Definition: And 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Esther 6:13. It’s a really dramatic and unsettling moment in the story. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Mordecai is in trouble: The story starts with Mordecai, a Jewish man, being accused of plotting against King Ahasuerus (a powerful ruler). Haman arrives and speaks: Haman, a powerful advisor to the king, arrives and tells Ahasuerus about this plot. He’s essentially saying he's trying to cause Mordecai harm. Haman makes a threatening prediction: Haman says that if Mordecai is a descendant of the Jewish people (specifically, his great-great-grandfather), then Ahasuerus will fail to stop him. He’ll be defeated by Mordecai. What does this verse mean? It's a very dark and manipulative statement from Haman. Here’s the core idea: Haman is trying to cause chaos: He’s using fear and intimidation to manipulate Ahasuerus. He wants to make sure that Mordecai doesn’t succeed in his plan, which would be devastating for Jewish people. "Befallen him" means "to happen to him": The word “befallen” is a bit of an awkward phrase – it suggests something happened to him, and he’s being deliberately targeted. “If Mordecai [be]…”: This is the key part. “Be” means “is.” So, "if Mordecai is …" This means that Haman's prediction only applies if Mordecai is a descendant of the Jewish people. The Warning: Haman’s warning is a grave threat . He’s telling Ahasuerus to think carefully – he needs to consider Mordecai’s lineage because it could lead to his downfall. In essence, this verse highlights the dangers of hatred and manipulation. It shows how someone can use fear to control others, even when they're not directly involved in a conflict. Important Note: This passage is incredibly important in Jewish tradition, as it's considered a crucial moment that explains why Mordecai was spared. --- Do you want me to explain any of these points in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Expand on the context of Esther’s story? Discuss the symbolism behind Haman's words?