haaman

Haman is a figure best known from the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Esther, where he is depicted as the principal antagonist in the Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus (commonly identified with Xerxes I). The text identifies him as an Agagite, and describes him as a high-ranking official in the king’s court with the authority to issue decrees.

According to the story, Haman becomes enraged when Mordecai, a Jewish royal官, refuses to bow to him. He persuades the king to issue a decree to annihilate all Jews throughout the empire on a single day, promising the king substantial plunder as a reward. The plan throws the Jewish community into peril and drives the plot toward a dramatic confrontation at the royal court.

The turning point comes when Queen Esther, who is Jewish, reveals her identity and pleads for her people. After a series of feasts and confrontations, the king orders Haman to be executed on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. A new decree allows the Jews to defend themselves, enabling their survival. The festival of Purim is established to celebrate this deliverance, and Mordecai rises to a position of influence in the empire.

Historically, Haman is considered a literary figure within the Esther narrative, and scholars debate whether he reflects a real historical individual. The story remains a foundational element in Jewish tradition and has influenced later literature, art, and discussions of antisemitism and persecution.