Harbona חַרְבוֹנָא
A eunuch who exposed Haman's plot to hang Mordecai.
Who is Harbona in the Bible?
Harbona was a eunuch in the service of King Ahasuerus of Persia who played a crucial role in the downfall of Haman in the book of Esther. When Esther revealed Haman's plot to destroy the Jews during a royal banquet, the king became furious and left the room. At that pivotal moment, Harbona informed the king about the gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordecai, Esther's cousin, who had previously saved the king's life by exposing an assassination plot (Esther 7:9). This timely disclosure by Harbona sealed Haman's fate, as the king immediately ordered that Haman himself be hanged on the very gallows he had constructed for Mordecai. Though Harbona appears only briefly in Scripture, his willingness to speak truth at a critical moment demonstrates how God used even minor servants to accomplish justice and protect His people.
Biography
Harbona appears again in Est.7.9, this time playing a crucial role in the downfall of Haman, the villain in the book of Esther. Haman, the king's highest official, had plotted to destroy all the Jews in the Persian Empire due to his hatred for Mordecai, Esther's cousin and guardian. During a banquet that Esther had prepared for the king and Haman, Esther revealed Haman's evil plot and pleaded for the lives of her people. The king, furious with Haman, stepped out into the palace garden. At this moment, Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, spoke up and informed the king about the gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordecai, who had previously saved the king's life by exposing a plot against him. Harbona's timely intervention sealed Haman's fate, as the king ordered Haman to be hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai. This turn of events led to the deliverance of the Jews and the elevation of Mordecai to a high position in the Persian court. Harbona's actions demonstrate the significance of speaking truth to power and the role that seemingly minor characters can play in God's providential plan.
In Scripture
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- Esther 7:9
"Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said: “There is a gallows fifty cubits high at Haman’s house. He had it built for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king.” “Hang him on it!” declared the king."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | חַרְבוֹנָא |