The Church Fathers on this verse

Esther 7:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And when the king came back out of the garden set with trees, and entered into the place of the banquet, he found Aman was fallen upon the bed on which Esther lay, and he said: He will force the queen also in my presence, in my own house. The word was not yet gone out of the king's mouth, and immediately they covered his face.

Douay-Rheims

וְהַמֶּ֡לֶךְ שָׁב֩ מִגִּנַּ֨ת הַבִּיתָ֜ן אֶל־בֵּ֣ית ׀ מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֗יִן וְהָמָן֙ נֹפֵ֗ל עַל־הַמִּטָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֣ר עָלֶ֔יהָ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ הֲ֠גַם לִכְבּ֧וֹשׁ אֶת־הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה עִמִּ֖י בַּבָּ֑יִת הַדָּבָ֗ר יָצָא֙ מִפִּ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וּפְנֵ֥י הָמָ֖ן חָפֽוּ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Rabanus Maurus

9th centuryTeacher of the Church

Haman's entreaties to Queen Esther were interpreted by King Ahashverosh as deceit. In truth, as the time of judgment approaches, the cries of the unrighteous will transform from pleas into an irritation. Indeed, it is stated in the Psalm, “When he shall be tried, let him come out guilty, and let his prayer be in sin” (Psalm 108:7). The day will come when those who once oppressed the meek will face their own constraints, for the season of retribution will arrive. Condemned, they will bear the weight of their transgressions, as it is written, “Let my adversaries be covered with dishonour” (Psalm 108:7), as they descend into the shadows of the grave to receive the just recompense for their actions.

Jungerow P.A.

19th centuryCommentator

As Aman was taken for execution, the attendants veiled his face. This practice prior to execution is noted by Roman historians such as Curtius and Cicero.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.