Esther 4 · Verse 13

Esther 4:13

Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
Esther 4:13, King James Version

Esther 4:13 in other translations

BSBhe 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.
WEBThen Mordecai asked them to return this answer to Esther: “Don’t think to yourself that you will escape in the king’s house any more than all the Jews.
ASVThen Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
YLTand Mordecai speaketh to send back unto Esther: ‘Do not think in thy soul to be delivered in the house of the king, more than all the Jews,
DARBYAnd Mordecai bade to answer Esther: Imagine not in thy heart that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
BBEThen Mordecai sent this answer back to Esther: Do not have the idea that you in the king's house will be safe from the fate of all the Jews.
WebsterThen Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews.

What does Esther 4:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Esther 4:13-14
13-14. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther--His answer was to this effect, that Esther need not indulge the vain hope she would, from her royal connection, escape the general doom of her race--that he (Mordecai) confidently believed God would interpose, and, if not through her, by some other deliverer, save His people; but that the duty evidently devolved on her, as there was great reason to believe that this was the design of Providence in her elevation to the dignity of queen, and therefore that she should go with a courageous heart, not doubting of success.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 Think not - that thou shalt escape - This confirms the suspicion that Haman knew something of the relationship between Mordecai and Esther; and therefore he gives her to understand that, although in the king's palace, she should no more escape than the Jews.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Esther 4:5-17

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…

Read the full comment on Esther 4:5-17 →

Esther 4:13 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיֹּ֥אמֶרvai.Yo.merand he saidH559
מָרְדֳּכַ֖יma.re.do.KhaiMordecaiH4782
לְהָשִׁ֣יבle.ha.Shivto bring backH7725
אֶל\־'el-toH413
אֶסְתֵּ֑ר'es.TerEstherH635
אַל\־'al-may notH408
תְּדַמִּ֣יte.da.Miyou imagineH1819
בְנַפְשֵׁ֔ךְve.naf.Shekhin self yourH5315
לְהִמָּלֵ֥טle.hi.ma.Letto escapeH4422
בֵּית\־beit-[the] house ofH1004
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְha.Me.lekhthe kingH4428
מִכָּל\־mi.kolfrom allH3605
הַיְּהוּדִֽים\׃hai.ye.hu.Dimthe JewsH3064

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Esther 4:13

  • Proverbs 24:10-12

    If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

  • John 12:25

    He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

  • Philippians 2:30

    Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

  • Hebrews 12:3

    For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Think not.
Pr 24:10-12; Mt 16:24,25; Joh 12:25; Php 2:30; Heb 12:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Esther 4:12

    And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.

  • Esther 4:13

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

  • Esther 4:14

    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?

Read all of Esther 4

Esther 4:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Entonces dijo Mardochêo que respondiesen á Esther: No pienses en tu alma, que escaparás en la casa del rey más que todos los Judíos:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Mardochée dit de répondre à Esther: Ne pense pas en ton âme d’échapper, dans la maison du roi, plutôt que tous les Juifs;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und Mordokai ließ der Esther antworten: Denke nicht in deinem Herzen, daß du im Hause des Königs allein vor allen Juden entkommen werdest.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		rursum mandavit Esther, dicens: Ne putes quod animam tuam tantum liberes, quia in domo regis es præ cunctis Judæis: