Esther 9:4
What does Esther 9:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 9:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 9:4 means
Mordecai’s stature at court continues to rise. His name and reputation spread across the empire, and he “waxed greater and greater.” This shows that the favor granted him was not a brief moment but an expanding influence felt in distant provinces. Such prominence explains the fear of displeasing him—and by implication the king—thus encouraging widespread support for Jewish defense. Though the book often hides the divine name, readers see providence: the man who once sat at the gate now shapes imperial outcomes. Mordecai’s greatness becomes a shield for his people, ensuring that official channels back their survival.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and word of him went out through every part of the kingdom: for the man Mordecai became greater and greater.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for great <FI>is<Fi> Mordecai in the house of the king, and his fame is going into all the provinces, for the man Mordecai is going on and becoming great.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For they knew him to be prince of the palace, and to have great power: and the fame of his name increased daily, and was spread abroad through all men's mouths.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went forth throughout the provinces; for the man Mordecai became continually greater.
Context
This verse affirms the foundation for the cooperation described in verse 3. It ties the Jews’ safety to Mordecai’s authority and reputation. With that context, verse 5 moves from the political atmosphere to the actual conflict and its results. The author wants readers to grasp that the Jews’ success is not random violence but the fruit of lawful empowerment and a reordered political landscape, centered on Mordecai’s rise after Haman’s fall. The coming verses will demonstrate how this translated into concrete victories, both in the capital and across the empire.
v.3And all the princes of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors, and they that did the king’s business, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai was fallen upon them.
v.4This passage
v.5And the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they would unto them that hated them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 14:17
And the fame of David went out into all lands; and Jehovah brought the fear of him upon all nations.
- Matthew 4:24
And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed with demons, and epileptic, and palsied; and he healed them.
- 1 Chronicles 11:9
And David waxed greater and greater; for Jehovah of hosts was with him.
- Zephaniah 3:19
Behold, at that time I will deal with all them that afflict thee; and I will save that which is lame, and gather that which was driven away; and I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame hath been in all the earth.
- Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.
- 2 Samuel 3:1
Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: and David waxed stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.