Esther 4 5

Esther 4:5 kjv

Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.

Esther 4:5 nkjv

Then Esther called Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend her, and she gave him a command concerning Mordecai, to learn what and why this was.

Esther 4:5 niv

Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king's eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

Esther 4:5 esv

Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was.

Esther 4:5 nlt

Then Esther sent for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs who had been appointed as her attendant. She ordered him to go to Mordecai and find out what was troubling him and why he was in mourning.

Esther 4 verses

Esther 4 5 Meaning

This verse details Esther's immediate, albeit indirect, action upon hearing of Mordecai's deep distress. Unable to understand the gravity of his sorrow from within the palace, she strategically sends Hatach, a trusted eunuch assigned to her by the king, to inquire directly from Mordecai the exact nature and reason for his alarming behavior. It marks Esther's crucial step from passive concern to active investigation, initiating the process by which she learns of the plot to annihilate her people.

Esther 4 5 Context

Esther 4:5 takes place immediately after Queen Esther hears distressing news of Mordecai's unusual and public mourning – clothed in sackcloth and ashes outside the palace gates, a traditional sign of deep sorrow and lamentation. Prior to this verse, Esther's initial response was to send clothes to Mordecai, hoping to alleviate his apparent distress without understanding its source. However, Mordecai refused her garments, indicating that his grief was not merely superficial or easily comforted. This refusal compels Esther to seek deeper understanding. The wider context of Esther chapter 4 is the unfolding of Haman's decree to annihilate all Jews in the Persian Empire, a decree that has reached the capital city, Susa, and has deeply affected Mordecai, a key figure in the Jewish community. The verse highlights Esther's initial isolation from the gravity of the external threat and her pivotal step towards engagement.

Esther 4 5 Word analysis

• Then Esther: Signals a crucial shift in the narrative. "Then" (wa- in Hebrew) connects Esther's action directly to Mordecai's unyielding sorrow, indicating a response to his refusal of the clothing.
• called for: Hebrew: wattiqra (וַתִּקְרָא). Implies issuing a command or summons, demonstrating Esther's royal authority even in distress. This is not a polite request but a directive from the queen.
• Hatach: Hebrew: Hătak (הֲתָךְ). A unique name in the biblical narrative, likely of Persian origin, possibly meaning "truth" or "he gives" (as in, "he grants" or "he makes"). His very presence and role here emphasize a trusted messenger appointed for delicate matters.
• one of the king's eunuchs: Hebrew: missarise haMelech (מִסָּרִיסֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ). Eunuchs (sarisim) in ancient Near Eastern courts were castrated men often holding significant and highly trusted positions of authority and responsibility within the royal household, administration, and even the military. Their loyalty was usually unquestioned as they had no family loyalties that might compete with their devotion to the king. Hatach's position as a king's eunuch designated for Esther confirms his reliability and privileged access within the court, making him an ideal intermediary.
• whom he had appointed to attend her: Hebrew: asher he'emid lefaneha (אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱמִיד לְפָנֶיהָ). Literally "whom he had set before her" or "whom he caused to stand before her." This highlights Hatach's specific and official royal appointment to Esther's service, signifying the king's implicit trust in him and providing Esther with a legitimate and accessible channel for communication.
• and ordered him: Hebrew: wattetṣawwehu (וַתְּצַוֵּהוּ). Strong verb, "and she commanded him" or "charged him." Reinforces the authoritative nature of Esther's request. She's not just asking for a favor but issuing an imperative as a queen.
• to find out: Hebrew: lada'at (לָדַעַת). "To know," "to understand," "to ascertain." This emphasizes the purpose of the mission: not merely to observe but to acquire full, accurate knowledge and comprehension of the situation.
• what this meant: Hebrew: ma zeh (מַה זֶּה). "What is this?" This is an inquiry into the nature or substance of the distress. What specific event or cause has led to such public mourning?
• and why this was happening: Hebrew: w'al mah zeh (וְעַל מַה זֶּה). "And concerning what is this?" or "And about what is this thing?" This probes the underlying reasons, the purpose, or the decree behind the overt display of mourning. Esther seeks both the immediate issue and its root cause.

Words-group analysis

• Then Esther called for Hatach, one of the king's eunuchs: This phrase marks Esther's initial foray into proactive leadership. She is not reacting randomly but carefully chooses a suitable, officially appointed agent to gather crucial intelligence. This choice highlights her wisdom and strategic thinking within the confines of her royal isolation.
• whom he had appointed to attend her: This clause underscores Hatach's trustworthiness and his direct, sanctioned link to Esther, sanctioned by the king himself. This established connection is vital for the covert and sensitive nature of the information flow about to unfold.
• and ordered him to find out what this meant and why this was happening: This shows the precise nature of Esther's inquiry. She needs concrete details – not just an emotional description of Mordecai’s state, but the exact ‘what’ (the specific event) and the ‘why’ (the underlying cause or decree) of his extraordinary grief. It reveals her systematic approach to a perplexing situation.

Esther 4 5 Bonus section

• Role of Providence: The seemingly mundane action of sending a eunuch to inquire plays a pivotal role in the larger narrative of divine providence. God, though unmentioned, is orchestrating these seemingly ordinary human interactions to set His ultimate plan for Israel's deliverance in motion.
• Feminine Agency: This verse quietly yet powerfully illustrates Esther's agency within the patriarchal structure of the Persian court. While her movement is restricted, she uses her intelligence and resources (a trusted eunuch) to initiate contact and gather vital information, thereby shaping events from behind the scenes.
• Communication Chain: This verse sets up a vital communication chain: Mordecai (knowing the truth) -> Hatach (the messenger) -> Esther (the one who needs to act). Without this precise chain of communication, the Jewish people would have remained unaware and likely been destroyed.

Esther 4 5 Commentary

Esther 4:5 marks the critical shift in Esther's role from a passive resident of the royal palace to an active agent in her people's deliverance. Her initial attempt to alleviate Mordecai's sorrow with garments failed, forcing her to recognize the profound and unusual nature of his distress. Instead of giving up, Esther immediately uses the resources at her disposal, namely Hatach, a king's eunuch specifically appointed to her. This choice of messenger is insightful; eunuchs often held positions of great trust and influence in ancient courts, acting as reliable conduits of information in environments where direct communication might be restricted or dangerous. Esther's dual inquiry, asking "what this meant" and "why this was happening," indicates a desire for a full understanding – not just the visible signs of sorrow but its deep-seated cause. This demonstrates her growing sense of responsibility and nascent leadership, paving the way for the dramatic confrontation to come. Her action is born out of concern, but rapidly evolves into a determined pursuit of the truth, which is a necessary precursor to decisive action. This is the first step where Esther begins to fully engage with the crisis facing her people, signaling her transition from royal obscurity to providential purpose.