Esther 4:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Mordecai {H4782} told {H5046} him of all that had happened {H7136} unto him, and of the sum {H6575} of the money {H3701} that Haman {H2001} had promised {H559} to pay {H8254} to the king's {H4428} treasuries {H1595} for the Jews {H3064}, to destroy {H6} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

and Mordekhai told him everything that had happened to him and exactly how much silver Haman had promised to put in the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.

Berean Standard Bible

and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury in order to destroy the Jews.

American Standard Version

And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 4:7 marks a critical turning point in the narrative, as Mordecai, through Hatach, finally communicates the full, horrifying scope of Haman's genocidal decree to Queen Esther. This verse reveals not only the plot to annihilate all Jews throughout the Persian Empire but also Haman's willingness to pay an immense sum of money into the royal treasury to secure the king's approval for this heinous act. It is the moment the existential threat becomes fully known to the one person uniquely positioned to intercede, setting in motion the chain of events that will lead to the deliverance of God's people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Esther 4:7 is nestled within a dramatic sequence that begins with Haman's decree to destroy all Jews in [Esther 3:13](/esther/3-13 "Esther 3:13 - Haman's Decree to Destroy the Jews"). Following this, Mordecai expresses profound grief, tearing his clothes, donning sackcloth and ashes, and wailing loudly in the city square, even approaching the king's gate in his distress ([Esther 4:1](/esther/4-1 "Esther 4:1 - Mordecai's Mourning")). Queen Esther, isolated within the palace and initially unaware of the specific nature of the crisis, sends Hatach, one of her eunuchs, to inquire about Mordecai's unusual behavior ([Esther 4:4-6](/esther/4-4-6 "Esther 4:4-6 - Esther's Inquiry and Hatach's Mission")). This verse, Esther 4:7, is Mordecai's crucial response to Hatach's inquiry, serving as the conduit through which the full, terrifying truth of Haman's plot and its financial backing is conveyed to Esther, thereby initiating her direct involvement in the unfolding crisis. It directly precedes Mordecai's charge to Esther to intercede with the king ([Esther 4:8](/esther/4-8 "Esther 4:8 - Mordecai's Plea to Esther")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Esther is set during the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), a powerful Persian king (486-465 BC), whose vast empire stretched from India to Ethiopia ([Esther 1:1](/esther/1-1 "Esther 1:1 - Ahasuerus's Vast Empire")). In this autocratic monarchy, royal decrees, once issued and sealed with the king's signet ring, were irrevocable ([Esther 8:8](/esther/8-8 "Esther 8:8 - Irrevocable Royal Decrees")). This cultural reality underscores the extreme gravity of Haman's initial decree. Eunuchs like Hatach played vital roles in the Persian court, serving as trusted intermediaries and attendants within the royal harem and administration, making Hatach an ideal and secure messenger between Mordecai and Esther. Haman's offer of "ten thousand talents of silver" ([Esther 3:9](/esther/3-9 "Esther 3:9 - Haman's Offer of Silver")) was an astronomical sum, equivalent to a significant portion of the empire's annual revenue. This immense bribe highlights Haman's deep-seated malice and his calculated attempt to financially incentivize the king to approve his genocidal plan, leveraging the king's potential greed and ignorance of the true target.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Esther. Firstly, it underscores the **Gravity of the Threat** faced by the Jewish people, revealing the plot as a comprehensive, state-sanctioned extermination, not merely a localized persecution. Secondly, it highlights **Haman's Calculated Malice**, demonstrating the depth of his hatred and his willingness to use vast financial resources to achieve his wicked ends, thereby exposing the insidious nature of evil. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the theme of **Crucial Communication**, as Mordecai's clear and direct disclosure of the facts is indispensable for Esther to grasp the peril and act decisively. This act of informing is a strategic move that enables the subsequent divine orchestration. Finally, while God's name is conspicuously absent from the book, this verse subtly points to **Divine Providence** at work. Mordecai's immediate and effective communication to Esther, who is providentially positioned as queen, hints at the unseen hand of God guiding events and using human agents to bring about the deliverance of His chosen people, foreshadowing the profound question posed in [Esther 4:14](/esther/4-14 "Esther 4:14 - For Such a Time as This").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Told (Hebrew, _nagad'_):** This verb signifies "to make known, to declare, to report, to reveal." It implies a full and explicit disclosure of information, not merely a hint or a suggestion. In this context, Mordecai is not just expressing his sorrow but systematically laying out the facts of the plot, ensuring Esther receives the necessary details to comprehend the existential danger. This deliberate act of telling is crucial for initiating the counter-action.
* **Sum of the money (Hebrew, _kesef'_):** While the KJV uses "sum of the money," the underlying Hebrew word _kesef_ simply means "silver" or "money." The context, however, clearly refers to the enormous bribe of 10,000 talents of silver that Haman had promised to the king's treasuries (cf. [Esther 3:9](/esther/3-9 "Esther 3:9 - Haman's Financial Offer")). This detail is critical because it underscores Haman's extreme determination and the calculated nature of his evil; he was willing to pay an astronomical price to achieve the annihilation of the Jews, demonstrating the depth of his animosity and his confidence in the king's approval.
* **Destroy (Hebrew, _'abad'_):** This verb means "to perish, to be lost, to be destroyed, to be ruined." It conveys a sense of utter annihilation, leaving nothing remaining. The use of this word emphasizes the comprehensive and genocidal intent of Haman's decree—it was not merely to oppress or deport, but to completely wipe out the Jewish people, including "young and old, little children and women" ([Esther 3:13](/esther/3-13 "Esther 3:13 - The Scope of the Decree")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him,"**: This clause indicates that Mordecai did not merely lament but provided Hatach with a comprehensive account of the unfolding crisis. "All that had happened unto him" would encompass not only his personal distress and the public mourning but also the specific details of Haman's decree, its widespread nature, and the personal animosity Haman harbored against Mordecai that likely fueled the plot. This detailed disclosure was essential for Esther to grasp the full scope of the danger.
* **"and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews,"**: Here, Mordecai reveals the financial incentive Haman offered the king. This detail is crucial because it explains Haman's confidence in the decree's approval and highlights the calculated, mercenary aspect of his evil. The "sum of the money" (10,000 talents of silver) was a staggering amount, demonstrating Haman's extreme commitment to the destruction of the Jews and the king's potential motivation for signing the decree.
* **"to destroy them."**: This final, chilling phrase clarifies the ultimate, horrific objective of Haman's plot. It leaves no ambiguity about the genocidal intent: the complete annihilation of the Jewish people. This is the core, terrifying truth that Mordecai conveys, emphasizing the existential threat facing Esther and her entire ethnic group.

#### Literary Devices
Esther 4:7 employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident as Mordecai's detailed disclosure to Hatach directly sets the stage for Esther's heroic intervention, hinting that her unique position will be crucial for the deliverance. The mention of Haman's "sum of the money" creates a sense of **Dramatic Irony**, as the very wealth Haman offers to secure the Jews' destruction will ultimately contribute to his own downfall and the enrichment of the Jewish people and Mordecai (cf. [Esther 8:1-2](/esther/8-1-2 "Esther 8:1-2 - Haman's Estate Given to Esther and Mordecai")). The verse also builds **Suspense**, as the reader is acutely aware of the mortal danger facing the Jews, and Mordecai's communication is the first step towards a potential resolution, leaving the audience eager to see Esther's response. Finally, there is a clear **Contrast** between Haman's calculated, financially motivated evil and Mordecai's righteous indignation and strategic communication, highlighting the moral battle lines drawn in the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 4:7, though not explicitly mentioning God, powerfully illustrates the theme of divine providence at work through human agency. Mordecai's precise and timely communication is not merely a human act but a divinely guided step in the unfolding plan for Israel's preservation. It highlights that God often works through ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, using their faithfulness, courage, and discernment to achieve His purposes. The revelation of Haman's plot, including its financial dimension, underscores the insidious nature of evil and its willingness to pay a high price for destruction, but also implicitly affirms that God's plan for His people cannot ultimately be thwarted. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, when God seems hidden, His sovereign hand is at work, orchestrating events and raising up intercessors for the salvation of His people.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - God's Redemptive Purpose"): "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
* [Proverbs 24:11-12](/proverbs/24-11-12 "Proverbs 24:11-12 - Rescuing the Perishing"): "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?"
* [Nehemiah 4:14](/nehemiah/4-14 "Nehemiah 4:14 - Fighting for Family and Faith"): "And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 4:7 serves as a profound reminder of the critical importance of clear, courageous, and timely communication, especially when facing grave threats. Mordecai did not merely express his personal grief; he strategically and comprehensively conveyed the full details of the existential danger to the one person who could potentially intervene. For believers today, this underscores our responsibility to be vigilant, discerning the true nature of spiritual and societal threats, and to speak truth to power when necessary. It calls us to move beyond passive lament into active, informed engagement. Just as Haman's plot was rooted in deep-seated hatred and financially incentivized, so too does evil in our world often operate with calculated malice and significant resources. This verse encourages us to recognize that God often works through human instruments, placing us in positions "for such a time as this" ([Esther 4:14](/esther/4-14 "Esther 4:14 - For Such a Time as This")) to speak, act, and intercede. Our communication, whether in personal relationships, within the church, or in the public square, must be clear, truthful, and driven by a desire for righteousness and the protection of the vulnerable, trusting that God can use our faithfulness to bring about His redemptive purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what situations might God be calling me to communicate a difficult truth or a warning, even if it feels uncomfortable or risky?**
* **How can I cultivate discernment to recognize the true nature of threats, whether spiritual, cultural, or personal, in my own life and community?**
* **What "sum of money" or other incentives might be driving destructive forces in the world today, and how should believers respond to them?**
* **Am I willing to be a conduit of crucial information or an intercessor, like Mordecai, for those in peril, even if it requires stepping out of my comfort zone?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Haman's "sum of the money" mentioned in Esther 4:7?**

Answer: The "sum of the money" refers to the staggering 10,000 talents of silver that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries if his decree to destroy the Jews was approved ([Esther 3:9](/esther/3-9 "Esther 3:9 - Haman's Offer of 10,000 Talents")). This amount was immense, potentially equivalent to two-thirds of the Persian Empire's annual revenue. Its significance is multifaceted: firstly, it highlights the extreme depth of Haman's hatred and his willingness to pay an astronomical price to achieve the annihilation of the Jewish people. Secondly, it served as a powerful financial incentive for King Ahasuerus to approve the decree, demonstrating Haman's cunning in leveraging the king's potential greed. Thirdly, it underscores the calculated and premeditated nature of Haman's evil, showing that his plot was not a rash decision but a meticulously planned act of genocide with significant financial backing.

**Why did Mordecai communicate through Hatach instead of directly to Esther?**

Answer: Mordecai could not directly approach Queen Esther due to strict palace protocols and the hierarchical structure of the Persian court. As a man, and particularly one in mourning clothes (sackcloth and ashes), he would not have direct access to the queen's inner chambers. Hatach, as one of the king's eunuchs "appointed to attend her" ([Esther 4:5](/esther/4-5 "Esther 4:5 - Hatach's Role")), served as a trusted and authorized intermediary. He was Esther's personal attendant and messenger, allowing for secure and confidential communication between Mordecai and the queen. This indirect communication method was a practical necessity dictated by the cultural and political norms of the Persian Empire, ensuring that the critical information reached Esther without violating court etiquette or raising undue suspicion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 4:7, with Mordecai's urgent communication of the plot to destroy the Jews, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of humanity's dire predicament and the divine solution in Christ. Just as Mordecai exposed Haman's scheme to "destroy" God's people, the New Testament reveals the pervasive reality of sin and its destructive power, which leads to spiritual death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Humanity was under a death sentence, much like the Jews in Persia, with no inherent power to save itself. However, the "sum of money" Haman offered to destroy, stands in stark contrast to the immeasurable price God paid to save. The ultimate "sum" for our salvation was not silver or gold, but the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood")). Mordecai's intercession through Hatach points to Christ, our great High Priest, who constantly intercedes for us before the Father ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). He is the one who fully revealed the enemy's destructive plans and, through His sacrifice and resurrection, disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). In Christ, the ultimate Deliverer, the spiritual "Haman" (Satan) is defeated, and God's people are not merely spared from physical destruction but granted eternal life and freedom from the dominion of sin and death ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Esther 3:2

And all the king's servants, that [were] in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did [him] reverence.

Esther 3:15

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.