Esther 4:8

Esther 4:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
• New International Version (NIV)He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction, which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people.

Context of Esther 4:8

6So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square in front of the King’s Gate. 7Mordecai told him everything that had happened as well as the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay the royal treasury for the slaughter of the Jews. Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa ordering their destruction, so that Hathach might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and command her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead with him personally for her people. 9Hathach came and repeated Mordecai’s response to Esther. 10Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to tell Mordecai,

Esther 4:8 word by word

וְאֶת־פַּתְשֶׁ֣גֶן כְּתָֽב־הַ֠דָּת אֲשֶׁר־נִתַּ֨ן בְּשׁוּשָׁ֤ן לְהַשְׁמִידָם֙ נָ֣תַן ל֔וֹ לְהַרְא֥וֹת אֶת־אֶסְתֵּ֖ר וּלְהַגִּ֣יד לָ֑הּ וּלְצַוּ֣וֹת עָלֶ֗יהָ לָב֨וֹא אֶל־הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ לְהִֽתְחַנֶּן־ל֛וֹ וּלְבַקֵּ֥שׁ מִלְּפָנָ֖יו עַל־עַמָּֽהּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Also he gaveנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
• him the copyפַּתְשֶׁ֫גֶןparshegen pathshegen · copyH6572
• of the writingכְּתָבkâthâb · writingH3791
• of the decreeדָּתdâth · lawH1881
• at Shushanשׁוּשַׁןshûshan · SusaH7800
• to destroyשָׁמַדshâmad · to destroyH8045
• them, to shewרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• unto Estherאֶסְתֵּר'estêr · EstherH635
• and to declareנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
• unto her, and to chargeצָוָהtsâvâh · to commandH6680
• her that she should go inבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• unto the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• to make supplicationחָנַןchânan · be graciousH2603
• unto him, and to make requestבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• him for her peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971

Cross-references for Esther 4:8

• Esther 3:14A copy of the text, issued as law throughout every province, was distributed to all the peoples so that they might get ready for that day.
• Esther 2:20Esther still did not reveal her family background or her ethnicity, as Mordecai had directed. She obeyed Mordecai’s orders, as she always had while he raised her.
• 1 Timothy 6:13In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you
• Job 9:15Even if I were in the right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy.
• Proverbs 16:14A king’s fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.
• Acts 12:20Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. Together they presented themselves before him. After winning over Blastus, who was in charge of the king’s bedroom, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food from the king’s country.
• Esther 7:3Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if the king is pleased, spare my life; this is my request. And spare my people; this is my desire.
• Esther 8:6For how could I bear to see the disaster that would come on my people? How could I bear to see the destruction of my relatives?”
• Nehemiah 2:3and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
• Proverbs 21:1A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses.

Commentaries on Esther 4:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8That she should go in unto the king - The Greek adds, "Remember the time of your low estate, and in what manner you have been nourished, and carried in my arms; and that Haman, who is next to the king, has got a decree for our destruction. Pray, therefore, to the Lord, and plead with the king, that we may be delivered from death." But there is not a word of this either in the Hebrew, Syriac, or Vulgate.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-17Verses 5-17 We are prone to shrink from services that are attended with peril or loss. But when the cause of Christ and his people demand it, we must take up our cross, and follow him. When Christians are disposed to consult their own ease or safety, rather than the public good, they should be blamed. The law was express, all knew it. It is not thus in the court of the King of kings: to the footstool of his throne of grace we may always come boldly, and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8A copy of the decree with the king’s seal would show Esther how serious the situation was. implore his favor: Mordecai did not give Esther reasons to present to the king. He only asked her to appeal to the king’s mercy and use her influence for her people.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. charge her that she should go in unto the king--This language is exceedingly strong. As it can scarcely be supposed that Mordecai was still using authority over Esther as his adopted daughter, he must be considered as imploring rather than commanding her, in the name of her brethren and in the name of her God, to make a direct appeal to the feelings of her royal husband.Read the comment

Topics related to Esther 4:8

• Courage
• Readings, Select
• Shushan (Susa)

In the dictionaries

• Esther
• Esther, Hadassah
• Esther, Book of

Commentaries on Esther 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings