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

שַׂק sackcloth H8242 · TWOT 2282a
אֵ֫בֶל mourning H60 · TWOT 6a
צוֹם fasting H6685 · TWOT 1890a
אָבַד to perish H6 · TWOT 2
שַׁרְבִֿיט scepter H8275 · TWOT 2314b
בֶּ֫גֶד garments H899 · TWOT 198a

People & Context

Mordecai

tears his clothes in sackcloth and ashes, then urges Esther to plead for her people

Esther (Hadassah)

queen who resolves to risk her life before the king, calling the Jews to fast with her

Hathach

royal eunuch appointed to Esther who carries her messages to and from Mordecai

Haman

named as the one who promised silver to the treasuries to destroy the Jews

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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