Esther 4:11

Authorized King James Version

All 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 of his to put him to death, except such 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עַבְדֵ֣י

H5650

servants

a servant

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ

H4428

All the king's

a king

וְעַם

H5971

and the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מְדִינ֨וֹת

H4082

provinces

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ

H4428

All the king's

a king

יֽוֹדְעִ֗ים

H3045

do know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#10

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

that whosoever whether man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#11

וְאִשָּׁ֡ה

H802

or woman

a woman

#12

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#13

לָב֣וֹא

H935

shall come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#14

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#15

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ

H4428

All the king's

a king

#16

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#17

הֶֽחָצֵ֨ר

H2691

court

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

#18

הַפְּנִימִ֜ית

H6442

into the inner

interior

#19

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#20

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#21

נִקְרֵ֙אתִי֙

H7121

but I have not been called

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

#22

אַחַ֤ת

H259

there is one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#23

דָּתוֹ֙

H1881

law

a royal edict or statute

#24

לְהָמִ֔ית

H4191

of his to put him to death

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#25

לְ֠בַד

H905

except

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

#26

מֵֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#27

יֽוֹשִׁיט

H3447

shall hold out

to extend

#28

ל֥וֹ

#29

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ

H4428

All the king's

a king

#30

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#31

שַׁרְבִ֥יט

H8275

sceptre

a rod of empire

#32

הַזָּהָ֖ב

H2091

the golden

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

#33

וְחָיָ֑ה

H2421

that he may live

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

#34

וַֽאֲנִ֗י

H589

#35

לֹ֤א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#36

נִקְרֵ֙אתִי֙

H7121

but I have not been called

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

#37

לָב֣וֹא

H935

shall come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#38

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#39

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ

H4428

All the king's

a king

#40

זֶ֖ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#41

שְׁלוֹשִׁ֥ים

H7970

these thirty

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

#42

יֽוֹם׃

H3117

days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Esther. The concept of covenant community reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on covenant community address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding covenant community in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

Related Resources

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