Esther 4:1
New International Version
When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.

New Living Translation
When Mordecai learned about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail.

English Standard Version
When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry.

New American Standard Bible
When Mordecai learned of everything that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly.

NASB 1995
When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly.

NASB 1977
When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Mordecai came to know of all that had been done. And he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and cried out loudly and bitterly.

Amplified Bible
Now when Mordecai learned of everything that had been done, he tore his clothes [in mourning], and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the center of the city and cried out loudly and bitterly.

Christian Standard Bible
When Mordecai learned all that had occurred, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, went into the middle of the city, and cried loudly and bitterly.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Mordecai learned all that had occurred, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, went into the middle of the city, and cried loudly and bitterly.

American Standard Version
Now when Mordecai knew 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;

Contemporary English Version
When Mordecai heard about the letter, he tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. Then he covered his head with ashes and went through the city, crying and weeping.

English Revised Version
Now when Mordecai knew 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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Mordecai found out about everything that had been done, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went into the middle of the city and cried loudly and bitterly.

Good News Translation
When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes in anguish. Then he dressed in sackcloth, covered his head with ashes, and walked through the city, wailing loudly and bitterly,

International Standard Version
When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his garments and clothed himself in sackcloth and ashes. He went into the middle of the city and cried out with a loud and bitter cry.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Now when Mordecai became aware of all that had been done, he tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went out into the city, crying out in a loud and bitter voice.

New Heart English Bible
Now when Mordecai found out all that was done, Mordecai tore his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and wailed loudly and a bitterly.

Webster's Bible Translation
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;

World English Bible
Now when Mordecai found out all that was done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, and wailed loudly and bitterly.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Mordecai has known all that has been done, and Mordecai tears his garments, and puts on sackcloth and ashes, and goes forth into the midst of the city and cries—a cry loud and bitter,

Young's Literal Translation
And Mordecai hath known all that hath been done, and Mordecai rendeth his garments, and putteth on sackcloth and ashes, and goeth forth into the midst of the city and crieth -- a cry loud and bitter,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Mordecai knew all that was done, and Mordecai will rend his garments, and put on sackcloth and ashes, and he will go forth into the city, and he will cry out a great and bitter cry;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now when Mardochai had heard these things, he rent his garments, and put on sackcloth, strewing ashes on his head: and he cried with a loud voice in the street in the midst of the city, shewing the anguish of his mind.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When Mordecai had heard this, he tore his garments and put on sackcloth, strewing ashes on his head, and he cried out with a loud voice in the main street of the city, revealing the anguish of his soul.

New American Bible
When Mordecai learned all that was happening, he tore his garments, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city crying out loudly and bitterly,

New Revised Standard Version
When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
WHEN Mordecai learned all that was done, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, howling with a loud and bitter lamentation;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Murdacai knew everything that was done, and Murdacai ripped his clothes and he put on sackcloth, and he sprinkled himself with ashes, and he went out and cried out within the city with a great and bitter wailing.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now when Mordecai knew 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;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But Mardochaeus having perceived what was done, rent his garments, and put on sackcloth, and sprinkled dust upon himself; and having rushed forth through the open street of the city, he cried with a loud voice, A nation that has done no wrong is going to be destroyed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Mordecai Appeals to Esther
1When 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. 2But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 1:4
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Daniel 9:3
So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Joel 1:13-14
Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, because the grain and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God. / Consecrate a fast; proclaim a solemn assembly! Gather the elders and all the residents of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.

Jonah 3:5-6
And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. / When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

2 Samuel 1:11-12
Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

Genesis 37:34
Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.

Isaiah 22:12
On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.

Jeremiah 6:26
O daughter of my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as you would for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.

Ezekiel 27:31
They will shave their heads for you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and bitter mourning.

Lamentations 2:10
The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Luke 19:41
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

James 4:9
Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.

Revelation 11:3
And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”


Treasury of Scripture

When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

all that.

Esther 3:8-13
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them…

rent.

2 Samuel 1:11
Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

Job 1:20
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

Jonah 3:4-9
And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown…

with ashes.

Esther 4:3
And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

Joshua 7:6
And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.

2 Samuel 13:19
And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

and cried.

Genesis 27:34
And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.

Isaiah 15:4
And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him.

Isaiah 22:4
Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.

Jump to Previous
Ashes Bitter Bitterly City Clothes Cried Cry Crying Dust Found Garments Haircloth Head Loudly Middle Midst Mordecai Mor'decai Perceived Pulling Rendeth Rent Robe Sackcloth Tore Wailed Wailing
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Ashes Bitter Bitterly City Clothes Cried Cry Crying Dust Found Garments Haircloth Head Loudly Middle Midst Mordecai Mor'decai Perceived Pulling Rendeth Rent Robe Sackcloth Tore Wailed Wailing
Esther 4
1. The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews.
4. Esther, understanding it, sends to Mordecai,
7. who shows the cause, and advises her to undertake the suit.
10. She, excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai.
15. She, appointing a fast, undertakes the suit.














When Mordecai learned
The name "Mordecai" is of Hebrew origin, possibly derived from the Babylonian god Marduk, reflecting the Jewish diaspora's integration into Persian society. Mordecai's learning of the decree against the Jews signifies the role of divine providence in revealing critical information to God's chosen people. His awareness marks the beginning of a pivotal moment in the narrative, where human action intersects with divine will.

all that had been done
This phrase refers to the edict orchestrated by Haman to annihilate the Jewish people. Historically, this reflects the precarious position of Jews in exile, often subject to the whims of foreign rulers. Theologically, it underscores the theme of spiritual warfare and the ever-present threat against God's covenant people, reminding believers of the need for vigilance and faith.

he tore his clothes
Tearing one's clothes is a traditional Jewish expression of grief and mourning, seen throughout the Old Testament. This act symbolizes Mordecai's deep anguish and serves as a public declaration of distress. It reflects the biblical principle of lamentation as a form of prayer, inviting believers to bring their sorrows before God.

put on sackcloth and ashes
Sackcloth and ashes are ancient symbols of repentance and humility. The Hebrew word for sackcloth, "saq," denotes a coarse material, often worn during times of mourning or penitence. This act of donning sackcloth and ashes signifies Mordecai's identification with his people's suffering and his appeal to God for mercy, illustrating the power of intercessory prayer.

went out into the middle of the city
Mordecai's public display of mourning in the city center highlights the communal aspect of his grief. It serves as a call to action for the Jewish community and a witness to the broader society. This act of public lamentation challenges believers to live out their faith boldly and to stand for righteousness in the public square.

and cried out loud and bitterly
The Hebrew root for "cried out" is "za'aq," which conveys a sense of intense, urgent appeal. Mordecai's loud and bitter cry reflects the depth of his despair and the seriousness of the threat facing his people. This expression of raw emotion is a reminder of the biblical invitation to pour out one's heart before God, trusting in His ultimate justice and deliverance.

IV.

(1) Mordecai rent his clothes.--This was a common sign of sorrow among Eastern nations generally. It will be noticed that the sorrow both of Mordecai and of the Jews generally (Esther 4:3) is described by external manifestations solely. There is rending of garments, putting on of sackcloth and ashes, fasting and weeping and wailing: there is nothing said of prayer and entreaty to the God of Israel, and strong crying to Him who is able to save. Daniel and Ezra and Nehemiah are all Jews, who, like Mordecai and Esther, have to submit to the rule of the alien, though, unlike them, they, when the danger threatened, besought, and not in vain, the help of their God. (See Daniel 6:10; Ezra 8:23; Nehemiah 1:4, &c.)

Verse 1. - Mordecai rent his clothes. Compare Ezra 9:3, 5 with the comment. The meaning of the act was well understood by the Persians. Put on sackcloth with ashes. So Daniel (Daniel 9:3), and the king of Nineveh (Jonah 3:6). Either act by itself was a sign of deep grief; both combined betokened the deepest grief possible. And went out into the midst of the city. The palace was not to be saddened by private griefs (see the next verse). Mordecai, therefore, having assumed the outward signs of extreme sorrow, quitted the palace, and entered the streets of the town. There, overcome by his feelings, he vented them, as Asiatics are wont to do, in loud and piercing cries (comp. Nehemiah 5:1).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When Mordecai
וּמָרְדֳּכַ֗י (ū·mā·rə·do·ḵay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4782: Mordecai -- a companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Esther

learned of
יָדַע֙ (yā·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had happened,
נַעֲשָׂ֔ה (na·‘ă·śāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

he
מָרְדֳּכַי֙ (mā·rə·do·ḵay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4782: Mordecai -- a companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Esther

tore
וַיִּקְרַ֤ע (way·yiq·ra‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7167: To rend

his clothes,
בְּגָדָ֔יו (bə·ḡā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

put on
וַיִּלְבַּ֥שׁ (way·yil·baš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe

sackcloth
שַׂ֖ק (śaq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8242: A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag

and ashes,
וָאֵ֑פֶר (wā·’ê·p̄er)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 665: Ashes

and went out
וַיֵּצֵא֙ (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

into the middle
בְּת֣וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

of the city,
הָעִ֔יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

wailing
וַיִּזְעַ֛ק (way·yiz·‘aq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2199: To shriek, to announce, convene publicly

loudly
גְדֹלָ֖ה (ḡə·ḏō·lāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

and bitterly.
וּמָרָֽה׃ (ū·mā·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 4751: Bitter, bitterness, bitterly


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OT History: Esther 4:1 Now when Mordecai found out all that (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 3:15
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