Haman (Judaism) - Definition

Haman is the villain in the Book of Esther. He is described as an Agagite, indicating his descent from Amalek. The name is of Persian origin, and means "magnificent".

In the story, Haman and his wife Zeresh instigate a plot to kill all the Jews of ancient Persia. Haman attempts to convince Xerxes I (in Greek; Persian: Khshayarsha; Hebrew: Ahasuerus) to order the killing of Mordechai and all the Jews of the lands he ruled. The plot is foiled by Queen Esther, the king's recent wife, who is herself a Jew. Haman and his 10 sons are hung from the gallows that had originally been built to hang Mordechai.

In Jewish tradition, Haman is considered an archetype of evil and persecutor of the Jews. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the story of the deliverance of the Jews and the defeat of Haman. On that day, the Book of Esther is read publicly and much noise and tumult is raised at every mention of his name. A special noisemaker called a Grogger is used to express disdain for Haman. Pastry known as Hamantaschen are traditionally eaten on this day. To "hang higher than Haman" is a phrase that has come to mean someone who has committed an act so egregious as to be destined for a very terrible punishment.

Haman is also mentioned by Josephus in his Antiquities of the Jews. Josephus' account of the story is drawn from the Septuagint translation of the Book of Esther and from other Greek and Jewish sources, some no longer extant.