Esther 3:4

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

Day after day they spoke to him, but he refused to listen to them. So they reported the matter to Haman to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would stand, since he had told them that he was a Jew.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וַיְהִ֗י *באמרם **כְּאָמְרָ֤ם אֵלָיו֙ י֣וֹם וָי֔וֹם וְלֹ֥א שָׁמַ֖ע אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לְהָמָ֗ן לִרְאוֹת֙ הֲיַֽעַמְדוּ֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י מָרְדֳּכַ֔י כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥יד לָהֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־ה֥וּא יְהוּדִֽי׃

Transliteration

And-wayəhî kəʾomrām to-him yôm and-yôm and-not šāmaʿ to-them and-wayyaggîdû to-hāmān to-rəʾôt ?-yaʿamdû diḇrê mordŏkay for-higgîd to-them that-he yəhûdî.

Grammar Details

• *wayəhî*: Qal imperfect with waw consecutive, 3rd masculine singular - and it was/happened
• *kəʾomrām*: preposition with Qal infinitive construct, 3rd masculine plural suffix - when they spoke
• *yôm*: noun, masculine singular - day
• *šāmaʿ*: Qal perfect, 3rd masculine singular - he listened/heeded
• *wayyaggîdû*: Hiphil imperfect with waw consecutive, 3rd masculine plural - and they told
• *rəʾôt*: Qal infinitive construct - to see
• *yaʿamdû*: Qal imperfect, 3rd masculine plural - they would stand
• *diḇrê*: noun, masculine plural construct - words of
• *mordŏkay*: proper name - Mordecai
• *higgîd*: Hiphil perfect, 3rd masculine singular - he told/declared
• *yəhûdî*: gentilic adjective, masculine singular - Jewish/Jew

Word Meanings

• *wayəhî*: and it was/happened/came to pass
• *kəʾomrām*: when they spoke/said/told
• *šāmaʿ*: listened/heeded/obeyed
• *wayyaggîdû*: told/reported/informed
• *rəʾôt*: to see/observe/find out
• *yaʿamdû*: would stand/remain/be confirmed
• *diḇrê*: words/matters/affairs
• *higgîd*: told/declared/informed

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he did not listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  And whan they spake this daylie vnto him, and he folowed them not, they tolde Aman, that they mighte se whether Mardocheus matters wolde endure: for he had tolde them, yt he was a Iewe.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And albeit they spake dayly vnto him, yet he would not heare them: therefore they tolde Haman, that they might see how Mordecais matters would stande: for he had tolde them, that he was a Iewe.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And though they spake this dayly vnto hym, yet woulde he not heare them, therfore they tolde Haman, that they might see howe Mardocheus matters woulde stande, for he had tolde them that he was a Iewe.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he [was] a Jew.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he didn't listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told those who he was a Jew.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And it cometh to pass, in their speaking unto him, day by day, and he hath not hearkened unto them, that they declare `it' to Haman, to see whether the words of Mordecai do stand, for he hath declared to them that he `is' a Jew.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. [

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Now when they had said this to him day after day and he gave no attention, they let Haman have news of it, to see if Mordecai's behaviour would be overlooked: for he had said to them that he was a Jew.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he didn't listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  And after they had spoken to him day after day without his paying any attention to them, they informed Haman to see whether this attitude on Mordecai’s part would be permitted. Furthermore, he had disclosed to them that he was a Jew.

Referenced Verses

• Gen 39:10 : 10 Though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to lie with her or even be with her.
• Ezra 1:3 : 3 Whoever among you belongs to His people, may their God be with them, and let them go up to Jerusalem, in Judah, and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel. He is the God who is in Jerusalem.
• Dan 3:8-9 : 8 At that time, some Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, 'May the king live forever!
• Dan 3:12 : 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego—whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon. These men do not pay attention to you, O king; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.
• Dan 3:16-18 : 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego replied to the king, 'Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to answer you concerning this matter. 17 If the God we serve exists, he is able to rescue us from the blazing fiery furnace and deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.'
• Dan 3:23-30 : 23 And these three men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego—fell, bound, into the middle of the blazing fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; he stood up in alarm and said to his counselors, 'Did we not throw three men, bound, into the fire?' They answered the king, 'Certainly, O king.' 25 He exclaimed, 'Look! I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!' 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the opening of the blazing fiery furnace and called out, 'Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out and come here!' So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came out of the fire. 27 The satraps, prefects, governors, and the king’s officials gathered around and saw that the fire had had no effect on the bodies of these men. Their hair was not singed, their clothes were not burned, and there was no smell of fire on them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar declared, 'Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him, defied the king’s command, and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I issue a decree that any people, nation, or language that speaks against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut into pieces and their houses reduced to rubble, for no other god can save in this way.' 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.
• Dan 6:13 : 13 So they approached the king and said, 'Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the lions’ den?' The king answered, 'The decree stands, in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.'
• Dan 6:20-28 : 20 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 21 When he approached the den, he called out to Daniel with a distressed voice. The king said to Daniel, 'Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you continually serve, been able to rescue you from the lions?' 22 Then Daniel spoke to the king, 'O king, may you live forever! 23 My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him. Also, I have committed no offense against you, O king.' 24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. Before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations, peoples, and languages who live throughout the earth: 'May your prosperity abound! 26 I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will have no end. 27 He rescues and delivers; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.' 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
• Jonah 1:9 : 9 And he answered, "I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land."