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Harbona, Harbonah

The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia

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Morrish Bible Dictionary
• Harbona, Harbonah
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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
• Harbona; Harbonah
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• Harbona, Harbonah
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• חַרְבוֹנָא , חַרְבוֹנָה

One of the seven eunuchs who served Ahasuerus and to whom the order was given to bring Queen Vashti before the king (Esther 1:10). He suggested that Haman should be hanged on his own gallows (ib. 7:9). According to R. Eleazar (Meg. 16a), Harbona had first been in league with Haman, but, seeing that his plot had failed, abandoned him. It is further said (Esther R. ) that it was the prophet Elijah who appeared before Ahasuerus in the guise of Harbona, and that therefore Harbona should be remembered for good. A liturgical piece for Purim beginning "Shoshannat Ya'aḳob" ends with the words, "and let Harbona, too, be remembered for good."