Esther 4
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Commentaries
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Mordecai rent his clothes - He gave every demonstration of the most poignant and oppressive grief. Nor did he hide this from the city; and the Greek says that he uttered these words aloud: Αιρεται εθνος μηδεν ηδικηκος, A people are going to be destroyed, who have done no evil!
Open source ↗MORDECAI AND THE JEWS MOURN. (Est 4:1-14) When Mordecai perceived all that was done--Relying on the irrevocable nature of a Persian monarch's decree (Dan 6:15), Hamman made it known as soon as the royal sanction had been obtained; and Mordecai was, doubtless, among the first to hear of it. On his own account, as well as on that of his countrymen, this astounding decree must have been indescribably distressing. The acts described in this passage are, according to the Oriental fashion, expressive of the most poignant sorrow; and his approach to the gate of the palace, under the impulse of irrepressible emotions, was to make an earnest though vain appeal to the royal mercy. Access, however, to the king's presence was, to a person in his disfigured state, impossible: "for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth." But he found means of conveying intelligence of the horrid plot to Queen Esther.
Open source ↗When Mordecai perceived all that was done,.... By the king, at the instigation of Haman, against the Jews; which he came to the knowledge of, either by some of the conflicts or by common fame, or on the sight of the edicts which were published in Shushan; though the Jews think it was made known to him in a supernatural way, either by Elijah, as the former Targum (x), or by the Holy Ghost, as the latter: Mordecai rent his clothes: both behind and before, according to the same Targum; and this was a custom used in mourning, not only with the Jews, but with the Persians also, as Herodotus (y) relates: and put on sackcloth with ashes; upon his head, as the former Targum; which was usual in mourning, even both; Job 2:12 and went out into the midst of the city; not Elam the province, as Aben Ezra, but the city Shushan: and cried with a loud and bitter cry; that all the Jews in the city might be alarmed by it, and inquire the reason of it, and be affected with it; and a clamorous mournful noise was used among the Persians, as well as others, on sad occasions (z). (x) So Midrash Esther, fol. 94. 1. (y) Thalia, sive, l. 3. c. ----. Urania, sive, l. 8. c. 99. (z) Calliope, sive, l. 9. c. 24.
Open source ↗Mordochai learnt all that was done, - not only what had been openly proclaimed, but, as is shown by Est 4:7, also the transaction between the king and Haman. Then he rent his garments, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, making loud and bitter lamentation. Comp. on the last words, Gen 27:34. The combination of אפר with שׂק ילבּשׁ is an abbreviation for: put on a hairy garment and spread ashes upon his head, in sign of deep grief; comp. Dan 9:3; Job 2:12, and elsewhere. Est 4:2 And came even before the king's gate, i.e., according to Est 4:6, the open space before the entrance to the royal palace; for none might enter wearing mourning. לבוא אין, there is no entering, i.e., none may enter; comp. Ewald, 321, c. Est 4:3 Also in every province whither the king's decree arrived, there arose a great mourning among the Jews. אשׁר מקום is an adverbial accusat. loci in apposition to בּכל־מדינה: in every place to which the word of the king and his decree reached, i.e., arrived. "Sackcloth and ashes were spread for many," i.e., many sat in hairy garments upon the earth, where ashes had been spread; comp. Isa 58:5. The meaning is: All the Jews broke out into mourning, weeping, and lamentation, while many manifested their grief in the manner above described.
Open source ↗Here we have an account of the general sorrow that there was among the Jews upon the publishing of Haman's bloody edict against them. It was a sad time with the church. 1. Mordecai cried bitterly, rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth, Est 4:1, Est 4:2. He not only thus vented his grief, but proclaimed it, that all might take notice of it that he was not ashamed to own himself a friend to the Jews, and a fellow-sufferer with them, their brother and companion in tribulation, how despicable and how odious soever they were now represented by Haman's faction. It was nobly done thus publicly to espouse what he knew to be a righteous cause, and the cause of God, even when it seemed a desperate and a sinking cause. Mordecai laid the danger to heart more than any because he knew that Haman's spite was against him primarily, and that it was for his sake that the rest of the Jews were struck at; and therefore, though he did not repent of what some would call his obstinacy, for he persisted in it (Est 5:9), yet it troubled him greatly that his people should suffer for his scruples, which perhaps occasioned some of them to reflect upon him as too precise. But, being able to appeal to God that what he did he did from a principle of conscience, he could with comfort commit his own cause and that of his people to him that judgeth righteously. God will keep those that are exposed by the tenderness of their consciences. Notice is here taken of a law that none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth; though the arbitrary power of their kings often, as now, set many a mourning, yet none must come near the king in a mourning dress, because he was not willing to hear the complaints of such. Nothing but what was gay and pleasant must appear at court, and every thing that was…
Open source ↗4:1 Mordecai’s dramatic response showed extreme grief and mourning (see 2 Sam 1:11; Ezra 9; Jon 3:5-9).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application קָרַע (qâraʻ, H7167) — to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them) בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… שַׂק (saq, H8242) — properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or… אֵפֶר (ʼêpher, H665) — ashes יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… זָעַק (zâʻaq, H2199) — to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent מַר (mar, H4751) — bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate לְבוּשׁ (lᵉbûwsh, H3830) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife שַׂק (saq, H8242) — properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or…
Open source ↗מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause דָּת (dâth, H1881) — a royal edict or statute נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent אֵבֶל (ʼêbel, H60) — lamentation יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) צוֹם (tsôwm, H6685) — a fast בְּכִי (Bᵉkîy, H1065) — a weeping; by analogy, a dripping מִסְפֵּד (miçpêd, H4553) — a lamentation רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) יַצַע (yatsaʻ, H3331) — to strew as a surface
Open source ↗אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine נַעֲרָה (naʻărâh, H5291) — a girl (from infancy to adolescence) סָרִיס (çârîyç, H5631) — a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… מַלְכָּה (malkâh, H4436) — a queen מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… חוּל (chûwl, H2342) — properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) שַׂק (saq, H8242) — properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or…
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine הֲתָךְ (Hăthâk, H2047) — Hathak, a Persian eunuch מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king סָרִיס (çârîyç, H5631) — a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,…
Open source ↗הֲתָךְ (Hăthâk, H2047) — Hathak, a Persian eunuch יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite רְחֹב (rᵉchôb, H7339) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate
Open source ↗מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… קָרָה (qârâh, H7136) — to light upon (chiefly by accident); causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose… פָּרָשָׁה (pârâshâh, H6575) — exposition כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money הָמָן (Hâmân, H2001) — Haman, a Persian vizier אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁקַל (shâqal, H8254) — to suspend or poise (especially in trade) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king גֶּנֶז (genez, H1595) — treasure; by implication, a coffer יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) פַּרְשֶׁגֶן (parshegen, H6572) — a transcript כָּתָב (kâthâb, H3791) — something written, i.e. a writing, record or book דָּת (dâth, H1881) — a royal edict or statute שׁוּשַׁן (Shûwshan, H7800) — Shushan, a place in Persia שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חָנַן (chânan, H2603) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to… בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to…
Open source ↗הֲתָךְ (Hăthâk, H2047) — Hathak, a Persian eunuch בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite
Open source ↗אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) הֲתָךְ (Hăthâk, H2047) — Hathak, a Persian eunuch צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) פְּנִימִי (pᵉnîymîy, H6442) — interior חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first דָּת (dâth, H1881) — a royal edict or statute מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗מׇרְדְּכַי (Mordᵉkay, H4782) — Mordecai, an Israelite אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אֶסְתֵּר (ʼEçtêr, H635) — Ester, the Jewish heroine דָּמָה (dâmâh, H1819) — to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… מָלַט (mâlaṭ, H4422) — properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness);… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah)
Open source ↗חָרַשׁ (chârash, H2790) — to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. רֶוַח (revach, H7305) — room, literally (an interval) or figuratively (deliverance) הַצָּלָה (hatstsâlâh, H2020) — rescue עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion
Open source ↗Cross-references
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So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her robe. And putting her hand on her head, she went away crying bitterly.
Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same.
Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes.”
Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
The great Day of the LORD is near— near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter.
But you, son of man, groan! Groan before their eyes with a broken heart and bitter grief.
And Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself as he sat among the ashes.
Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?