Esther 6 3

Esther 6:3 kjv

And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

Esther 6:3 nkjv

Then the king said, "What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?" And the king's servants who attended him said, "Nothing has been done for him."

Esther 6:3 niv

"What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?" the king asked. "Nothing has been done for him," his attendants answered.

Esther 6:3 esv

And the king said, "What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?" The king's young men who attended him said, "Nothing has been done for him."

Esther 6:3 nlt

"What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?" the king asked. His attendants replied, "Nothing has been done for him."

Esther 6 verses

Esther 6 3 meaning

Esther 6:3 describes King Ahasuerus's inquiry into what specific honor or elevated status had been conferred upon Mordecai for his past loyal deed of exposing a plot against the king's life. The immediate reply from the king's servants confirmed that no such reward, recognition, or elevation had been given to Mordecai for that significant service. This pivotal verse marks the dramatic turning point in the book, highlighting the oversight of human record-keeping which ultimately serves God's sovereign timing and plan for His people.

Esther 6 3 Context

Esther chapter 6 serves as the dramatic turning point in the book of Esther, marking the precise moment where Haman's meticulously crafted plan for Mordecai's destruction unravels. King Ahasuerus, unable to sleep, requests that the royal chronicles, the daily records of his reign, be read aloud. This seemingly mundane action is divinely orchestrated, leading to the reading of the exact account where Mordecai saved the king's life from the assassination plot by Bigthana and Teresh (Est 2:21-23). The king's inquiry in Esther 6:3 follows immediately after this pivotal reading, revealing a glaring oversight: Mordecai's brave act had never been rewarded. Historically, the Persian Empire maintained detailed records (the 'book of memorable deeds,' literally 'book of daily things') and rewarded loyalty extensively, which makes this oversight even more striking and suggestive of divine intervention, not just human negligence. This timing, coming on the very night Haman has built a gallows to execute Mordecai, perfectly sets the stage for God's reversal of fortune for His people.

Esther 6 3 Word analysis

• וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyomer): "And he said." A common Hebrew conjunction ('and') and verb ('he said'), indicating a direct speech. In narrative, it progresses the plot swiftly.
• הַמֶּלֶךְ (hammelekh): "The king." Specific article 'the' highlighting Ahasuerus's authority. He is the ultimate decision-maker in the narrative.
• מַה (mah): "What?" An interrogative pronoun, signaling an inquiry or request for information. It shows the king's surprise and genuine lack of awareness.
• נַּעֲשָׂה (na'asah): "has been done/bestowed." From the verb 'asah (to do, to make), in the Niphal stem (passive voice). It means "what has been done for Mordecai?" emphasizing that some action of reward should have taken place, but was overlooked.
• יְקָר (yəqar): "honor" or "dignity." This noun denotes high value, preciousness, respect, or official honor. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, 'honor' was crucial and often manifested in gifts, titles, or public recognition.
• וּגְדוּלָּה (u-gədullah): "and greatness" or "dignity." From the root gadal (to be great). It signifies elevation to a high position, promotion, or grandeur. Paired with 'honor,' it suggests a significant level of public commendation and perhaps official advancement.
• לְמָרְדֳּכַי (l'Mordekhay): "to Mordecai" or "for Mordecai." The prefixed preposition 'lamed' (לְ) denotes the beneficiary of the action. It pinpoints the subject of the king's query.
• עַל־זֶה (al-zeh): "because of this" or "for this." The preposition 'al' means 'on, upon, concerning, because of,' and 'zeh' means 'this.' It directly references Mordecai's specific prior act of revealing the plot against the king's life (Est 2:21-23), serving as the causal link for the potential reward.
• נַעֲרֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ (na'arey hammelekh): "the king's servants" or "attendants of the king." 'Na'ar' can mean youth, servant, or attendant. In a royal context, these were likely personal valets or trusted officials. They were close enough to know the answer.
• מְשָׁרְתָיו (meshartav): "his attendants" or "who ministered to him." From sharath (to minister, serve). This strengthens the description of the servants as being in close, constant attendance, therefore expected to know such details.
• אֵין נַעֲשָׂה עִמּוֹ דָּבָר (ein na'asah immo davar): "nothing has been done for him (a thing)."
  • אֵין (ein): "Nothing," or "there is not." A strong negation, confirming absolute lack of action.
  • נַעֲשָׂה (na'asah): Same Niphal verb, "has been done." Reiteration of the past action's non-occurrence.
  • עִמּוֹ (immo): "with him" or "for him." The preposition 'im' (with) coupled with 'o' (him), indicating no action taken in relation to or for him.
  • דָּבָר (davar): "a thing" or "anything." This noun typically means 'word, matter, thing.' In this construction, it reinforces the totality of the negation – not even a single thing was done. It emphasizes the complete oversight.

Esther 6 3 Bonus section

The complete lack of honor or dignity for Mordecai, despite his heroic deed being recorded in the royal chronicles (Est 2:23), is a crucial point that elevates this moment beyond mere administrative oversight. It signifies a "gap" in human justice and foresight that only divine timing could fill. This scenario emphasizes God's sovereign control even when His name is not explicitly mentioned in the Book of Esther. The sudden remembering by the king, a secular monarch, directly challenges the notion of "chance" and firmly establishes God's hidden hand working behind the scenes. The king's question implies an inherent expectation within Persian custom for loyalty to be promptly and richly rewarded; its absence highlights the unique narrative purpose here. This event serves as a practical demonstration that God sees all, and nothing is truly forgotten by Him.

Esther 6 3 Commentary

Esther 6:3 is the dramatic pivot around which the entire narrative of Esther turns, marking the commencement of Haman's downfall and Mordecai's ascent. The verse encapsulates a moment of critical awareness from King Ahasuerus regarding Mordecai's unrewarded loyalty. The seemingly random act of reading chronicles to a sleepless king, a human detail, underscores divine providence operating through ordinary circumstances. This inquiry from Ahasuerus highlights the systematic failure of the Persian court to acknowledge a life-saving act, but simultaneously sets the stage for God's perfect timing. The omission of recognition for Mordecai serves as a striking contrast to Haman's insatiable quest for public honor, subtly foreshadowing the reversal of their destinies. The profound irony lies in the fact that on the very night Haman has erected a gallows for Mordecai, the king decides to rectify this oversight. The question, "What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?" is essentially God's will emerging into the human sphere, revealing that His righteous judgment and reward for faithfulness are never forgotten, even if temporarily delayed by human mechanisms. This incident demonstrates that God’s memory is perfect, and He will ensure justice and appropriate reward in due course, often in unexpected and dramatic ways, when it aligns with His redemptive purposes.