Esther 4:7
What does Esther 4:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 4:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 4:7 means
Mordecai gives Hathach a full account: the events that befell him under Haman’s wrath and, crucially, the precise amount of money Haman promised to deposit in the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. By naming the sum, Mordecai exposes the cold transaction behind the decree—human lives reduced to a financial calculation. He arms Esther with verifiable facts, not mere fears, so her eventual appeal can stand on evidence. The explanation uncovers motive (malice), method (legalized violence), and means (a bribe), preparing Esther to grasp that this is a state-sanctioned genocide requiring bold intervention.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Mordecai gave him an account of what had taken place, and of the amount of money which Haman had said he would put into the king's store for the destruction of the Jews.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Mordecai declareth to him all that hath met him, and the explanation of the money that Haman said to weigh to the treasuries of the king for the Jews, to destroy them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Mardochai told him all that had happened, how Aman had promised to pay money into the king's treasures, to have the Jews destroyed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Mordecai told him of all that had happened to him, and of the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
Context
This follows Hathach’s meeting with Mordecai and begins the content of the report that will reach Esther. Having established the scene, the narrative now provides the substance: what happened and why. The next verse will add documentary proof—the copy of the decree—and Mordecai’s explicit charge that Esther approach the king to plead for her people. These details heighten the urgency and frame Esther’s unique responsibility.
v.6So Hathach went forth to Mordecai unto the broad place of the city, which was before the king’s gate.
v.7This passage
v.8Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to show it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him, for her people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 3:2
And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed down, and did reverence to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence.