Esther 4:10
What does Esther 4:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 4:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 4:10 means
Esther answers through Hathach, signaling a measured, respectful reply to Mordecai’s summons. She does not dismiss his plea but prepares to state the legal constraints she faces. Using the intermediary, she stays within protocol even as she contemplates breaking it for a higher cause. This moment captures the weight of deliberation: Esther listens, considers, and forms a reasoned response. Her reply shows neither cowardice nor rashness, but a sober assessment of danger before action. It is the pause before courage, where the cost is counted and the stakes are named.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then Esther spake unto Hathach, and gave him a message unto Mordecai, saying:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then Esther spake unto Hathach, and gave him a message unto Mordecai, saying:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Esther sent Hathach to say to Mordecai:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Esther speaketh to Hatach, and chargeth him for Mordecai:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752She answered him, and bade him say to Mardochai:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Esther spoke to Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai:
Context
After receiving the decree and Mordecai’s charge, Esther begins her reply. The narrative remains within the pattern of mediated communication, increasing tension through deliberate pacing. Her next words will lay out the law of the inner court that threatens immediate death to the uninvited, as well as the telling detail that she has not seen the king for thirty days. This sets up Mordecai’s penetrating exhortation.
v.9And Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
v.10This passage
v.11All 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.