Esther 4:6

Authorized King James Version

So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּצֵ֥א
went forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
הֲתָ֖ךְ
So Hatach
hathak, a persian eunuch
#3
אֶֽל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
מָרְדֳּכָ֑י
to Mordecai
mordecai, an israelite
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
רְח֣וֹב
unto the street
a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area
#7
הָעִ֔יר
of the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#8
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
לִפְנֵ֥י
which was before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#10
שַֽׁעַר
gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#11
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
the king's
a king

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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