CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Esther 7:4 For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/esther/7-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/17_Est_07_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Esther 7:4 - Esther Pleads for Her People" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/esther/7-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/esther/7-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/esther/">Esther</a> > <a href="/esther/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/esther/7-3.htm" title="Esther 7:3">◄</a> Esther 7:4 <a href="/esther/7-5.htm" title="Esther 7:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/esther/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/esther/7.htm">New International Version</a> For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/esther/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> For my people and I have been sold to those who would kill, slaughter, and annihilate us. If we had merely been sold as slaves, I could remain quiet, for that would be too trivial a matter to warrant disturbing the king.” <a href="/esv/esther/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” <a href="/bsb/esther/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king.” <a href="/kjv/esther/7.htm">King James Bible</a> For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. <a href="/nkjv/esther/7.htm">New King James Version</a> For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king’s loss.” <a href="/nasb_/esther/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, and eliminated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have kept silent, because the distress would not be sufficient reason to burden the king.” <a href="/nasb/esther/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for the trouble would not be commensurate with the annoyance to the king.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/esther/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for the trouble would not be commensurate with the annoyance to the king.” <a href="/lsb/esther/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be caused to perish. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for the adversity would not be worth the annoyance to the king.” <a href="/amp/esther/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed and wiped out of existence. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for our hardship would not be sufficient to burden the king [by even mentioning it].” <a href="/csb/esther/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For my people and I have been sold to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept silent. Indeed, the trouble wouldn’t be worth burdening the king.” <a href="/hcsb/esther/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and extermination. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept silent. Indeed, the trouble wouldn&#8217t be worth burdening the king.&#8221 <a href="/asv/esther/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king's damage. <a href="/cev/esther/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> because a reward has been promised to anyone who kills my people. Your Majesty, if we were merely going to be sold as slaves, I would not have bothered you." <a href="/erv/esther/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king's damage. <a href="/gwt/esther/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You see, we-my people and I-have been sold so that we can be wiped out, killed, and destroyed. If our men and women had only been sold as slaves, I would have kept silent because the enemy is not worth troubling you about, Your Majesty." <a href="/gnt/esther/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> My people and I have been sold for slaughter. If it were nothing more serious than being sold into slavery, I would have kept quiet and not bothered you about it; but we are about to be destroyed--exterminated!" <a href="/isv/esther/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> Indeed, I and my people have been sold to be annihilated, killed, and destroyed. If we had just been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because the trouble wouldn't have been sufficient to bother the king." <a href="/msb/esther/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king.” <a href="/net/esther/7.htm">NET Bible</a> For we have been sold--both I and my people--to destruction and to slaughter and to annihilation! If we had simply been sold as male and female slaves, I would have remained silent, for such distress would not have been sufficient for troubling the king." <a href="/nheb/esther/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondservants and bondmaids, I would have held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king's loss." <a href="/wbt/esther/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bond-men and bond-women, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. <a href="/web/esther/7.htm">World English Bible</a> For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for male and female slaves, I would have held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king’s loss.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/esther/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for we have been sold, I and my people, to cut off, to slay, and to destroy; and if for menservants and for maidservants we had been sold I had kept silent—but the adversity is not equal to the loss of the king.” <a href="/ylt/esther/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for we have been sold, I and my people, to cut off, to slay, and to destroy; and if for men-servants and for maid-servants we had been sold I had kept silent -- but the adversity is not equal to the loss of the king.' <a href="/slt/esther/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For we were sold, I and my people, to cut off, to kill and to destroy. And if for servants and for maids we were sold, I was silent, but the enemy made not even for the loss of the king.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/esther/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For we are given up, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. And would God we were sold for bondmen and bondwomen: the evil might be borne with, and I would have mourned in silence: but now we have an enemy, whose cruelty redoundeth upon the king. <a href="/cpdv/esther/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 11:4>For I and my people have been handed over to be crushed, to be slain, and to perish. And if we were only being sold as servants and slaves, the evil might be tolerable, and I would have mourned in silence. But now our enemy is one whose cruelty overflows upon the king.” <a href="/nabre/esther/7.htm">New American Bible</a> For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated. If we were only to be sold into slavery I would remain silent, for then our distress would not have been worth troubling the king.” <a href="/nrsvce/esther/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have held my peace; but no enemy can compensate for this damage to the king.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/esther/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For we are sold, I and my people, to be slain, to be put to the sword, and to perish. But if we had been sold merely as bondmen and bondwomen, I would have held my tongue, but the enemy would not hesitate to cause damage to the king. <a href="/hpbt/esther/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Because we have been sold, I and my people, for slaughter, and for the sword and to destruction, and if it is that we would be purchased and we were sold as Servants and Maids, I would have been quiet, but the enemy does not cease to do harm to the King!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/esther/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my peace, for the adversary is not worthy that the king be endamaged.' <a href="/sep/esther/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> For both I and my people are sold for destruction, and pillage, and slavery; both we and our children for bondmen and bondwomen: and I consented not to it, for the slanderer is not worthy of the king's palace. <a href="/parallel/esther/7-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRosJDhNG-8?start=1366" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/esther/7.htm">Esther Pleads for Her People</a> …3Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request. 4<a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: wə·‘am·mî (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">my people</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">and I</a> <a href="/hebrew/4376.htm" title="4376: nim·kar·nū (V-Nifal-Perf-1cp) -- To sell. A primitive root; to sell, literally, or figuratively.">have been sold out</a> <a href="/hebrew/8045.htm" title="8045: lə·haš·mîḏ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be exterminated or destroyed. A primitive root; to desolate.">to destruction,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: la·hă·rō·wḡ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">death,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6.htm" title="6: ū·lə·’ab·bêḏ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To perish. A primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. Lose oneself; by implication to perish.">and annihilation.</a> <a href="/hebrew/432.htm" title="432: wə·’il·lū (Conj) -- If, though. Probably from 'al; nay, i.e. if.">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/4376.htm" title="4376: nim·kar·nū (V-Nifal-Perf-1cp) -- To sell. A primitive root; to sell, literally, or figuratively.">we had merely been sold</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">as menservants</a> <a href="/hebrew/8198.htm" title="8198: wə·liš·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-fp) -- Maid, maidservant. Feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out; a female slave.">and maidservants,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2790.htm" title="2790: he·ḥĕ·raš·tî (V-Hifil-Perf-1cs) -- To cut in, engrave, plow, devise.">I would have remained silent,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/6862.htm" title="6862: haṣ·ṣār (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent. Or tsar; from tsarar; narrow; a tight place; also a pebble; an opponent.">such distress</a> <a href="/hebrew/7737.htm" title="7737: šō·weh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to level, i.e. Equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust.">would justify</a> <a href="/hebrew/5143.htm" title="5143: bə·nê·zeq (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Injury, damage. From an unused root meaning to injure; loss.">burdening</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king.”</a> 5Then King Xerxes spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/1-16.htm">Exodus 1:16-22</a> “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.” / The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live. / So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?” ... <a href="/deuteronomy/28-63.htm">Deuteronomy 28:63</a> Just as it pleased the LORD to make you prosper and multiply, so also it will please Him to annihilate you and destroy you. And you will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess. <a href="/1_samuel/26-19.htm">1 Samuel 26:19</a> Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ <a href="/2_kings/21-14.htm">2 Kings 21:14</a> So I will forsake the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hands of their enemies. And they will become plunder and spoil to all their enemies, <a href="/nehemiah/9-27.htm">Nehemiah 9:27</a> So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies. <a href="/psalms/44-12.htm">Psalm 44:12</a> You sell Your people for nothing; no profit do You gain from their sale. <a href="/psalms/83-4.htm">Psalm 83:4</a> saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.” <a href="/isaiah/10-7.htm">Isaiah 10:7</a> But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations. <a href="/jeremiah/15-13.htm">Jeremiah 15:13</a> Your wealth and your treasures I will give up as plunder, without charge for all your sins within all your borders. <a href="/jeremiah/18-23.htm">Jeremiah 18:23</a> But You, O LORD, know all their deadly plots against me. Do not wipe out their guilt or blot out their sin from Your sight. Let them be overthrown before You; deal with them in the time of Your anger. <a href="/lamentations/3-34.htm">Lamentations 3:34-36</a> To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land, / to deny a man justice before the Most High, / to subvert a man in his lawsuit—of these the Lord does not approve. <a href="/daniel/3-29.htm">Daniel 3:29</a> Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be cut into pieces and their houses reduced to rubble. For there is no other god who can deliver in this way.” <a href="/matthew/27-3.htm">Matthew 27:3-4</a> When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” <a href="/luke/22-3.htm">Luke 22:3-6</a> Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ... <a href="/john/11-50.htm">John 11:50</a> You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for slaves and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.we are sold.<a href="/esther/3-9.htm">Esther 3:9</a> If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.<a href="/esther/4-7.htm">Esther 4:7,8</a> And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them… <a href="/deuteronomy/28-68.htm">Deuteronomy 28:68</a> And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.to be destroyed, etc.<a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13</a> And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.<a href="/esther/8-11.htm">Esther 8:11</a> Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,<a href="/psalms/44-22.htm">Psalm 44:22,23</a> Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter… But if we.<a href="/genesis/37-26.htm">Genesis 37:26-28</a> And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? … <a href="/deuteronomy/28-68.htm">Deuteronomy 28:68</a> And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.<a href="/joshua/9-23.htm">Joshua 9:23</a> Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.the enemy.<a href="/esther/7-6.htm">Esther 7:6</a> And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.<a href="/esther/3-9.htm">Esther 3:9</a> If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/3-10.htm">Adversary</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-17.htm">Although</a> <a href="/acts/5-36.htm">Annihilated</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Annihilation</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-10.htm">Bondmaids</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-36.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-10.htm">Bond-Men</a> <a href="/ezra/9-9.htm">Bondservants</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-10.htm">Bondwomen</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-10.htm">Bond-Women</a> <a href="/ezra/10-8.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/ezra/4-22.htm">Damage</a> <a href="/esther/4-11.htm">Death</a> <a href="/esther/4-14.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/esther/4-7.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/esther/4-4.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/galatians/5-10.htm">Disturbing</a> <a href="/esther/3-10.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-67.htm">Female</a> <a href="/esther/5-2.htm">Held</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-1.htm">Justify</a> <a href="/esther/6-2.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-26.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/esther/7-3.htm">King's</a> <a href="/ezra/4-22.htm">Loss</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-67.htm">Male</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-67.htm">Men-Servants</a> <a href="/esther/4-14.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/esther/4-16.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-23.htm">Price</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-11.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/esther/4-14.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-26.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/ezra/6-20.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-36.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-16.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-18.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/esther/4-11.htm">Women</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-67.htm">Women-Servants</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-25.htm">Worthy</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/esther/7-6.htm">Adversary</a> <a href="/job/2-3.htm">Although</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-16.htm">Annihilated</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Annihilation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Bondmaids</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-14.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-13.htm">Bond-Men</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-14.htm">Bondservants</a> <a href="/acts/2-18.htm">Bondwomen</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-68.htm">Bond-Women</a> <a href="/job/4-7.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/psalms/35-4.htm">Damage</a> <a href="/esther/7-10.htm">Death</a> <a href="/esther/9-6.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/esther/8-6.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/job/7-11.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/acts/16-20.htm">Disturbing</a> <a href="/esther/7-6.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/job/1-3.htm">Female</a> <a href="/esther/8-4.htm">Held</a> <a href="/job/9-20.htm">Justify</a> <a href="/esther/9-28.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/esther/9-6.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/esther/7-8.htm">King's</a> <a href="/job/5-24.htm">Loss</a> <a href="/job/31-13.htm">Male</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Men-Servants</a> <a href="/esther/9-30.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/esther/8-11.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/job/28-13.htm">Price</a> <a href="/job/3-13.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/job/6-17.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/esther/9-6.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/esther/9-5.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/job/31-13.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/psalms/44-12.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/job/5-21.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/job/2-10.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/esther/8-11.htm">Women</a> <a href="/job/19-15.htm">Women-Servants</a> <a href="/job/28-18.htm">Worthy</a><div class="vheading2">Esther 7</div>1. <a href="/esther/7-1.htm">Esther, entertaining the king and Haman, pleads for her own life, and her people's.</a> 5. <a href="/esther/7-5.htm">She accuses Haman.</a> 7. <a href="/esther/7-7.htm">The king in his anger, understanding of the gallows Haman had made for Mordecai, </a> 10. <a href="/esther/7-10.htm">causes Haman to be hanged thereon.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/esther/7.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>For we have been sold This phrase indicates a transaction, suggesting betrayal and commodification. In the Hebrew context, the word "sold" (מָכַר, makhar) often implies being given over to the power of another. Historically, this reflects the vulnerability of the Jewish people in exile, subject to the whims of foreign rulers. Esther's use of this term underscores the gravity of Haman's plot, equating it to a sale of human lives, which is a profound violation of their dignity and covenant identity as God's chosen people.I and my people Esther identifies herself with her people, the Jews, showing solidarity and shared fate. This phrase emphasizes her role as an intercessor, a type of Christ figure, who stands in the gap for her people. Theologically, it reflects the biblical theme of identification and advocacy, where leaders are called to bear the burdens of their communities. Esther's courage in revealing her identity is a pivotal moment, highlighting the importance of standing with one's community in times of crisis.to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated The repetition of these terms intensifies the threat against the Jews, echoing the language of the edict issued by Haman (<a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Esther 3:13</a>). The Hebrew words used here (לְהַשְׁמִיד, l'hashmid; לַהֲרֹג, laharog; וּלְאַבֵּד, ul'abed) convey a comprehensive destruction, leaving no room for survival. This triad of terms underscores the severity of the decree and the existential threat faced by the Jewish people. It also serves as a reminder of the historical attempts to eradicate God's people, which are ultimately thwarted by divine intervention.If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves Esther contrasts the current threat with the lesser evil of slavery. The mention of "male and female slaves" (עֲבָדִים וּשְׁפָחוֹת, avadim u'shfachot) reflects the social realities of the ancient Near East, where slavery was a common fate for conquered peoples. By stating that she would have remained silent if this were the case, Esther highlights the extreme nature of the threat they face. This comparison serves to magnify the injustice of Haman's plot and the urgency of her plea to the king.I would have remained silent Esther's hypothetical silence in the face of slavery suggests a willingness to endure personal hardship for the sake of peace. However, the threat of annihilation compels her to speak out. This phrase reflects the biblical principle of speaking truth to power and the moral imperative to act against injustice. Esther's decision to break her silence is a powerful example of courage and faith, inspiring believers to advocate for righteousness even at great personal risk.for such distress would not be worth the burden to the king Esther appeals to the king's self-interest, suggesting that the annihilation of the Jews would bring unnecessary trouble to his reign. The word "distress" (צָרָה, tzara) conveys a sense of calamity or disaster. By framing her argument in terms of the king's burden, Esther wisely navigates the political landscape, aligning her people's survival with the king's well-being. This strategic approach reflects the biblical theme of wisdom and discernment in leadership, encouraging believers to seek God's guidance in complex situations.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/esther/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) We are sold.--See above, <a href="/esther/3-9.htm" title="If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.">Esther 3:9</a>.To be destroyed. . . .--Literally, to destroy and to kill, and to cause to perish. The identical words used in the king's proclamation for the destruction of the Jews. Herein Esther at once makes confession of her nationality, and relying on the king's still recent gratitude to one of the race, aided by his present cordiality to herself, she risks, as indeed she can no longer help doing, the fate of herself and her race on the momentary impulse of her fickle lord. Happily for her, God has willed that these, perhaps at any other time untrustworthy grounds of reliance, shall suffice. The "hearts of kings are in His rule and governance," and now the heart of one is "disposed and turned, as it seemeth best to His godly wisdom."Although the enemy. . . .--The meaning of this clause is not quite clear. The literal translation is, although (or because) the enemy is not equal to (i.e., does not make up for) the king's hurt. This may mean (a) that Haman, though willing to pay a large sum into the royal treasury, cannot thereby make up for the loss which the king must incur by wholesale massacre being carried on in his realm; or (b) "were we merely to be sold into slavery, instead of being killed outright, I should have said nothing, because the enemy was not one worth the king's while to trouble himself about." We prefer the former view. The word "enemy" is that translated adversary, in <a href="/esther/7-6.htm" title="And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.">Esther 7:6</a>, and properly means one who oppresses, afflicts, distresses. The word which is, literally, equal to, comparable with, has already occurred in <a href="/esther/3-8.htm" title="And Haman said to king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your 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.">Esther 3:8</a>; <a href="/esther/5-13.htm" title="Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.">Esther 5:13</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/esther/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - For we are sold, I and my people. Haman has paid our price, has given ten thousand talents for us, and you, O king, have sold us to him. The reproach is covert, but clearly contained in the words; and so the king must have understood Esther. To be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. The use of three synonyms for one and the same thing is not mere verbiage, but very expressive. "We are sold, all of us, to be overwhelmed in one universal, promiscuous, unsparing destruction." Although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. "Although, even in that case, the enemy (Haman) could not (by the payment that he has made) compensate the king for the damage that he would suffer by losing so many subjects." So Gesenius, Rambach, Dathe, and others. But it is simpler, and Perhaps better, to understand the passage as Bertheau does: "for the enemy (Haman) is not worthy to vex the king," or "is not worth vexing the king about." <a href="/commentaries/esther/7-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>For כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction my people וְעַמִּ֔י (wə·‘am·mî) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock and I אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I have been sold out נִמְכַּ֙רְנוּ֙ (nim·kar·nū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4376.htm">Strong's 4376: </a> To sell to destruction, לְהַשְׁמִ֖יד (lə·haš·mîḏ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8045.htm">Strong's 8045: </a> To be exterminated or destroyed death, לַהֲר֣וֹג (la·hă·rō·wḡ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> To smite with deadly intent and annihilation. וּלְאַבֵּ֑ד (ū·lə·’ab·bêḏ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6.htm">Strong's 6: </a> To wander away, lose oneself, to perish If וְ֠אִלּוּ (wə·’il·lū) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_432.htm">Strong's 432: </a> If, though we had merely been sold נִמְכַּ֙רְנוּ֙ (nim·kar·nū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4376.htm">Strong's 4376: </a> To sell as menservants לַעֲבָדִ֨ים (la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant and maidservants, וְלִשְׁפָח֤וֹת (wə·liš·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8198.htm">Strong's 8198: </a> Maid, maidservant I would have held my peace, הֶחֱרַ֔שְׁתִּי (he·ḥĕ·raš·tî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2790.htm">Strong's 2790: </a> To cut in, engrave, plow, devise because כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction no אֵ֥ין (’ên) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle such distress הַצָּ֛ר (haṣ·ṣār) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6862.htm">Strong's 6862: </a> Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent would justify שֹׁוֶ֖ה (šō·weh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7737.htm">Strong's 7737: </a> To level, equalize, to resemble, to adjust burdening בְּנֵ֥זֶק (bə·nê·zeq) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5143.htm">Strong's 5143: </a> Injury, damage the king.” הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/esther/7-4.htm">Esther 7:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/esther/7-4.htm">Esther 7:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/esther/7-4.htm">Esther 7:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/esther/7-4.htm">Esther 7:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/esther/7-4.htm">Esther 7:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/esther/7-4.htm">Esther 7:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/esther/7-4.htm">Esther 7:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/esther/7-4.htm">Esther 7:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/esther/7-4.htm">Esther 7:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/esther/7-4.htm">Esther 7:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/esther/7-4.htm">OT History: Esther 7:4 For we are sold I and my (Est Esth. Es) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/esther/7-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Esther 7:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Esther 7:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/esther/7-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Esther 7:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Esther 7:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>