Harbona was one of the seven eunuchs (court officials) who served King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) in Persia. He is best known for his crucial intervention during Haman's downfall, when he drew the king's attention to the gallows Haman had built to hang Mordecai. His single remark changed the course of events and contributed to Haman being hanged on his own gallows.
Schlüsselereignisse
One of the king's seven eunuchs
Harbona is mentioned as one of the seven court officials who served directly under King Ahasuerus and had access to the king's presence.
10On the seventh day, when the king's heart was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas—the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus—
10On the seventh day, when the king's heart was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas—the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus—
11to bring Queen Vashti before him wearing her royal crown, so that he might display her beauty to the peoples and the officials; for she was lovely to look at.
At the decisive moment when the king's anger was directed at Haman, Harbona informed the king that Haman had built a gallows fifty cubits high to hang Mordecai, who had saved the king's life.
9Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, "Look, the gallows Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke up for the king's good, is standing at Haman's house, fifty cubits high."[fn] The king said, "Hang him on it."
Harbona's suggestion about the gallows led the king to order that Haman himself be hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. This was a turning point in the story of the book of Esther.
9Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, "Look, the gallows Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke up for the king's good, is standing at Haman's house, fifty cubits high."[fn] The king said, "Hang him on it."
Harbona served as an instrument of God's providence. His seemingly simple remark about the gallows was part of the divine plan to save the Jewish people from Haman's extermination plot.
9Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, "Look, the gallows Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke up for the king's good, is standing at Haman's house, fifty cubits high."[fn] The king said, "Hang him on it."
1That same day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told him how he was related to her.