Esther 3 4

Esther 3:4 kjv

Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

Esther 3:4 nkjv

Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai's words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.

Esther 3:4 niv

Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.

Esther 3:4 esv

And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai's words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew.

Esther 3:4 nlt

They spoke to him day after day, but still he refused to comply with the order. So they spoke to Haman about this to see if he would tolerate Mordecai's conduct, since Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.

Esther 3 verses

Esther 3 4 Meaning

Esther 3:4 describes the escalating conflict initiated by Mordecai's steadfast refusal to bow to Haman. After repeated daily pleas and instructions from the king's servants went unheeded by Mordecai, they decided to report his reason—his declaration of being a Jew—to Haman himself. This action serves as a test, challenging whether Mordecai's unique identity as a Jew would justify his open defiance of the royal decree. The verse underscores Mordecai's unwavering conviction rooted in his heritage, setting the stage for Haman's genocidal plot.

Esther 3 4 Context

Esther chapter 3 introduces Haman, an Agagite, who rises to prominence as the chief minister under King Ahasuerus. The king issues a decree that all his servants and guards at the king's gate must bow down and pay homage to Haman whenever he passes by. Mordecai, however, consistently refuses to do so, a defiance noticed by the king's servants. This verse (Esther 3:4) marks the point where their initial inquiries into Mordecai's refusal evolve into an official report to Haman, specifically stating Mordecai's reason: "he was a Jew." Historically, bowing was a common form of respect in Persian courts, often involving prostration. However, Mordecai's refusal, given his explicit statement of being a Jew, implies a conscientious objection rooted in his unique covenant identity, possibly stemming from an unwillingness to render divine honors to a human, especially one with Agagite ancestry (a long-standing enemy of Israel), or to acknowledge a worldly authority over his loyalty to God. This escalating situation transforms a simple act of defiance into a foundational catalyst for the narrative's central conflict—the attempted annihilation of the Jewish people.

Esther 3 4 Word analysis

• Now it came about: Hebrew: Wa-yehi (ויהי). This phrase frequently marks a transition or the start of a significant new event in biblical narratives. It highlights the unfolding drama.
• when they spoke daily to him: Hebrew: Ke-dabberam elav yom va-yom (כדברם אליו יום ויום).
  • dabberam: From dibber (דבר), "to speak, to command, to persuade." The nuance here suggests persistent entreaty or reasoning.
  • yom va-yom: "day by day," "daily." Emphasizes the prolonged, ongoing nature of their attempts to persuade Mordecai, highlighting his consistent refusal over a period. This shows the severity and determination of his stance.
• and he would not listen to them: Hebrew: ve-lo' sham'a aleihem (ולא שמע אליהם).
  • sham'a (שמע): "to hear, to listen, to obey." Here, it signifies a resolute refusal to comply or yield. Mordecai's ears were open to their words, but his will was closed to their instruction, implying a deep conviction.
• that they told Haman: Hebrew: vayaggidu le-Haman (ויגידו להמן).
  • naggid (נגד): "to tell, to declare, to report." This indicates a deliberate disclosure of information to a higher authority, escalating the matter from internal workplace issue to a formal grievance addressed to the very person being defied. This reporting suggests the king's servants did not know how else to deal with such stubbornness.
• to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand: Hebrew: lir'ot ha-ya'amod divrei Mordekhai (לראות הֲיעֲמד דברי מרדכי).
  • lir'ot: "to see," often implying "to examine," "to ascertain," "to test."
  • ya'amod (עמד): "to stand," "to endure," "to be established," "to hold firm." In this context, it means "to be validated," "to prove true," or "to be justified." The servants were unsure if Mordecai’s stated reason was a legitimate excuse for his non-compliance in the eyes of Haman and the Persian legal system, or if it would be overridden. They are testing the boundary of this 'Jewish identity' claim.
  • divrei Mordekhai: "Mordecai's words," specifically referring to his explanation or assertion for his behavior.
• for he had told them that he was a Jew: Hebrew: ki hegid lahem ki Yehudi hu' (כי הגיד להם כי יהודי הוא).
  • hegid: From nagad (נגד), "to declare, to state explicitly." This means Mordecai openly, possibly repeatedly, proclaimed his ethnic and religious identity as the basis for his action.
  • Yehudi (יהודי): "Jew," literally "of Judah," but by this period (Persian exile/post-exile), it denoted the descendants of Jacob through Judah, implying membership in God's covenant people. This identity, intrinsically tied to distinct laws and practices (like the First Commandment against worshipping other gods or graven images, Ex 20:3-5), was understood by Mordecai to preclude full prostration to Haman, who may have received homage usually reserved for divinities or been considered an enemy (an Agagite, descendent of Amalek). Mordecai's Jewishness was not merely an ethnic descriptor but a fundamental spiritual and legal commitment influencing his public actions.

Esther 3 4 Bonus section

• Mordecai's refusal to bow could be interpreted as more than simple disrespect. Given Haman's probable Amalekite lineage (Agagite, Esth 3:1), and God's eternal war against Amalek (Ex 17:16), Mordecai, as a devout Jew, might have considered any obeisance to Haman as a profound act of disloyalty to the covenant and an insult to God. This deeper spiritual and historical context would solidify his defiance beyond a mere personal slight.
• The persistence of the king's servants ("spoke daily to him") suggests either a genuine effort to help Mordecai avoid punishment or a growing annoyance and suspicion towards his extraordinary insubordination, ultimately leading them to expose him to Haman's fury. Their words, "see whether Mordecai's words would stand," imply a legal or official challenge to his claim, rather than a mere personal complaint.
• This verse subtly highlights the vulnerability of the Jewish people in the diaspora. Their distinct identity, even when simply stated, could be used against them to challenge their standing within a larger empire. It foregrounds the tension between maintaining religious identity and conforming to imperial dictates.

Esther 3 4 Commentary

Esther 3:4 is a pivotal verse, detailing the friction that sparks the main conflict of the book. Mordecai's deliberate and sustained refusal to bow to Haman is presented not as a random act of insolence, but as a deeply held conviction rooted in his identity as a "Jew." The king's servants, unable to sway Mordecai over a significant period, finally relay his unique justification to Haman. Their decision to "see whether Mordecai's words would stand" suggests an element of curiosity or a procedural formality; they wish to understand the weight of a 'Jewish' identity in the context of royal decree. Mordecai's steadfastness here highlights a tension between human law and divine loyalty, implicitly upholding God's supremacy over earthly rulers when their commands conflict with divine principles. His unwavering commitment to his heritage and implied faith, in direct contrast to others' compliance, provokes the wrath of Haman, setting in motion the providential unfolding of God's plan for His people. It underscores that one's God-given identity can sometimes necessitate a stand against prevailing societal norms or authoritative decrees.