Esther 4 · Verse 8

Esther 4:8

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.
Esther 4:8, King James Version

Esther 4:8 in other translations

BSBMordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for the destruction of the Jews, to show and explain to Esther, urging her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead before him for her people.
WEBHe also gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Susa to destroy them, to show it to Esther, and to declare it to her, and to urge her to go in to the king to make supplication to him, and to make request before him for her people.
ASVAlso he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to show 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.
YLTand the copy of the writing of the law that had been given in Shushan to destroy them he hath given to him, to shew Esther, and to declare it to her, and to lay a charge on her to go in unto the king, to make supplication to him, and to seek from before him, for her people.
DARBYAnd he gave him a copy of the writing of the decree that had been given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it to Esther, and to declare it to her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication to him, and to make request before him, for her people.
BBEAnd he gave him the copy of the order which had been given out in Shushan for their destruction, ordering him to let Esther see it, and to make it clear to her; and to say to her that she was to go in to the king, requesting his mercy, and making prayer for her people.
WebsterAlso he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to show it to Esther, and to declare it to her, and to charge her that she should go in to the king, to make supplication to him, and to make request before him for her people.

What does Esther 4:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. 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.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 That 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.

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 4:8 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.

וְאֶת\־ve.'Etand <obj.>H853
פַּתְשֶׁ֣גֶןpat.She.gen<the> copy ofH6572
כְּתָֽב\־ke.tav-[the] writing ofH3791
הַ֠דָּתHa.dotthe lawH1881
אֲשֶׁר\־'a.Sher-whichH834
נִתַּ֨ןni.Tanit had been givenH5414
בְּשׁוּשָׁ֤ןbe.shu.Shanin SusaH7800
לְהַשְׁמִידָם֙le.hash.mi.Damto annihilate themH8045
נָ֣תַןNa.tanhe gaveH5414
ל֔וֹloto him
לְהַרְא֥וֹתle.har.'otto showH7200
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
אֶסְתֵּ֖ר'es.TerEstherH635
וּלְהַגִּ֣ידu.le.ha.Gidand to tellH5046
לָ֑הּLahto her
וּלְצַוּ֣וֹתu.le.tza.Votand to commandH6680
עָלֶ֗יהָ'a.Lei.hato herH5921
לָב֨וֹאla.Vo'to goH935
אֶל\־'el-toH413
הַמֶּ֧לֶךְha.Me.lekhthe kingH4428
לְהִֽתְחַנֶּן\־le.hit.cha.nen-to seek favorH2603
ל֛וֹloto him
וּלְבַקֵּ֥שׁu.le.va.Keshand to requestH1245
מִלְּפָנָ֖יוmi.le.fa.Navfrom to before himH6440
עַל\־'al-onH5921
עַמָּֽהּ\׃'a.Mahpeople herH5971

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

Cross references for Esther 4:8

  • Ecclesiastes 10:4

    If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

  • Job 9:15

    Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.

  • 1 Timothy 6:13

    I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

  • Esther 3:14-15

    The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

  • Esther 2:20

    Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

  • Esther 7:3-4

    Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.

  • Proverbs 16:14-15

    The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

  • Nehemiah 2:3-5

    And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

  • Proverbs 21:1

    The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

  • Acts 12:20

    And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.

  • Esther 8:6

    For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?

  • 1 Timothy 6:17

    Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the copy.
3:14,15
to charge.
2:20; 1Ti 6:13,17
to make supplication.
Job 9:15; Pr 16:14,15; Ec 10:4; Ac 12:20
request.
7:3,4; 8:6; Ne 2:3-5; Pr 21:1

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

Context

  • Esther 4:7

    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.

  • Esther 4:8

    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.

  • Esther 4:9

    And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

Read all of Esther 4

Esther 4:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Dióle también la copia de la escritura del decreto que había sido dado en Susán para que fuesen destruídos, á fin de que la mostrara á Esther y se lo declarase, y le encargara que fuese al rey á suplicarle, y á pedir delante de él por su pueblo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
et il lui donna une copie de l’écrit de l’édit qui avait été rendu à Suse pour les détruire, afin de le montrer à Esther et de le lui faire connaître, et pour lui commander d’entrer vers le roi, de le supplier et de faire requête devant lui en faveur de son peuple.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Auch gab er ihm eine Abschrift des in Susan erlassenen schriftlichen Befehles, sie zu vertilgen: um sie der Esther zu zeigen und ihr kundzutun, und um ihr zu gebieten, daß sie zu dem König hineingehe, ihn um Gnade anzuflehen und für ihr Volk vor ihm zu bitten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Exemplar quoque edicti, quod pendebat in Susan, dedit ei, ut reginæ ostenderet, et moneret eam ut intraret ad regem et deprecaretur eum pro populo suo.