Esther 9:4 kjv
For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
Esther 9:4 nkjv
For Mordecai was great in the king's palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for this man Mordecai became increasingly prominent.
Esther 9:4 niv
Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.
Esther 9:4 esv
For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful.
Esther 9:4 nlt
For Mordecai had been promoted in the king's palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces as he became more and more powerful.
Esther 9 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 41:40-44 | "...You shall be over my house... Only in the throne will I be greater than you... he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt." | Joseph's exaltation and great authority in Egypt. |
| Ex 18:1 | "When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel..." | Report of God's mighty acts spreading. |
| 1 Sam 2:7-8 | "The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up; He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap..." | Divine reversal of status. |
| Psa 1:3 | "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." | The continuous flourishing of the righteous. |
| Psa 75:7 | "But God is the judge; He puts down one and exalts another." | God's sovereignty in raising and humbling. |
| Prov 4:18 | "But the path of the righteous is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day." | Continuous growth and increasing brightness of the righteous. |
| Prov 16:7 | "When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." | God's favor bringing widespread peace and acceptance. |
| Dan 6:28 | "So Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian." | Daniel's continuous prosperity and influence in foreign courts. |
| Neh 2:20 | "...The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build..." | God's direct role in the prosperity of His servants. |
| Jer 29:11 | "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." | God's long-term benevolent plan for His people. |
| Isa 54:17 | "No weapon formed against you shall prosper..." | God's ultimate protection against all adversarial plots. |
| Matt 4:24 | "Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people..." | Jesus' reputation and influence spreading widely. |
| Lk 2:52 | "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." | Example of continuous increase in favor and status. |
| Lk 14:11 | "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." | Principle of divine reversal and exaltation for humility. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him..." | God's orchestration of events for the good of His people. |
| 1 Cor 15:58 | "...therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord..." | Call to continuous increase in service. |
| Phil 1:9 | "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment..." | Prayer for continuous spiritual growth. |
| Col 1:10 | "...that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God..." | Ethical living leading to increase in knowledge and fruitfulness. |
| 1 Thess 4:10 | "...But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more..." | Exhortation to progressive growth in love. |
| Jas 4:10 | "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." | Divine promise of elevation for the humble. |
| 1 Pet 5:6 | "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time..." | Humility leading to God's timely exaltation. |
Esther 9 verses
Esther 9 4 Meaning
Esther 9:4 signifies the pinnacle of Mordecai's power and influence within the Persian Empire, stating that his prominence and authority continuously expanded. He not only achieved a high position within the royal court but also gained widespread renown across all provinces. This verse highlights the dynamic, ongoing increase of his greatness, solidifying his new role as the king's most trusted advisor and demonstrating a complete reversal of fortunes for the Jewish people.
Esther 9 4 Context
Esther chapter 9 records the climactic fulfillment of the royal decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies. Verses 1-3 describe the Jews' victory across the provinces and the fear that fell upon all the peoples, particularly because the officials feared Mordecai. Esther 9:4 serves as the direct explanation for this widespread fear and the assistance rendered to the Jews: Mordecai's ascendant and unchallenged authority. Having been appointed second to King Ahasuerus (Esther 8:2), this verse affirms that Mordecai's power and influence were not static but were continuously expanding, becoming a known and potent force throughout the vast Persian Empire. It signifies the complete reversal from a period of existential threat to unprecedented prominence and security for the Jewish community.
Esther 9 4 Word analysis
- For (כִּי, kī): This conjunction indicates causality or explanation, tying the widespread fear and support for the Jews (mentioned in the preceding verses) directly to Mordecai's growing eminence.
- Mordecai (מָרְדֳּכַי, Mordəkhay): The central Jewish figure who had previously exposed a plot against the king, orchestrated Haman's downfall, and advised Queen Esther. His name here reinforces his personal, pivotal role in the Jewish people's deliverance and their subsequent security.
- was great (גָּדוֹל, gadol): Refers not just to physical size, but to significant status, authority, and prominence. It implies a position of substantial power and respect.
- in the king's house (בְּבֵית הַמֶּלֶךְ, bəḇêṯ hammeleḵ): This specifies the epicenter of his influence – the royal palace. It means he had direct access to and favor with the highest authority, wielding immense administrative and political power.
- and his fame (וְשָׁמְעוֹ, v'sham'o): Derived from the root "to hear," this refers to his reputation, renown, or what was being reported about him. It indicates that his elevated status and deeds were publicly known and widely acknowledged.
- went out (הוֹלֵךְ, holekh): A participle indicating continuous motion, signifying that his fame was not static but was actively spreading, dynamically traveling throughout the empire.
- throughout all the provinces (בְּכָל הַמְּדִינוֹת, bəḵāl hamməḏînōṯ): This emphasizes the immense geographical scope of Mordecai's reputation, spanning the entire vast Persian Empire. It speaks to the comprehensive nature of his known authority.
- for this man Mordecai (כִּי הָאִישׁ מָרְדֳּכַי, kī hā’îš Mordecai): The repetition of "Mordecai," along with "this man," serves to strongly re-emphasize him as the focal point and primary cause of the widespread influence. The initial "for" acts as a summary reason for his greatness, while the second "for" (with "this man Mordecai") provides the intensified reason, signaling the next part of the explanation.
- waxed greater and greater (הוֹלֵךְ וְגָדֵל, holekh v'gadel): This is a powerful Hebrew idiom combining "going" and "growing." It denotes a progressive, continuous, and intensifying increase in greatness and authority. It portrays not just a new position, but a dynamic, upward trajectory of escalating power, solidifying his role as the paramount figure next to the king.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- For Mordecai was great in the king's house: This phrase establishes Mordecai's immediate and central position of power within the imperial capital, a direct result of the previous chapter's events and a key factor for the support of the Jews.
- and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: This highlights the extensive reach of his influence, emphasizing that his new status and power were known and felt far beyond the palace, extending to every corner of the vast empire.
- for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater: This final clause is emphatic, stressing the ongoing, dynamic, and exponentially increasing nature of Mordecai's authority and prominence. It is a direct statement of his rising influence that justified the fear and respect accorded to the Jews' champion.
Esther 9 4 Bonus section
The repeated emphasis on Mordecai's continuous growth in power (Esth 8:15 describes his new attire, Esth 9:3 his respected officials, and Esth 9:4 his national recognition) draws a stark literary contrast with Haman, who experienced a swift and irreversible downfall. Haman's greatness was fleeting and self-proclaimed (Esth 5:11); Mordecai's was divinely appointed and continuously expanding. This verse acts as a final vindication for Mordecai, validating his faithfulness and illustrating that divine favor is not static but actively sustains and grows those who walk uprightly. It reflects the overarching biblical theme that obedience and humble service lead to genuine elevation and lasting impact, rather than pride and self-exaltation.
Esther 9 4 Commentary
Esther 9:4 marks the narrative's triumphant climax concerning Mordecai, affirming the full and continuing reversal of the Jewish people's fortunes. What began as a plot for annihilation transforms into a period of unparalleled protection and prosperity, chiefly through Mordecai's ascension. The Hebrew phrasing "waxed greater and greater" (lit. "going and growing") is a strong, dynamic idiom indicating a steady, continuous, and ever-increasing accumulation of power and recognition. This verse underlines the profound shift in the political landscape of the Persian Empire, where a once-despised Jewish man became second only to the king, exercising immense authority across all provinces. While God's name is notably absent from the book of Esther, this verse profoundly illustrates divine providence working behind the scenes. It demonstrates that the humble are exalted and the righteous ultimately prevail, fulfilling God's protective purpose for His covenant people. It’s a testament to God's faithfulness in safeguarding His plans and promises, even through human agents in a seemingly secular context.