Esther 4:1

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.

2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate.

3 In every province to which the king’s command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

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
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.
KJV
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;
WEB
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.
ASV
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;
DARBY
And when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his garments, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and bitter cry,
BLB
And Mordecai knew all that had been done, and Mordecai tore his clothes, and he put on sackcloth and ashes, and he went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out [with] a cry great and bitter.
ÅB
Da Mordekai fikk vite alt som hadde hendt, sønderrev han sine klær og kledde seg i sekk og aske og gikk ut i byen under høye klagerop.
OTB
Da Mordekai fikk vite alt som var gjort, rev han klærne sine, tok på seg sekkestrie og aske, og gikk ut midt i byen, klagende høyt og bittert.
B1930
Da Mordekai fikk vite alt som hadde hendt, sønderrev han sine klær og klædde sig i sekk og aske og gikk ut i byen under høie klagerop.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Daniel 9:3

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

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 27:30–31

    They will raise their voices for you and cry out bitterly. They will throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 13:19

    And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her robe. And putting her hand on her head, she went away crying bitterly.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 1:11

    Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same.

    Read in context
  • Job 42:6

    Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes.”

    Read in context
  • Micah 1:8

    Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich.

    Read in context
  • Zephaniah 1:14

    The great Day of the LORD is near— near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter.

    Read in context
  • Acts 14:14

    But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,

    Read in context