Esther 3:3
New International Version
Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?”

New Living Translation
Then the palace officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?”

English Standard Version
Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the royal servants at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the command of the king?”

King James Bible
Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

New King James Version
Then the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?”

New American Standard Bible
Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why are you violating the king’s command?”

NASB 1995
Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why are you transgressing the king’s command?”

NASB 1977
Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why are you transgressing the king’s command?”

Legacy Standard Bible
So the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you trespass against the king’s command?”

Amplified Bible
Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why are you disregarding the king’s command?”

Christian Standard Bible
The members of the royal staff at the King’s Gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The members of the royal staff at the King’s Gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?”

American Standard Version
Then the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

Contemporary English Version
When the other officials asked Mordecai why he disobeyed the king's command,

English Revised Version
Then the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the king's advisers at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why do you ignore the king's command?"

Good News Translation
The other officials in the royal service asked him why he was disobeying the king's command;

International Standard Version
The king's ministers who were in the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why are you disobeying the king's command?"

Majority Standard Bible
Then the royal servants at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the command of the king?”

NET Bible
Then the servants of the king who were at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why are you violating the king's commandment?"

New Heart English Bible
Then the king's servants, who were in the King's Gate, said to Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's commandment?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the king's servants who were in the king's gate, said to Mordecai, Why dost thou transgress the king's commandment?

World English Bible
Then the king’s servants who were in the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s commandment?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the servants of the king, who [are] in the gate of the king, say to Mordecai, “Why [are] you transgressing the command of the king?”

Young's Literal Translation
And the servants of the king, who are in the gate of the king, say to Mordecai, 'Wherefore art thou transgressing the command of the king?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king's servants that were in the king's gate will say to Mordecai, Wherefore dost thou pass by the king's Command?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king's servants that were chief at the doors of the palace, said to him: Why dost thou alone not observe the king's commandment?

Catholic Public Domain Version
The king’s servants, who presided over the doors of the palace, said to him, “Why do you, more than the others, not observe the king’s command?”

New American Bible
The king’s servants who were at the royal gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s order?”

New Revised Standard Version
Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the king's servants who were at the king's gate said to Mordecai, Why do you transgress the king's commandment?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Servants of the King were saying in the gate of the King to Murdacai: “Why do you act against the commandment of the King?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai: 'Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they in the king's palace said to Mardochaeus, Mardochaeus, why dost thou transgress the commands of the king?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Haman Plots Against the Jews
2All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage. 3Then the royal servants at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the command of the king?” 4Day after day they warned him, but he would not comply. So they reported it to Haman to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.…

Cross References
Daniel 3:12
But there are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who have ignored you, O king, and have refused to serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

Daniel 6:13
Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.”

Exodus 1:17
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live.

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Acts 4:19
But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.

Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

Matthew 22:21
“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

1 Samuel 15:24
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

Genesis 39:9
No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”

Acts 5:40-42
At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. / The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. / Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Galatians 1:10
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Colossians 3:22-24
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. / Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Ephesians 6:5-7
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. / And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. / Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men,

1 Corinthians 7:23
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.


Treasury of Scripture

Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said to Mordecai, Why transgress you the king's commandment?

Why.

Esther 3:2
And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

Exodus 1:17
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

Matthew 15:2,3
Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread…

Jump to Previous
Command Commandment Disobey Gate House King's Mordecai Mor'decai Officials Royal Servants Transgress Transgressing Wherefore
Jump to Next
Command Commandment Disobey Gate House King's Mordecai Mor'decai Officials Royal Servants Transgress Transgressing Wherefore
Esther 3
1. Haman, advanced by the king, and despised by Mordecai, seeks revenge upon the Jews.
7. He casts lots.
8. He obtains by false accusations a decree of the king to put the Jews to death.














Then the royal officials at the gate
This phrase sets the scene at the king's gate, a place of significant activity and authority in ancient Persian society. The "royal officials" were likely high-ranking servants or guards responsible for maintaining order and ensuring that the king's decrees were followed. The gate was not just a physical entryway but a symbol of power and governance, where legal matters were often addressed. In the Hebrew context, gates were places of judgment and decision-making, reflecting the importance of Mordecai's actions in defying the king's command.

asked Mordecai
Mordecai, a Jew living in exile, is a central figure in the Book of Esther. His presence at the gate suggests his role as a minor official or someone of influence, despite his Jewish identity in a foreign land. The act of asking implies a confrontation or challenge, highlighting the tension between Mordecai's faithfulness to his beliefs and the expectations of the Persian empire. This moment foreshadows the larger conflict between God's people and the forces that seek to oppress them.

'Why do you disobey the command of the king?'
This question underscores the gravity of Mordecai's actions. The "command of the king" refers to the edict that all should bow to Haman, a command Mordecai refuses to obey. In the Hebrew tradition, obedience to God takes precedence over earthly rulers, a theme echoed throughout Scripture. Mordecai's disobedience is an act of civil disobedience rooted in his faith, reminiscent of Daniel's refusal to worship the king's image. This phrase challenges believers to consider the cost of discipleship and the courage required to stand firm in one's convictions, even in the face of powerful opposition.

Verses 3, 4. - The king's servants, which were in the gate with Mordecai, were the first to observe his disrespect, and at once took up the matter. Why were they to bow down, and Mordecai not? Was he any better or any grander than they? What right had he to transgress the king's commandment? When they urged him on the point day after day, Mordecai seems at last to have explained to them what his objection was, and to have said that, as a Jew, he was precluded from prostrating himself before a man. Having heard this, they told Haman, being curious to see whether Mordecai's matters (or, rather, "words") would stand, i.e. whether his excuse would be allowed, as was that of the Spartan ambassadors who declined to bow down before Artaxerxes Longimanus (Herod., 1. s. c.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the royal
הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

servants
עַבְדֵ֥י (‘aḇ·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

at the King’s
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Gate
בְּשַׁ֥עַר (bə·ša·‘ar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

asked
וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Mordecai,
לְמָרְדֳּכָ֑י (lə·mā·rə·do·ḵāy)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4782: Mordecai -- a companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Esther

“Why
מַדּ֙וּעַ֙ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

do you
אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

disobey
עוֹבֵ֔ר (‘ō·w·ḇêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

the command
מִצְוַ֥ת (miṣ·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4687: Commandment

of the king?”
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king


Links
Esther 3:3 NIV
Esther 3:3 NLT
Esther 3:3 ESV
Esther 3:3 NASB
Esther 3:3 KJV

Esther 3:3 BibleApps.com
Esther 3:3 Biblia Paralela
Esther 3:3 Chinese Bible
Esther 3:3 French Bible
Esther 3:3 Catholic Bible

OT History: Esther 3:3 Then the king's servants who were (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 3:2
Top of Page
Top of Page