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Esther, 4

1. When Mordecai learned what had happened, he tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes. Then he walked into the centre of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly,

1. When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

2. until he arrived in front of the Chancellery, which no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter.

2. And came even before the king's gate: for none [might] enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

3. And in every province, no sooner had the royal command and edict arrived, than among the Jews there was great mourning, fasting, weeping and wailing, and many lay on sackcloth and ashes.

3. And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, [there was] great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4. When Queen Esther's maids and officers came and told her, she was overcome with grief. She sent clothes for Mordecai to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he refused them.

4. So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told [it] her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received [it] not.

5. Esther then summoned Hathach, an officer whom the king had appointed to wait on her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai and enquire what the matter was and why he was acting in this way.

5. Then called Esther for Hatach, [one] of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it [was], and why it [was].

6. Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square in front of the Chancellery,

6. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which [was] before the king's gate.

7. and Mordecai told him what had happened to him personally, and also about the sum of money which Haman had offered to pay into the royal treasury to procure the destruction of the Jews.

7. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.

8. He also gave him a copy of the edict of extermination published in Susa for him to show Esther for her information, with the message that she was to go to the king and implore his favour and plead with him for the race to which she belonged.

8. 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.

9. Hathach came back and told Esther what Mordecai had said;

9. And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

10. and she replied with the following message for Mordecai,

10. Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;

11. 'Royal officials and people living in the provinces alike all know that for anyone, man or woman, who approaches the king in the private apartments without having been summoned there, there is only one law: he must die, unless the king, by pointing his golden sceptre towards him, grants him his life. And I have not been summoned to the king for the last thirty days.'

11. All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, [there is] one law of his to put [him] to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

12. These words of Esther were reported to Mordecai,

12. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.

13. who sent back the following reply, 'Do not suppose that, because you are in the king's palace, you are going to be the one Jew to escape.

13. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

14. No; if you persist in remaining silent at such a time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another quarter, but both you and your father's whole family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to the throne for just such a time as this.'

14. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, [then] shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for [such] a time as this?

15. Whereupon Esther sent this reply to Mordecai,

15. Then Esther bade [them] return Mordecai [this answer],

16. 'Go and assemble all the Jews now in Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink day or night for three days. For my part, I and my waiting-women shall keep the same fast, after which I shall go to the king in spite of the law; and if I perish, I perish.'

16. Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

17. Mordecai went away and carried out Esther's instructions.

17. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.



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Przypisy:

4:1-3 - Mordecai's response to the decree reveals the pain and despair of the Jewish people. Mourning and repentance are signs of the need to turn to God for help and guidance (see also Psalm 30:5 and Joel 2:12-13).

4:4-8 - Esther receives Mordecai's message and is confronted with the reality of the situation. Mordecai's willingness to inform Esther of the danger exemplifies everyone's responsibility in the fight for justice (see also Proverbs 27:17 and Galatians 6:2).

4:9-11 - Esther's hesitation to present herself to the king reflects the fear and pressure of Persian culture. This situation highlights the courage required to speak out for the oppressed (see also 2 Timothy 1:7 and Ephesians 6:10-11).

4:12-14 - Mordecai's statement about Esther's destiny and the possibility that she was called to such a position is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty. He uses people and circumstances to accomplish His purposes (see also Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28).

4:15-17 - Esther's decision to intercede for the people demonstrates faith and courage. The importance of prayer and fasting is emphasized as preparation for facing challenges. The collective action of God's people is vital for spiritual victory (see also Matthew 17:21 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Wersety związane z Esther, 4:

Esther chapter 4 reveals the initial response to the crisis. How do the protagonists react to the imminent threat? The text narrates Mordecai's mourning, his communication with Esther and the challenge given to her to intercede with the king. This crucial chapter explores themes of courage, destiny, and the responsibility to act in times of crisis. Esther 4 contains the famous phrase "for such an occasion as this." Reflect with us on five biblical passages that correlate with the bold themes of this pivotal chapter.

Joel 2:12: "Yet even now says the Lord, turn to me with all your heart, with fasting and mourning and weeping." - This verse reflects the Jews' response of fasting and mourning to the threat of destruction in Esther 4.

Proverbs 24:11-12: "Free those who are being led to death; help those who stumble toward slaughter. If you say, 'We knew nothing about it,' will he who weighs hearts not realize this? Won't the one who watches over your life know it? Will he not repay each one according to his manner?" - These verses relate to Esther's responsibility to intercede for her people, as Mordecai argues in Esther 4.

Matthew 16:25: "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - This teaching of Jesus reflects Esther's dilemma in risking her life to save her people in Esther 4.

Romans 8:28: "We know that God works in all things for the good of those who love him, of those who have been called according to his purpose." - This verse relates to the idea that Esther may have risen to the position of queen "for such a time as this" in Esther 4.

James 5:16: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another to be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - This verse reflects the importance of collective prayer and fasting seen in Esther 4.

FAQ:

What did Mordecai say to Esther when he asked for her help?

Mordecai told Esther that even though she was queen, she would not be saved, for the destruction of the Jews would affect everyone, and that she must act to save her people. (Esther 4:13-14)

What did Esther do after receiving Mordecai's message?

Esther asked all the Jews in Susa to fast for three days before she presented herself to the king, seeking his intervention to save her people. (Esther 4:15-16)

Why did Esther say, "If I perish, I perish"?

Esther was willing to risk her life, even knowing that entering the king's presence uninvited could mean her death, because she believed it was her mission to save her people. (Esther 4:16)

What is the significance of Esther and Mordecai's fast?

Esther and Mordecai's fast symbolized spiritual preparation and a search for divine intervention, recognizing that the Jews' salvation depended on God. (Esther 4:16)

What can we learn about Esther's courage?

Esther's courage teaches us the importance of making difficult decisions for the greater good, even when it involves personal risk. Her action was an example of faith and courage. (Esther 4:16)


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