Haman

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Pronunciations

Haman (hah-MAHN) listen

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Definitions

  • n. The advisor of King Achashverosh of ancient Persia, the villain in the story of Purim who plotted to kill Persia's Jews.

Example Sentences

  • "The most important part about this holiday is that you have to be the loudest person to yell 'Booooo!' whenever Haman is mentioned." (source)

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Languages of Origin

  • Textual Hebrew

Etymology

  • הָמָן

      • Who Uses This

      • Religious: Jews who are engaged in religious observance and have some Jewish education

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, (Philadelphia, 2001).

Notes

  • "According to Megillat Esther, Haman hatched a plot to kill the Jews of Persia. But his plot was found out and stopped by Queen Esther. During Purim services, it is traditional to make noise—for example, by stomping one’s feet or twirling gragers—whenever Haman’s name is mentioned. Tradition says this is done so that his evil name is never heard again and because it is the Jews’ responsibility to 'make noise,' to speak up when they see evil." (JPS)

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