Esther 4 7

Esther 4:7 kjv

And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.

Esther 4:7 nkjv

And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries to destroy the Jews.

Esther 4:7 niv

Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.

Esther 4:7 esv

and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries for the destruction of the Jews.

Esther 4:7 nlt

Mordecai told him the whole story, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.

Esther 4 verses

Esther 4 7 Meaning

Esther 4:7 details the crucial communication exchange initiated by Esther, delivered by Hatach, to Mordecai. Esther relayed through her eunuch Hatach the specific content of Haman's decree issued in Susa, which commanded the destruction of the Jewish people. Her instructions included providing Mordecai with a copy of the decree for his full understanding, explaining its implications, and strongly charging him to approach King Ahasuerus. The purpose of Mordecai's perilous visit to the king was to plead for mercy and formally petition for the salvation of their people. This verse marks a pivotal moment, shifting the burden of direct action and grave responsibility onto Mordecai, while setting the stage for Esther's own eventual intercession.

Esther 4 7 Context

Esther chapter 4 is the turning point of the book. Prior to this, Mordecai mourned publicly after learning of Haman's decree to annihilate all Jews (Esther 4:1-3). When Esther heard of Mordecai's distress, she initially sent clothes, not fully grasping the gravity of the situation (Esther 4:4). This verse (4:7) details Mordecai's powerful and specific communication back to Esther through Hatach, which elevates the urgency and fully reveals the existential threat facing her and her people. He explains Haman's wicked plot, provides definitive proof (the copy of the decree), and directly charges Esther, the queen, to intervene on their behalf. The wider historical context includes the Persian Empire under Xerxes I (Ahasuerus), where the king's decrees were unchangeable and absolute, making the threat terrifyingly real. Royal protocols were strict, and unauthorized access to the king was punishable by death, underscoring the extreme danger of Esther's future actions.

Esther 4 7 Word analysis

• And Hatach told him:

  • Hatach (הֲתָךְ - Hathach): A trustworthy eunuch (royal attendant/officer) assigned to Esther by the king. His role is critical as the sole reliable link between Esther in the harem and Mordecai outside the palace walls, demonstrating God's hidden hand providing key resources. Eunuchs were often highly placed and served as vital messengers and confidants in ancient courts.
  • told him: Signifies a formal report or relay of information, not just a casual conversation.

• the words of Esther:

  • words (דִּבְרֵי - divrey): Refers to the specific message, instructions, and possibly Esther's initial fears or questions that Hatach had conveyed to her. This confirms the bilateral communication facilitated by Hatach.

• and what she had enjoined him to say:

  • enjoined (צִוְּתָהוּ - tsivvathahu): A strong term meaning "commanded" or "charged." It indicates that Esther wasn't just expressing a wish, but giving Hatach explicit, authoritative instructions on how to respond to Mordecai's distress and what details to convey. This foreshadows her developing courage.

• concerning the decree:

  • decree (דָּת - dath): The Persian legal edict. In the Achaemenid Empire, royal decrees, once issued and sealed, were unchangeable and universal within the empire's jurisdiction (Esth 1:19, Dan 6:8). This highlights the binding and fatal nature of the threat.

• that was given in Susa:

  • given (נִתְּנָה - nitt'nah): Emphasizes the official issuance and validity of the decree.
  • Susa (שׁוּשַׁן - Shushan): The capital city and the specific royal complex where the decree was promulgated. Its mention underscores the authoritative source and widespread reach of the edict, from the seat of imperial power.

• to destroy them:

  • destroy (לְהַשְׁמִידָם - lehashmidam): A stark and violent term meaning "to annihilate," "utterly ruin," or "put to an end." This highlights the genocidal intent of Haman's decree against the Jews.

• to give him a copy thereof:

  • copy (פִּתְגֶּן - pitgen): An Aramaic loanword, reflecting the use of Aramaic as a common administrative language in the Persian Empire. This signifies the need for concrete evidence. Mordecai needed a tangible document, not just a verbal report, to fully grasp the decree's exact wording and implications, which would be crucial for planning his response.

• to show it unto Mordecai:

  • show (לְהַרְאוֹת - lehar'ot): Imperative for transparency and clarity. Mordecai must see the written decree for himself.

• and to instruct him thereof:

  • instruct (וּלְהוֹדִיעוֹ - u'l'hodio): To cause to know, make aware, or teach. Beyond just showing the decree, Hatach was to provide further clarification or context from Esther regarding its significance and the details she knew.

• and to charge him:

  • charge (וּלְצַוֹּתוֹ - u'l'tzavoto): Another strong imperative, mirroring "enjoined" earlier. This indicates a direct command or urgent mandate. Esther is no longer merely seeking information but issuing a directive to Mordecai.

• to go in unto the king:

  • go in (לָבוֹא - lavo): Refers to approaching the inner presence of the king, specifically entering the throne room. This action was highly dangerous, as explained in the subsequent verse (4:11), due to strict royal protocol.

• to make supplication unto him:

  • supplication (לְהִתְחַנֵּן - l'hitkhanen): To plead for grace, to implore favor. This signifies a humble and earnest request, indicating a desperate plea for divine (through the king) intervention.

• and to make request before him:

  • make request (וּלְבַקֵּשׁ - u'l'vakkesh): To seek, demand, or formally petition. This complements "supplication" and suggests a structured, official appeal.

• for her people:

  • her people (עַל־עַמָּהּ - al-'ammah): This is the ultimate motivation and object of the entire desperate appeal. It underscores Esther's deep sense of ethnic and communal identity, transitioning from a private life to acting for the fate of her entire people, highlighting a theme of collective responsibility.

Esther 4 7 Bonus section

• The Power of Documentation: The specific instruction to provide "a copy" (פִּתְגֶּן - pitgen) highlights the crucial role of written documents and official decrees in ancient Persia. It signifies that even a verbal message was insufficient; tangible evidence was necessary to impress the urgency and validity of the threat. This detail demonstrates a practical aspect of communication and legal process in that era.
• The Gradual Revelation of Purpose: The verse reveals a progression: Mordecai sent Esther a message, then Esther sent a specific reply with a clear "charge." Initially, Esther's concern was about Mordecai's outward grief (Esther 4:4), but now she is fully briefed on the specific threat and begins to comprehend her unique position to intervene, even if fearful.
• A Pivot Towards Divine Providence (Implicit): While God is not explicitly mentioned in the Book of Esther, the careful, timely delivery of information through Hatach, the provision of a decree copy, and the precise instruction to approach the king—despite the mortal danger—all subtly point to an underlying providential hand guiding events to preserve His people.

Esther 4 7 Commentary

Esther 4:7 serves as the conduit of vital information and directive, transitioning the crisis from general despair to concrete action. Hatach, the reliable intermediary, not only conveys Mordecai’s words to Esther but now delivers Esther’s commanded response back to Mordecai. This passage underscores the gravity of Haman’s edict, emphasized by the direct provision of the "copy" of the decree—evidence essential for Mordecai to comprehend the full scope of the genocidal threat. The multiple imperatives ("enjoined him to say," "to give," "to show," "to instruct," "to charge him") reveal Esther's growing awareness and nascent leadership, compelling Mordecai to undertake the risky but necessary step of approaching the king. Crucially, the verse ends by stating the purpose: to make "supplication" and "request... for her people." This is not merely an individual's plea, but an appeal on behalf of the entire Jewish nation, setting the stage for the dramatic display of divine providence working through courageous human agents. It shifts the burden from Mordecai's outward mourning to the desperate need for royal intervention, hinting at the coming moment of Esther's own intercession and defining the true cost of their inaction.