Esther 4 8

Esther 4:8 kjv

Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.

Esther 4:8 nkjv

He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction, which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people.

Esther 4:8 niv

He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

Esther 4:8 esv

Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people.

Esther 4:8 nlt

Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree issued in Susa that called for the death of all Jews. He asked Hathach to show it to Esther and explain the situation to her. He also asked Hathach to direct her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people.

Esther 4 verses

Esther 4 8 Meaning

Esther 4:8 conveys Mordecai's urgent command to Hathach, an attendant of Queen Esther, regarding the impending genocidal decree against the Jewish people. Hathach is instructed to go to Esther, first to address her prior inquiry about Mordecai's mourning, and then to emphatically urge and implore her to appear before King Ahasuerus. The core demand is that Esther must courageously intercede with the king on behalf of her Jewish people and her immediate family, who are facing complete annihilation. The verse highlights the critical juncture where Esther is called to step into her providential role to avert catastrophe.

Esther 4 8 Context

Esther chapter 4 details the severe crisis faced by the Jewish people under the Persian Empire. Following Haman's wicked plot and the king's issuance of an edict for their annihilation (Esth 3:8-13), Mordecai expresses his grief publicly, wearing sackcloth and ashes. When Esther, insulated in the palace, learns of his distress (Esth 4:4), she sends Hathach to ascertain the reason. This verse (4:8) represents Mordecai's definitive response, outlining the horrifying decree and commanding Esther, through Hathach, to act. It establishes the critical nature of Esther's position as their only hope within the palace walls. The larger historical context highlights the absolute power of the Persian monarch and the rigid court protocol, where an unsummoned approach to the king could result in death (Esth 4:11), underscoring the immense danger Esther faces in fulfilling Mordecai's plea.

Esther 4 8 Word Analysis

• And he commanded: From the Hebrew root ṣāwāh (צָוָה), meaning to order, appoint, instruct. This indicates a direct, authoritative directive from Mordecai, given his paternal role to Esther and the gravity of the situation. It's not a mere suggestion but an imperative.
• him to go in to Esther: "Him" refers to Hathach, a trusted chamberlain who attends Esther (Esth 4:5). "Go in" (bo' בֹּא) signifies entering her private presence, implying direct communication. Hathach acts as a crucial, reliable messenger, bridging the gap between Mordecai outside the palace and Esther within.
• to ascertain her request: This phrase, specific to some English translations of Esth 4:8 (like ESV), refers to Esther's previous inquiry through Hathach regarding Mordecai's public mourning (Esth 4:4-5). Mordecai sends Hathach back to Esther, addressing her initial query with the grim details of Haman's decree, thereby providing the context for his subsequent urgent command to her.
• and to plead with her and to beg her: The Hebrew for 'plead' could be from biqqesh (בִּקֵּשׁ), "to seek" or "to entreat," and 'beg' potentially from ḥānan (חָנַן), "to show favor, entreat mercy." These strong, repeated verbs emphasize the fervent and desperate nature of Mordecai's appeal to Esther. He is not merely relaying information but exerting profound pressure and conviction on her to act decisively despite the immense risk.
• to plead with the king: This is the core instruction. The Hebrew here for "to plead" would be related to "to supplicate" or "to make request." It signifies making an urgent, often desperate, petition or entreaty for favor or intervention. Esther is being tasked with presenting a case directly to the highest authority, relying on his potential mercy.
• for her people: From the Hebrew ‘am (עַם), referring to the entire nation, the collective body of Jews throughout the empire. This highlights the widespread nature of the threat, encompassing all of Israel, not just local individuals. It emphasizes the communal identity and shared destiny.
• and for her kindred: From the Hebrew môledet (מוֹלֶדֶת), meaning "native country," "kindred," or "offspring." This personalizes the crisis, encompassing her immediate family and close associates, including Mordecai himself. It underscores that Esther's own survival is intricately tied to the deliverance of her people.

Esther 4 8 Bonus Section

• Role of Hathach: Hathach's character is subtly important. As a king's eunuch (chamberlain), he had a unique position of access and trust within the inner royal court. His repeated trips between Mordecai and Esther suggest reliability and discretion. While not Jewish himself, his willingness to facilitate this highly sensitive communication against Haman’s decree could imply either professional duty, a recognition of the severe injustice, or a degree of sympathy that allowed for such a dangerous covert operation. He enabled the pivotal shift from Mordecai’s anguish to Esther’s heroic resolve.
• The Unnamed Providence: Consistent with the Book of Esther’s unique literary style, God is never explicitly mentioned in this verse or anywhere in the text. However, Mordecai's forceful call to action, compelling Esther to step into a life-threatening role for her "people" and "kindred," is deeply embedded in the conviction that deliverance will arise, even if from "another place" (Esth 4:14). This subtle theological underpinning suggests that Esther's royal position, and this crucial plea to use it, is part of a larger, unseen divine plan for the preservation of Israel. Her "pleading" becomes the human vehicle for divine rescue.
• The Intercessory Model: Mordecai's action in this verse mirrors other biblical instances where a key figure intercedes for their people facing judgment or threat. This provides a narrative precursor to the ultimate intercessory role of Jesus Christ, who pleaded and continues to plead for His people, enduring risk and sacrifice to bring salvation (Heb 7:25). Esther's personal risk for her people prefigures the greater risk and love exemplified in the gospel.

Esther 4 8 Commentary

Esther 4:8 is a turning point in the Book of Esther. It reveals Mordecai’s resolve and his expectation that Esther will utilize her position to save her people. The command, relayed through Hathach, is multifaceted: it acknowledges Esther’s distress while simultaneously placing an enormous, perilous responsibility upon her shoulders. Mordecai understands that direct petition to the king, bypassing customary summons, is Esther's sole option. The repetitive nature of the appeal—"plead with her and to beg her to plead with the king"—underscores the critical danger and the courage required of Esther. This verse crystallizes the dilemma of the story: Esther must choose between her personal safety and the survival of her entire lineage. Her identity as a Jew, previously hidden, now demands an act of supreme courage and intercession. This moment implicitly calls on God's providential hand, as Esther, though seemingly isolated in a pagan court, becomes the designated agent for His purposes, foreshadowing the crucial principle that individuals may be placed in specific positions "for such a time as this" (Esth 4:14). It transitions the narrative from personal distress to a national imperative, demanding selfless action against evil.