Esther 4:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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].

Complete Jewish Bible:

So Ester summoned Hatakh, one of the king's officials attending her, and instructed him to go to Mordekhai and find out what this was all about and why.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs appointed to her, and she dispatched him to Mordecai to learn what was troubling him and why.

American Standard Version:

Then called Esther for Hathach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and charged him to go to Mordecai, to know what this was, and why it was.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then called^{H7121} Esther^{H635} for Hatach^{H2047}, one of the king's^{H4428} chamberlains^{H5631}, whom he had appointed^{H5975} to attend^{H6440} upon her, and gave him a commandment^{H6680} to Mordecai^{H4782}, to know^{H3045} what it was, and why it was.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Esther 4:5

Esther 4:5 is a verse set within the larger narrative of the Book of Esther, which tells the story of a Jewish woman named Esther who becomes queen of Persia and thwarts a plan to commit genocide against her people. The historical context of the book is generally believed to be during the reign of King Ahasuerus, traditionally identified as Xerxes I (reigned 486–465 BCE). The verse occurs at a critical moment in the story when Esther's cousin Mordecai has just learned of a plot to annihilate all Jews in the empire, instigated by the villain Haman.

In Esther 4:5, the protagonist, Esther, is faced with the gravity of the situation and the potential threat to her own life. She is in the unique position of being able to intervene on behalf of her people, but doing so would require revealing her Jewish identity to the king, an act that could result in her execution. The verse captures the moment when Esther, understanding the urgency and severity of the matter, reaches out to Mordecai through Hatach, one of the king's eunuchs assigned to her service. She sends Hatach to Mordecai to inquire about the details of the crisis and to seek his guidance on how to proceed.

The themes present in this verse include the tension between hidden identity and public action, the courage to confront authority in the face of danger, and the importance of communication and solidarity within a community facing existential threats. Esther's actions reflect her growing resolve to use her position for the greater good, despite the personal risks involved. This moment is pivotal in setting the stage for Esther's eventual bold intervention that will lead to the salvation of her people, a narrative that has resonated with Jewish communities, particularly during the Purim festival, which commemorates these events.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
2. Strong's Number: H635
   There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶסְתֵּר
   Transliteration: ʼEçtêr
   Pronunciation: es-tare'
   Description: of Persian derivation; Ester, the Jewish heroine; Esther.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2047
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הֲתָךְ
   Transliteration: Hăthâk
   Pronunciation: hath-awk'
   Description: probably of foreign origin; Hathak, a Persian eunuch; Hatach.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5631
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָרִיס
   Transliteration: çârîyç
   Pronunciation: saw-reece'
   Description: or סָרִס; from an unused root meaning to castrate; a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state; chamberlain, eunuch, officer. Compare רַב־סָרִיס.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5975
   There are 495 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָמַד
   Transliteration: ʻâmad
   Pronunciation: aw-mad'
   Description: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6680
   There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָוָה
   Transliteration: tsâvâh
   Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
   Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4782
   There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מׇרְדְּכַי
   Transliteration: Mordᵉkay
   Pronunciation: mor-dek-ah'-ee
   Description: of foreign derivation; Mordecai, an Israelite; Mordecai.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3045
    There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָדַע
    Transliteration: yâdaʻ
    Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
    Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.