Bible Strands
Esther 4:5
Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs appointed to her, and she dispatched him to Mordecai to learn what was troubling him and why.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Esther acts after her attendants report Mordecai’s mourning and his refusal of her offered garments. She summons Hathach, a eunuch formally assigned to her service, and sends him to Mordecai at the king’s gate.
The words — The text records וַ/תִּקְרָא' (va./tik.Ra'), meaning "and she summoned," and לְ/פָנֶ֔י/הָ (le./fa.Nei./ha), meaning "before her," establishing the formal chain of command and Esther’s direct oversight of her attendant.
The thread — This structural concern for another’s distress aligns with 1 Corinthians 12:26 and Romans 12:15, which both frame shared suffering and mutual awareness as expected communal responses.
Why it lands — The verse demands that a leader verify the cause of another’s distress rather than assume the reason. It requires practical follow-through when symbolic gestures are rejected.
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
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 12:26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
- Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
- Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he ordered the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas—
- Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
- Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
- Esther 1:12 Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him.