Esther 4:13

Authorized King James Version

Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר

H559

commanded

to say (used with great latitude)

מָרְדֳּכַ֖י

H4782

Then Mordecai

mordecai, an israelite

לְהָשִׁ֣יב

H7725

to answer

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶסְתֵּ֑ר

H635

Esther

ester, the jewish heroine

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תְּדַמִּ֣י

H1819

Think

to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider

בְנַפְשֵׁ֔ךְ

H5315

not with thyself

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לְהִמָּלֵ֥ט

H4422

that thou shalt escape

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

#10

בֵּית

H1004

house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#11

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ

H4428

in the king's

a king

#12

מִכָּל

H3605

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

#13

הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃

H3064

more than all the Jews

a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Esther, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Esther.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Esther Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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