Esther 4:3 Meaning
And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Context Explained
1When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
2And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
3And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
5Then 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.
Key Themes
Related Cross References
Matthew 5:4
Both verses address the theme of mourning and the comfort that follows, resonating with Jesus' teachings.
2 Corinthians 1:4
This verse speaks of God comforting us in our troubles, paralleling the Jews' mourning in Esther.
James 4:9
This verse encourages believers to mourn and grieve over sin, similar to the Jews' response to their plight.
Source: Esther 4:3