Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
, the prime minister) of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Esther 3:1, etc.). He is called an “Agagite,” which seems to denote that he was descended from the royal family of the Amalekites, the bitterest enemies of the Jews, as Agag was one of the titles of the Amalekite kings. He or his parents were brought to Persia as captives taken in war. He was hanged on the gallows which he had erected for Mordecai the Jew (Esther 7:10).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(magnificent), the chief minister or vizier of King Ahasuerus. ) After the failure of his attempt to cut off all the Jews in the Persian empire, he was hanged on the gallows which he had erected for Mordecai. The Targum and Josephus interpret the inscription of him—the Agagite—as signifying that he was of Amalekitish descent. The Jews hiss whenever his name is mentioned on the day of Purim.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
HA'MAN (celebrated), prime minister of Ahasuerus, the Persian monarch. Esth 3:1. His pride being hurt because Mordecai, the Jew, refused to bow and do him reverence, Esth 3:2, he secured a royal decree for the extermination of all Jews in the Persian dominions. He was, however, thwarted through the influence of Esther, and executed on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Esth 7:10. The Jews, on the mention of his name on the day of Purim, hiss. Like Sejanus in Roman history, his name will always suggest the contrast of power and disgrace.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
noise; tumult