Keraia
Esther 4

Esther 4:13

Mordecai Appeals to Esther · Esther 4:1–17
Read Esther 4

Translations

Modern
…he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews.
Traditional
Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
Literal
And Mordecai said to return to Esther, “You should not think in your soul to escape in the house of the king more than all the Jews.
Latin
…rursum mandavit Esther, dicens: Ne putes quod animam tuam tantum liberes, quia in domo regis es præ cunctis Judæis:

Original

Hebrew
English
…he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews.

Notes

Esther 4:13–14

  • Do not imagine...you alone will escape: Mordecai did not back down or excuse her because of the danger. He reminded her that staying silent would be more dangerous.

  • relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place: Mordecai knew God's promises and understood that God would not allow his chosen people to be destroyed (see Genesis 12:3; 22:18; 28:14; Isaiah 60:1–5).

  • perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?: Esther's rise to power was not just luck. Her position as Xerxes' favored wife and queen was a role God gave her to influence history for the Jewish people.

Theme notes and profiles

Esther

People

Esther: Jewish queen of Persia; saved her people from genocide Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province Mordecai: Esther's cousin, a Jewish leader in the Persian court

Glossary

Book of Esther Mordecai

Topics

Select Readings: Esther's Triumph