Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

ESTHER 4:13KJV
Know the Bible

Esther 4:13 (KJV)

What does Esther 4:13 mean?

Esther 4:13 records Mordecai sending a message to Esther, warning her not to think she will be safe from danger just because she is in the king’s palace, while the rest of the Jewish people are threatened. Mordecai is telling Esther that her royal position will not protect her from the decree against the Jews.

Mordecai is speaking to Esther through messengers, after learning of a royal order to destroy the Jews. He urges her to recognize that her identity as a Jew connects her fate to that of her people, no matter her status as queen. This verse sets up the tension for Esther’s decision about whether to risk her own safety to help her people.

The Hebrew behind Esther 4:13

  • "Think" (דִּמִּי, dimmi): This word means to imagine or suppose. Mordecai is challenging Esther’s assumption that she could remain unaffected by the crisis.
  • "Thyself" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh): Often translated as "soul" or "self," this word emphasizes Esther’s personal stake and inner reasoning.
  • "Escape" (מָלַט, malat): This verb means to slip away or be delivered. Mordecai is making it clear that Esther should not expect to be spared simply because of her location or status.

Why Esther 4:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Esther’s royal position does not exempt her from the dangers facing her people, countering any false sense of security.
  • Mordecai’s words highlight the importance of identity and solidarity, showing that Esther cannot separate her fate from that of the Jewish community.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic turning point in the story, where Esther must decide whether to act courageously on behalf of her people.

Where else these words appear

“Think” Hebrew H1819 · used in 27 verses

  • Numbers 33:56 Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.
  • Song of Solomon 1:9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
  • Isaiah 40:18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

“Esther” Hebrew H635 · used in 45 verses

  • Esther 2:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
  • Esther 4:10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
  • Esther 7:3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

“Mordecai” Hebrew H4782 · used in 52 verses

  • Ezra 2:2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
  • Esther 4:4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
  • Esther 6:12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

“Jews” Hebrew H3064 · used in 70 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.
  • Esther 6:13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
  • Esther 9:20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,