Esther 3:4

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.

3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?

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.

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Day 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.
KJV
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.
WEB
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.
ASV
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.
DARBY
And it came to pass as they spoke daily to him, and he hearkened not to them, that they informed Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.
BLB
And it came to pass, in their speaking to him day by day, and he would not listen to them. And they declared [it] to Haman, to see if the words of Mordecai would stand, for he had declared to them that he [was] a Jew.
ÅB
Og da de dag etter dag hadde sagt så til ham, og han ikke hørte på dem, så meldte de det til Haman for å se om den grunn Mordekai gav, ville bli tatt for god: for han hadde sagt dem at han var jøde.
OTB
Dag etter dag talte de til ham, men han nektet å høre. Derfor rapporterte de det til Haman for å se om Mordekais grunn ville bli tolerert, for han hadde fortalt dem at han var jøde.
B1930
Og da de dag efter dag hadde sagt så til ham, og han ikke hørte på dem, så meldte de det til Haman for å se om den grunn Mordekai gav, vilde bli tatt for god: for han hadde sagt dem at han var jøde.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 39:10

    And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 6:20–28

    And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

    Read in context
  • Jonah 1:9

    And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 6:13

    Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 3:23–30

    And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 3:12

    There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

    Read in context
  • Ezra 1:3

    Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 3:8–9

    Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

    Read in context