This chapter relates the mourning of Mordecai, and of the Jews in every province, on account of the edict to destroy them, Est. 4:1–3, the information Esther had of it, and what passed between her and Mordecai, through Hatach, a chamberlain, by whom he put her upon making a request to the king in…

When Mordecai perceived all that was done By the king, at the instigation of Haman, against the Jews; which he came to the knowledge of, either by some of the conflicts or by common fame, or on the sight of the edicts which were published in Shushan; though the Jews think it was made known to him…

And came even before the king’s gate Or court, that Esther might if possible be made acquainted with this dreadful calamity coming upon her people: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth: or appear in such a dress at court, where nothing was admitted to damp the pleasures…

And in every province whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came For destroying the Jews on such a day, in every place where they were to be found: there was great mourning among the Jews, and weeping, and wailing; which continued all day: and many lay in sackcloth and ashes: all…

So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her, &c.] Her maids of honour and eunuchs that attended her, which they might tell her merely as a piece of news, there being something shocking in it to tender minds; or perhaps nothing more than that Mordecai was in sackcloth; and they might…

Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her Which, according to the Targum, was Daniel [[0]]; but it is not likely that Daniel should have lived to this time; however, this officer was not only intrusted with the care of the queen by the…

So Hatach went forth to Mordecai, unto the street of the city, &c.] Where he was, in a public manner, expressing his grief and sorrow: which was before the king’s gate: that led to the royal palace.

And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him How that, for refusing to reverence Haman, he was incensed against him, and against all the Jews for his sake; and had vowed revenge on them, and had formed a scheme for the ruin of them: and of the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay…

Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them Which had now been published in the city; by which means Mordecai had had a sight of it, and had transcribed it; see to show it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her; what Haman intended against the…

And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. ] Both the case of the Jews, and the cause of it, and what he would have her do at this critical juncture.

Again Esther spake unto Hatach For there was no other way of corresponding and conversing but by an eunuch; the wives of kings being altogether under their watch and care: and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; to go unto him, and what he should say to him from her, which is as follows.

All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces do know Not only the princes and courtiers, but all the king’s subjects, the meanest of them; there is scarce a person throughout the whole empire, to whom the following law is not known; this is said, to show how notorious it was: that…

And they told to Mordecai Esther’s, words. ] The messengers she sent to him.

Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther Gave in charge to the messengers what they should say to Esther from him, by way of reply: think not with thyself that thou shall escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews; signifying that her being queen, and in the king’s palace, would be no…

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time And will not speak to the king in favour of the Jews, because of the danger she would be exposed to in doing it: then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; Mordecai seemed confident of it, that by some…

Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer. ] Which follows, and was sent by the messengers she sent the above to him.

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, &c.] To acquaint them with what follows; but not to continue in a body together, which might cause suspicion of an ill design in them; according to the latter Targum, 12,000 chosen priests were found in it; but that must be an…

So Mordecai went his way About the business he was directed to; the word used having sometimes the signification of passing over or transgressing, Jarchi interprets it of Mordecai’s transgressing the command, by fasting on a festival; the letter being written on the thirteenth of Nisan, , the next…