Bible Strands
Esther 4:1
When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Mordecai acts alone in the city after learning of the events surrounding Esther’s hidden identity and Haman’s decree. He moves through the public space while wearing sackcloth and ashes as a sign of mourning.
The words — The Hebrew verb יָדַע (ya.Da') literally means "he knew," establishing Mordecai’s direct awareness of the crisis. His action of tearing his clothes uses וַ/יִּקְרַע (va/i.yik.Ra'), which denotes a violent ripping or rending of garments.
The thread — This mourning posture appears in 2 Samuel 1:11 when David tears his clothes, and in 2 Samuel 13:19 when Tamar puts ashes on her head. Daniel 9:3 similarly pairs sackcloth and ashes with prayer and fasting before God.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that public mourning is a prescribed response to imminent disaster. It requires the reader to acknowledge the physical limits of religious expression, as Mordecai stops at the king’s gate rather than entering it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
When 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;
Cross-references
- Daniel 9:3 So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
- 2 Samuel 1:11 Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same.
- 2 Samuel 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her robe. And putting her hand on her head, she went away crying aloud.
- Ezekiel 27:30 They will raise their voices for you and cry out bitterly. They will throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes.
- Job 42:6 Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes.”
- Micah 1:8 Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich.
- Zephaniah 1:14 The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter.
- Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
- Revelation 18:17 For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance
- Genesis 27:34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me too, O my father!”