Esther 4

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 4 of 10

1 ¶ And Mordecai understood all that was done, and Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, and cried with a loud and bitter cry.

2 And he came until he was before the king's gate; for there was no entering into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

3 And in every province, at the place where the king's word and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping and wailing. Sackcloth and ashes were spread on many.

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Chapter Summary

1 The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews. 4 Esther sends to Mordecai, who shows the cause, and advises her to undertake the suit. 15 She appoints a fast and undertakes the suit.

Key Hebrew Words

בְּגָדָ֔י treachery H899 · TWOT 198a
אָצ֣וּם abstain from food H6684 · TWOT 1890
אַחֵ֔ר another H312 · TWOT 68a
שְׁלוֹשִׁ֥ים thirty H7970 · TWOT 2403d
פָּרָשַׁ֣ת exact statement H6575 · TWOT 1833a

People & Context

Mordecai Mourns in the City

Upon learning of the decree, Mordecai tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth and ashes, and cries out with a loud and bitter cry in the middle of the ci…

Mordecai Stops at the King's Gate

Mordecai approaches the king's gate but cannot enter because wearing sackcloth through the gate is forbidden.

The Jews Mourn Province-Wide

In every province where the decree reaches, there is great mourning, fasting, weeping, and wailing among the Jews, with many wearing sackcloth and ash…

Timeline

Mordecai Mourns in the City

Upon learning of the decree, Mordecai tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth and ashes, and cries out with a loud and bitter cry in the middle of the city.

Esther 4:1
Mordecai Stops at the King's Gate

Mordecai approaches the king's gate but cannot enter because wearing sackcloth through the gate is forbidden.

Esther 4:2
The Jews Mourn Province-Wide

In every province where the decree reaches, there is great mourning, fasting, weeping, and wailing among the Jews, with many wearing sackcloth and ashes.

Esther 4:3

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