Esther 4:11

All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, [there is] one law of his to put [him] to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

All the king's {H4428} servants {H5650}, and the people {H5971} of the king's {H4428} provinces {H4082}, do know {H3045}, that whosoever, whether man {H376} or woman {H802}, shall come {H935} unto the king {H4428} into the inner {H6442} court {H2691}, who is not called {H7121}, there is one {H259} law {H1881} of his to put him to death {H4191}, except {H905} such to whom the king {H4428} shall hold out {H3447} the golden {H2091} sceptre {H8275}, that he may live {H2421}: but I have not been called {H7121} to come in {H935} unto the king {H4428} these thirty {H7970} days {H3117}.

"All the king's officials, as well as the people in the royal provinces, know that if anyone, man or woman, approaches the king in the inner courtyard without being summoned, there is just one law - he must be put to death - unless the king holds out the gold scepter for him to remain alive; and I haven't been summoned to the king for the past thirty days."

“All the royal officials and the people of the king’s provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned—that he be put to death. Only if the king extends the gold scepter may that person live. But I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the past thirty days.”

All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except those to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

Commentary

Esther 4:11 reveals Queen Esther's grave predicament and the immense personal risk involved in approaching King Ahasuerus unbidden. This verse is Esther's direct response to Mordecai's urgent plea for her to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people, who faced annihilation under Haman's genocidal decree.

Context

The book of Esther is set in the Persian Empire during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I). After Mordecai discovers Haman's plot to destroy all Jews in the kingdom, he sends word to Queen Esther, urging her to use her position to save her people. Esther 4:11 is her explanation of the strict and perilous royal protocol. It underscores the absolute power of the Persian king, where even the queen could face immediate death if she entered his inner court without being summoned, unless he extended his grace by holding out the golden sceptre. The phrase "I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days" highlights her current lack of favor or access, making her potential approach even more dangerous and highlighting the King's unpredictable nature.

Key Themes

  • Absolute Royal Authority: The verse vividly portrays the life-or-death power held by King Ahasuerus. His word was law, and unauthorized access to his presence was punishable by immediate death, a stark reality in the ancient Persian court.
  • Profound Risk: Esther's words reveal the immense personal danger she faced. Her intercession was not a simple request but an act that could cost her life, emphasizing the gravity of Mordecai's request and her subsequent courageous decision.
  • Divine Providence (Implicit): While not explicitly stated in this verse, the extreme peril highlights the unseen hand of God at work. Esther's survival and success would ultimately depend on the king's unexpected favor, a testament to God's providential care for His people, as later seen in Mordecai's challenge to Esther.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "one law of his to put him to death" emphasizes the universality and strictness of this royal decree. It was a well-known and established rule, not an arbitrary whim. The "golden sceptre" (Hebrew: sharbiṭ, שַׁרְבִיט) was a symbol of the king's authority and, when extended, signified his mercy and permission for the individual to live and approach. It was the sole means of reprieve from the death sentence for unsummoned visitors.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful insights into the nature of courage and intercession. It reminds us that:

  • Courage Often Requires Risk: Esther's situation exemplifies that stepping out in faith or fulfilling a divine calling often involves significant personal risk. Her eventual declaration, "If I perish, I perish," highlights a willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause.
  • Understanding Authority: While not a direct parallel, the verse can prompt reflection on how we approach authority, both human and divine, with reverence and an understanding of established protocols.
  • Reliance on Grace: Just as Esther relied on the king's favor (the golden sceptre) for survival, believers rely on God's grace and mercy to navigate life's challenges and fulfill His purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Esther 8:4

    Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,

  • Daniel 2:9

    But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, [there is but] one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.

  • Esther 5:1

    ¶ Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on [her] royal [apparel], and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

  • Esther 5:2

    And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, [that] she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that [was] in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

  • Esther 2:14

    In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

  • Esther 6:4

    ¶ And the king said, Who [is] in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

  • Esther 1:19

    If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.