New King James Version
Esther 4:8
8He 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.
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 Living Translation (NLT)Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree issued in Susa that called for the death of all Jews. He asked Hathach to show it to Esther and explain the situation to her. He also asked Hathach to direct her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people.
Context of Esther 4:8
6So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square that was in front of the king’s gate. 7And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jews. 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. 9So Hathach returned and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai:
Read all of Esther 4Esther 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 document was to be issued as law in every province, being published for all people, that they should be ready for that day.
- Esther 2:20Now Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him.
- 1 Timothy 6:13I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
- Job 9:15For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him; I would beg mercy of my Judge.
- Proverbs 16:14As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.
- Acts 12:20Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country.
- Esther 7:3Then Queen Esther answered and said, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.
- Esther 8:6For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my countrymen?”
- Nehemiah 2:3and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?”
- Proverbs 21:1The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries