Esther 4:5

Authorized King James Version

Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתִּקְרָא֩
Then called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#2
אֶסְתֵּ֨ר
Esther
ester, the jewish heroine
#3
לַֽהֲתָ֜ךְ
for Hatach
hathak, a persian eunuch
#4
מִסָּֽרִיסֵ֤י
chamberlains
a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state
#5
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙
one of the king's
a king
#6
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
הֶֽעֱמִ֣יד
whom he had appointed
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#8
לְפָנֶ֔יהָ
to attend
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#9
וַתְּצַוֵּ֖הוּ
upon her and gave him a commandment
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#10
עַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
מָרְדֳּכָ֑י
to Mordecai
mordecai, an israelite
#12
לָדַ֥עַת
to know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#13
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#14
זֶּ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#15
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#17
זֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Esther. The concept of divine revelation 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

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