Esther 3:4
What does Esther 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 3:4 means
The servants persist daily, but Mordecai remains firm. Finally, they report to Haman, seeking to test whether Mordecai’s claim will be tolerated. The note “for he had told them that he was a Jew” explains the heart of the matter: Mordecai’s identity shapes his allegiance and actions. His steadfastness forces the conflict into the open. The verse reveals how a single conscience-driven stance can expose deeper fault lines within a culture—between royal expectation and the distinctiveness of God’s people. It also shows the ordinary mechanisms by which persecution germinates: repeated pressure, public exposure, and appeal to those in power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now when they had said this to him day after day and he gave no attention, they let Haman have news of it, to see if Mordecai's behaviour would be overlooked: for he had said to them that he was a Jew.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it cometh to pass, in their speaking unto him, day by day, and he hath not hearkened unto them, that they declare <FI>it<Fi> to Haman, to see whether the words of Mordecai do stand, for he hath declared to them that he <FI>is<Fi> a Jew.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when they were saying this often, and he would not hearken to them, they told Aman, desirous to know whether he would continue in his resolution: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass as they spoke daily to him, and he hearkened not to them, that they informed Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.
Context
This verse transitions the matter from peer-level dispute to official scrutiny. After the servants’ multiple attempts fail, they involve Haman, whose reaction will determine the scale of consequences. The link to Mordecai’s Jewish identity invites the reader to anticipate more than a personal vendetta; it points to a potential clash with an entire people. The next verses (5–6) confirm that Haman’s response is not limited to Mordecai but expands into a genocidal intent.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 39:10
And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
- Daniel 6:13
Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the interdict that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
- Daniel 3:12
There are certain Jews whom thou hast appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
- Ezra 1:3
Whosoever there is among you of all his people, his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.
- Daniel 3:16
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter.
- Jonah 1:9
And he said unto them, I am a Hebrew; and I fear Jehovah, the God of heaven, who hath made the sea and the dry land.