Esther 4:13
What does Esther 4:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 4:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 4:13 means
Mordecai answers with sober clarity: Esther must not imagine that her royal status will spare her while the rest of the Jews perish. The decree’s reach is universal; concealment offers no certain safety. He dispels the illusion that neutrality or distance can deliver. Privilege without purpose becomes a snare. Mordecai’s warning presses Esther to acknowledge her inescapable solidarity with her people and to reject self-preserving silence. His words cut through fear by confronting false hopes, preparing her to hear the deeper call of providence that will follow and to accept the cost of faithful identification with the threatened community.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Mordecai sent this answer back to Esther: Do not have the idea that you in the king's house will be safe from the fate of all the Jews.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Mordecai speaketh to send back unto Esther: `Do not think in thy soul to be delivered <FI>in<Fi> the house of the king, more than all the Jews,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He sent word to Esther again, saying: Think not that thou mayst save thy life only, because thou art in the king's house, more than all the Jews:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Mordecai bade to answer Esther: Imagine not in thy heart that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
Context
Responding to Esther’s statement of danger, Mordecai first dismantles her sense of security in the palace. This negative warning sets up the positive call in the next verse. By eliminating the option of safe passivity, he drives her to consider active obedience. The famous exhortation of verse 14 will ground this in confidence that deliverance will arise and in the suggestion that Esther’s role is divinely timed, pushing the narrative toward her courageous decision.
v.12And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.
v.13This passage
v.14For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father’s house will perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 24:10
If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.
- Philippians 2:30
because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
- Hebrews 12:3
For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.
- John 12:25
He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.