Esther 4 9

Esther 4:9 kjv

And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

Esther 4:9 nkjv

So Hathach returned and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

Esther 4:9 niv

Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said.

Esther 4:9 esv

And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said.

Esther 4:9 nlt

So Hathach returned to Esther with Mordecai's message.

Esther 4 verses

Esther 4 9 Meaning

Esther 4:9 signifies the pivotal communication of Mordecai's urgent, life-threatening message to Queen Esther through Hathach, a trusted chamberlain. This verse marks the successful transfer of crucial information about the decree to annihilate the Jews, thereby initiating Esther's awareness and engagement with the crisis, setting the stage for her future intercession and ultimately, the deliverance of her people. It underscores the indispensable role of a faithful intermediary in conveying vital truths under divine providence.

Esther 4 9 Context

Esther chapter 4 begins with Mordecai's desperate mourning after learning of Haman's genocidal decree against all Jews in the Persian Empire (Esth 4:1-3). Mordecai rends his clothes, puts on sackcloth and ashes, and cries out in anguish in the city square, close to the palace gate. News of his distress reaches Queen Esther, who is greatly distressed. She sends clothes to him, but he refuses (Esth 4:4). Concerned, Esther then sends Hathach, one of the king's chamberlains appointed to attend her, to inquire of Mordecai the reason for his anguish (Esth 4:5). Mordecai then recounts to Hathach all the details of Haman's plot, including the sum of money Haman promised to pay the king for the permission to annihilate the Jews (Esth 4:7). He also gives Hathach a copy of the written decree (Esth 4:8) and charges him to show it to Esther, explain the situation, and "charge her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people" (Esth 4:8). Verse 9 describes Hathach fulfilling this vital mission: "Hathach went and told Esther the words of Mordecai." This communication bridges the isolation of the queen within the palace and the devastating reality facing her people, setting the stage for Esther's dramatic intercession.

Esther 4 9 Word analysis

• Hathach (הֲתָךְ - Hathakh): This refers to one of the king's trusted eunuchs, specifically appointed to attend Queen Esther (Esth 2:21, 4:5). In the ancient Near East, eunuchs often held positions of significant trust and authority within royal households due to their perceived loyalty and lack of dynastic ambition. Hathach's established position and direct access to Esther made him an indispensable and reliable messenger in this crisis. His trustworthiness is implicitly confirmed by both Mordecai (who entrusts him with such vital information) and Esther (who sends him as her first emissary).
• went (וַיָּבֹא - vayavo): This is a simple Hebrew verb from בּוֹא (bo'), meaning "to come" or "to go." The consecutive perfect form "vayavo" (often translated as "and he went") conveys an immediate, direct action, indicating Hathach's prompt obedience and successful delivery of the message. There was no hesitation or deviation from his assigned task.
• and told (וַיַּגֵּד - vayaged): This verb is the Hiphil imperfect of נגד (nagad), which means "to declare," "to make known," "to report." The Hiphil stem often indicates causing something to be done, or causing someone to know. Here, it implies not merely an informal chat, but a clear, comprehensive, and authoritative recounting of Mordecai's message. It suggests a faithful and complete disclosure of the dire situation.
• Esther (אֶסְתֵּר - Ester): The central figure of the book, now Queen of Persia. Before this moment, she might have been shielded from the full scope of the empire's policies or Haman's specific hatred towards the Jews. This verse marks the critical juncture where the overwhelming reality of her people's peril is brought directly to her, requiring her to step into her destiny.
• the words (דִּבְרֵי - divrei): The plural construct form of דָּבָר (davar), which signifies more than just casual utterances. "Davar" can mean a word, matter, thing, affair, or even a report. Here, it specifically refers to the entire substance of Mordecai's urgent communication—including Haman's plot, the price offered for destruction, the decree's severity, and the explicit charge for Esther to intercede (Esth 4:7-8). It encapsulates the grave truth and the call to action.
• of Mordecai (מָרְדֳּכַי - Mordekhai): Esther's cousin and guardian, who had discovered the plot. His identity as the source lends profound authority and urgency to the message delivered, given their deep familial bond and Mordecai's consistent wisdom and guidance throughout Esther's life. He is the prime mover in awakening Esther to her critical role.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Hathach went and told": This phrase highlights Hathach's crucial role as the reliable and effective communication link. In an environment like the Persian court, where communication could be restricted or fraught with peril, Hathach's promptness and accuracy were vital. He did not distort or filter the message but faithfully transmitted it. This faithful execution of his duty ensured the grave information reached its intended recipient intact.
• "Esther the words of Mordecai": This specific phrasing emphasizes that the content originated precisely from Mordecai and was delivered directly to Esther. It was not a rumor or a vague warning, but "the words" – the concrete details and the explicit charge – from the very person she trusted most outside the palace. This precise relay of "the words" ensures that Esther receives the full weight and gravity of the message, thereby empowering her to fully comprehend the peril and prepare for courageous action.

Esther 4 9 Bonus section

• The Unseen Hand: Although the Book of Esther never explicitly mentions God, divine providence is powerfully demonstrated through seemingly coincidental or natural occurrences. Hathach's trusted position, his willingness to cooperate, and his reliable relay of the message are all elements through which God subtly orchestrates the unfolding events, demonstrating that He works through human agents, even non-Israelites and palace officials, to fulfill His purposes for His people.
• Reliability as a Virtue: Hathach's swift and faithful discharge of his duty underscores the biblical value of trustworthiness, especially for those in positions of service or responsibility. His actions ensured that a critical message reached its recipient without compromise or delay, emphasizing that accuracy and faithfulness in communication can have monumental consequences.
• Bridge Between Worlds: Hathach served as a crucial bridge between two disparate worlds: Mordecai, representing the persecuted Jewish community facing external destruction, and Esther, residing in the insulated world of the Persian royal palace. His capacity to traverse both realms made the vital communication possible, transforming passive distress into a potential for active deliverance.

Esther 4 9 Commentary

Esther 4:9 is a deceptively simple verse that acts as a linchpin in the narrative. It describes the successful relay of Mordecai's urgent and life-altering message to Queen Esther through the trusted eunuch, Hathach. The very survival of the Jewish people hinges on this faithful transmission of information. Hathach, though seemingly a minor character, plays a crucial role as a reliable intermediary, demonstrating the divine providence working through individuals in unassuming positions. Without his immediate and accurate communication, Esther might have remained ignorant of the imminent genocide, and the course of events could have been drastically different. The "words of Mordecai" carried not only facts but also a divine summons for Esther to use her position to save her people, thus prompting her into a period of solemn prayer, fasting, and ultimately, courageous action.