Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 VersionAnd 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 BibleAnd 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 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 BibleThen 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 1917Then 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 WhereforeJump to Next Command Commandment Disobey Gate House King's Mordecai Mor'decai Officials Royal Servants Transgress Transgressing WhereforeEsther 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 servants at the king’s gate The setting at the king's gate indicates a place of official business and judgment in the Persian Empire, similar to city gates in ancient Israel where elders and leaders would gather. This location underscores the importance of the events, as it was a hub for political and social activity. The "royal servants" were likely officials or guards who maintained order and ensured the king's decrees were followed. This setting highlights the tension between Mordecai's Jewish identity and his role within the Persian administration. asked Mordecai “Why do you disobey the command of the king?” Persons / Places / Events 1. MordecaiA Jew living in Persia, Mordecai is a key figure in the Book of Esther. He is known for his steadfast faith and refusal to bow to Haman, which sets the stage for the events in Esther 3:3. 2. Royal Servants These are the king's officials stationed at the gate. They question Mordecai's actions, highlighting the tension between cultural obedience and personal conviction. 3. King’s Gate A significant location in the Persian Empire, the king's gate is where official business and legal matters are conducted. It is a place of authority and decision-making. 4. The King Referring to King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), the ruler of the Persian Empire, whose decree is being disobeyed by Mordecai. 5. Haman Though not directly mentioned in this verse, Haman's decree is the reason for the royal servants' question. He is an antagonist in the account, seeking to destroy the Jews. Teaching Points Faithfulness Over ConformityMordecai's refusal to bow to Haman is a powerful example of prioritizing faithfulness to God over societal pressures. Believers are called to stand firm in their convictions, even when it is unpopular or risky. Courage in the Face of Opposition The courage displayed by Mordecai serves as an inspiration for Christians to remain steadfast in their beliefs, trusting that God is sovereign over all circumstances. The Cost of Disobedience Mordecai's actions remind us that there can be significant consequences for choosing to obey God over man. It is essential to weigh these costs and be prepared to face them with faith. The Role of Community The questioning by the royal servants highlights the importance of community in holding individuals accountable. Believers should surround themselves with a community that encourages faithfulness to God. Divine Providence The unfolding events in Esther demonstrate God's providence. Even when His name is not mentioned, His hand is at work, orchestrating events for His purposes.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 royalהַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (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 NIVEsther 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. 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