John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him , etc.] Putting him in mind of his duty to obey the king’s command, suggesting to him the danger he exposed himself to, pressing him to give the reasons of his conduct: and he hearkened not unto them ; regarded not what they said, and continued disobedient to the king’s order, and disrespectful to Haman that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand ; they informed Haman that Mordecai refused to give him reverence as the king had ordered; this they did to try whether such a conduct would be suffered and bore with, and whether Mordecai would persevere in it when taken notice of: for he had told them that he was a Jew ; which was all the reason he gave why he would not reverence Haman; and a reason sufficient, because, by a fundamental law of his religion, he was not to worship mere man, but God only: and this confirms what has been before observed; for this would have been no reason for refusing civil respect and honour, but was a strong one for denying religious worship and reverence; and no wonder that the Jews should refuse it, when even the Grecians, though Heathens, refused to give the Persian kings the divine honours they required f110 ; yea, the Athenians put Timagoras to death for prostrating himself in such a manner to Darius f111 ; for the Persian kings were, as Aristotle says f112 , called Lord and God, and said to hear and see all things.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - Mordecai refused to reverence Haman. The religion of a Jew forbade his to give honours to any mortal man which savoured of idolatry especially to so wicked a man as Haman. By nature all are idolaters self is our favourite idol, we are pleased to be treated as if ever thing were at our disposal. Though religion by no means destroys goo manners, but teaches us to render honour to whom honour is due, yet be a citizen of Zion, not only in his heart, but in his eyes, such a vil person as Haman was, is contemned, Ps 15:4. The true believer cannot obey edicts, or conform to fashions, which break the law of God. He must obey God rather than man, and leave the consequences to him. Hama was full of wrath. His device was inspired by that wicked spirit, wh has been a murderer from the beginning; whose enmity to Christ and his church, governs all his children.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 באמרם559 אליו413 יום3117 ויום3117 ולא3808 שׁמע8085 אליהם413 ויגידו5046 להמן2001 לראות7200 היעמדו5975 דברי1697 מרדכי4782 כי3588 הגיד5046 להם1992 אשׁר834 הוא1931 יהודי׃3064
