Esther 4:6
What does Esther 4:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 4:6 means
Hathach meets Mordecai in the broad square before the king’s gate—public space just outside the court’s threshold. The setting underscores that the crisis is not a private grievance but a matter openly affecting the city and the empire. Mordecai remains outside, still constrained by his mourning and the court’s rules, while a royal official hears him. This arrangement ensures that accurate information can travel inward without violating protocol. The verse positions Hathach as a faithful bridge between suffering and sovereignty, ready to transmit the truth that Esther must receive to discern her duty.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So Hathach went forth to Mordecai unto the broad place of the city, which was before the king’s gate.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king’s gate.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So Hathach went forth to Mordecai unto the broad place of the city, which was before the king’s gate.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So Hathach went out and saw Mordecai in the open square of the town before the king's doorway.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Hatach goeth out unto Mordecai, unto a broad place of the city, that <FI>is<Fi> before the gate of the king,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Athach going out went to Mardochai, who was standing in the street of the city, before the palace gate:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Hatach went forth to Mordecai, unto the public place of the city which was before the king's gate.
Context
Following Esther’s commission, the narrative shows the practical connection established between Mordecai and the palace. The meeting place emphasizes both proximity to power and separation from it. This prepares for Mordecai’s detailed briefing—facts about Haman’s plot, the bribe, and the official decree—so that Esther will be equipped with evidence and a clear summons. The flow now moves from inquiry to revelation, setting up Esther’s decision point.
v.5Then called Esther for Hathach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and charged him to go to Mordecai, to know what this was, and why it was.
v.6This passage
v.7And 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 7:2
And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
- Esther 4:3
And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.