢ χάριν ἐποιήσαμεν τῷ Μαρδοχαίῳ; καὶ εἶπαν οἱ διάκονοι τοῦ βασιλέως, οὐκ ἐποίησας αὐτῷ οὐδέν.
KJVAnd the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
JPSAnd the king said: ‘What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?’ Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him: ‘There is nothing done for him.’
4
ThomsonAnd while the king was making inquiry concerning Mordecai’s fidelity, behold Haman was in the court. And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman had come to speak to the king, that he might order Mordecai to be hanged on the gallows which he had prepared.
BrentonAnd while the king was enquiring about the kindness of Mardochæus, behold, Aman was in the court. And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Aman was come in to speak to the king, that he should hang Mardochæus on the gallows, which he had prepared.
GreekἘν δὲ τῷ πυνθάνεσθαι τὸν βασιλέα περὶ τῆς εὐνοίας Μαρδοχαίου, ἰδοὺ Ἀμὰν ἐν τῇ αὐλῇ· εἶπν δὲ ὁ βασιλεύς, τίς ἐν τῇ αὐλῇ; ὁ δὲ Ἀμὰν εἰσῆλθεν εἰπεῖν τῷ βασιλεῖ, κρεμάσαι τὸν Μαρδοχαῖον ἐπὶ τῷ ξύλῳ, ᾧ ἡτοίμασε.
KJVAnd the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
JPSAnd the king said: ‘Who is in the court?’—Now Haman was come into the outer court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.—
5
ThomsonSo the king’s servants said, Behold Haman is standing in the court, and the king said, Call him in.
BrentonAnd the king's servants said, Behold, Aman stands in the court. And the king said, Call him.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ διάκονοι τοῦ βασιλέως, ἰδοὺ Ἀμὰν ἕστηκεν ἐν τῇ αὐλῇ· καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς, καλέσατε αὐτόν.
KJVAnd the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
JPSAnd the king’s servants said unto him: ‘Behold, Haman standeth in the court.’ And the king said: ‘Let him come in.’
6
ThomsonAnd the king said to Haman, What shall I do to the man whom I wish to honour? Upon this Haman said to himself, Whom doth the king wish to honour but me?
BrentonAnd the king said to Aman, What shall I do to the man whom I wish to honour? And Aman said within himself, Whom would the king honour but myself?
GreekΕἶπε δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Ἀμὰν, τί ποιήσω τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ, ὃν ἐγὼ θέλω δοξάσαι; εἶπε δὲ ἐν ἑαυτῷ Ἀμάν, τίνα θέλει ὁ βασιλεὺς δοξάσαι εἰ μὴ ἐμέ;
KJVSo Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
JPSSo Haman came in. And the king said unto him: ‘What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?’—Now Haman said in his heart: ‘Whom would the king delight to honour besides myself?’—
7
ThomsonSo he said to the king, With regard to the man whom the king wisheth to honour,
Brentonand he said to the king, As for the man whom the king wishes to honour,
GreekΕἶπε δὲ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, ἄνθρωπον ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς θέλει δοξάσαι,
KJVAnd Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
JPSAnd Haman said unto the king: ‘For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
8
ThomsonLet the king’s servants bring out the royal robes with which the king is arrayed, and the horse on which the king rideth, and give them to one of the most honourable of the king’s friends,
Brentonlet the king's servants bring the robe of fine linen which the king puts on, and the horse on which the king rides,
Greekἐνεγκάτωσαν οἱ παῖδες τοῦ βασιλέως στολὴν βυσσίνην ἣν ὁ βασιλεὺς περιβάλλεται, καὶ ἵππον ἐφʼ ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπιβαίνει,
KJVLet the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
JPSlet royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and on whose head a crown royal is set;
9
Thomsonand let him array the man whom the king loveth, and mount him on the horse, and make proclamation through the street of the city saying, Thus shall it be done to every man whom the king honoureth.
Brentonand let him give it to one of the king's noble friends, and let him array the man whom the king loves; and let him mount him on the horse, and proclaim through the street of the city, saying, Thus shall it be done to every man whom the king honours.
Greekκαὶ δότω ἑνὶ τῶν φίλων τοῦ βασιλέως τῶν ἐνδόξων, καὶ στολισάτω τὸν ἄνθρωπον, ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἀγαπᾷ· καὶ ἀναβιβασάτω αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὸν ἵππον, καὶ κηρυσσέτω διὰ τῆς πλατείας τῆς πόλεως, λέγων, οὕτως ἔσται παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς δοξάζει.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSand let the apparel and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man therewith whom the king delighteth to honour, and cause him to ride 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.’
10
ThomsonThen the king said to Haman, Thou hast spoken well, Do thou so to Mordecai the Jew, who is an attendant in the court. Let nothing be omitted of what thou hast spoken.
BrentonThen the king said to Aman, Thou hast well said: so do to Mardochæus the Jew, who waits in the palace, and let not a word of what thou hast spoken be neglected.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Ἀμὰν, καλῶς ἐλάλησας· οὕτως ποίησον τῷ Μαρδοχαίῳ τῷ Ἰουδαίῳ, τῷ θεραπεύοντι ἐν τῇ αὐλῇ, καὶ μὴ παραπεσάτω σου λόγος ὧν ἐλάλησας.
KJVThen the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
JPSThen the king said to Haman: ‘Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate; let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.’
11
ThomsonSo Haman took the robe and the horse, and having arrayed Mordecai he mounted him on the horse, and went through the street of the city and made proclamation saying, Thus shall it be done to every man whom the king wisheth to honour.
BrentonSo Aman took the robe and the horse, and arrayed Mardochæus, 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.
GreekἜλαβε δὲ Ἀμὰν τὴν στολὴν καὶ τὸν ἵππον, καὶ ἐστόλισε τὸν Μαρδοχαῖον, καὶ ἀνεβίβασεν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὸν ἵππον, καὶ διῆλθε διὰ τῆς πλατείας τῆς πόλεως, καὶ ἐκήρυσσε λέγων, οὕτως ἔσται παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς θέλει δοξάσαι.
KJVThen 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.
JPSThen took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and caused him to ride through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him: ‘Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.’
12
ThomsonThen Mordecai returned to the court, and Haman went home in grief with his head covered.
BrentonAnd Mardochæus returned to the palace: but Aman went home mourning, and having his head covered.
GreekἘπέστρεψε δὲ ὁ Μαρδοχαῖος εἰς τὴν αὐλήν· Ἁμὰν δὲ ὑπέστρεψεν εἰς τὰ ἴδια λυπούμενος κατὰ κεφαλῆς.
KJVAnd Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
JPSAnd Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house, mourning and having his head covered.
13
ThomsonAnd when Haman told his wife and his friends all that had happened to him; his friends and his wife said, If Mordecai be of the race of the Jews thy humiliation before him is begun. Thou shalt continue falling and shalt not be able to have thy revenge of him; for with him is the living God.
BrentonAnd Aman related the events that had befallen him to Zosara his wife, and to his friends: and his friends and his wife said to him, If Mardochæus be of the race of the Jews, and 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 is with him.
GreekΚαὶ διηγήσατο Ἀμὰν τὰ συμβεβηκότα αὐτῷ Ζωσάρᾳ τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ τοῖς φίλοις· καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ φίλοι, καὶ ἡ γυνή εἰ ἐκ γένους Ἰουδαίων Μαρδοχαῖος, ἦρξαι ταπεινοῦσθαι ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, πεσὼν πεσῇ· καὶ οὐ μὴ δύνῃ αὐτὸν ἀμύνασθαι, ὅτι Θεὸς ζῶν μετʼ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
JPSAnd Haman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him: ‘If Mordecai, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.’
14
ThomsonAnd while they were speaking the chamberlains came to hasten Haman to the banquet which Esther had prepared.
BrentonWhile they were yet speaking, the chamberlains arrived, to hasten Aman to the banquet which Esther had prepared.
GreekἜτι αὐτῶν λαλούντων, παραγίνονται οἱ εὐνοῦχοι, ἐπισπεύδοντες τὸν Ἀμὰν ἐπὶ τὸν πότον ὃν ἡτοίμασεν Ἐσθήρ.
KJVAnd while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
JPSWhile they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hastened to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.