Esther 4:1
What does Esther 4:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 4:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 4:1 means
Mordecai, having learned the full scope and consequence of the royal decree, responds with the ancient signs of deep grief and repentance: tearing his clothes, putting on sackcloth and ashes, and crying out in public with great bitterness. This is more than personal sorrow; it is a prophetic lament that refuses to hide the reality of impending destruction. By taking his mourning into the city’s midst, Mordecai signals that the crisis concerns all, not a private matter to be managed quietly. His visible, audible grief protests injustice and seeks mercy beyond human power. He models identification with his people in their distress and calls others to recognize the emergency.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
KJV
King James Version · 1611When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now when Mordecai saw what was done, pulling off his robe, he put on haircloth, with dust on his head, and went out into the middle of the town, crying out with a loud and bitter cry.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Mordecai hath known all that hath been done, and Mordecai rendeth his garments, and putteth on sackcloth and ashes, and goeth forth into the midst of the city and crieth--a cry loud and bitter,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now when Mardochai had heard these things, he rent his garments, and put on sackcloth, strewing ashes on his head and he cried with a loud voice in the street in the midst of the city, shewing the anguish of his mind.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his garments, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and bitter cry,
Context
This verse opens the chapter immediately after the decree in chapter 3 that authorized the Jews’ destruction. The focus narrows to Mordecai’s response, setting the emotional and spiritual tone for what follows. His public lament becomes the catalyst that will draw Esther into the crisis. The narrative will now move from outside the palace to inside, showing how Mordecai’s mourning compels inquiry, communication with Esther, and a search for remedy. His grief initiates the chain of messages that culminates in Esther’s courageous decision.
v.1This passage
v.2and he came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter within the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 21:6
Sigh therefore, thou son of man; with the breaking of thy loins and with bitterness shalt thou sigh before their eyes.
- Joshua 7:6
And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of Jehovah until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust upon their heads.
- Job 42:6
Wherefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.
- Ezekiel 27:30
and shall cause their voice to be heard over thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads; they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:
- Genesis 27:34
When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceeding great and bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.
- Jonah 3:4
And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.