Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 3:4

Now it came to pass, when they spoke 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.

4. whether Mordecai’s matters would stand ] The Heb. expression signifies either matters or words. They desired to know whether his refusal would pass with impunity. In their eyes it was not only a breach of custom but a piece of unwarrantable presumption.

for he had told them that he was a Jew ] The point of this clause is not clear. It may mean that they desired to see whether his nationality would exempt him from prostration, or, on the other hand that they expected him, as belonging to a captive race, to be treated with special severity.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Whether Mordecais matters would stand – Rather, whether Mordecais words would hold good – whether, that is, his excuse, that he was a Jew, would be allowed as a valid reason for his refusal.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Whether Mordecais matters would stand, i.e. whether he would persist in his refusal, and what the event of it would be.

He had told them that he was a Jew; and therefore did not deny this reverence to Haman out of pride, or any personal grudge against him, much less out of a rebellious mind and contempt of the kings authority and command; but merely out of conscience, because he was a Jew, who was obliged to give this honour to none but to God only.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him,…. Putting him in mind of his duty to obey the king’s command, suggesting to him the danger he exposed himself to, pressing him to give the reasons of his conduct:

and he hearkened not unto them; regarded not what they said, and continued disobedient to the king’s order, and disrespectful to Haman

that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand; they informed Haman that Mordecai refused to give him reverence as the king had ordered; this they did to try whether such a conduct would be suffered and bore with, and whether Mordecai would persevere in it when taken notice of:

for he had told them that he was a Jew; which was all the reason he gave why he would not reverence Haman; and a reason sufficient, because, by a fundamental law of his religion, he was not to worship mere man, but God only: and this confirms what has been before observed; for this would have been no reason for refusing civil respect and honour, but was a strong one for denying religious worship and reverence; and no wonder that the Jews should refuse it, when even the Grecians, though Heathens, refused to give the Persian kings the divine honours they required m; yea, the Athenians put Timagoras to death for prostrating himself in such a manner to Darius n; for the Persian kings were, as Aristotle says o, called Lord and God, and said to hear and see all things.

m Herodot. Polymnia, sive, l. 7. c. 136. Justin e Trogo. l. 6. c. 2. Aelian. Var. Hist. l. 1. 21. n Plutarch. in Artaxerxe, Valer. Maxim. l. 6. c. 3. o De Mundo, c. 6.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(4) Whether Mordecais matters would stand.This should be, his words: whether his statement that he belonged to a nation who might only pay such reverence to God, would hold good.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

4. He hearkened not unto them He would not be persuaded from his purpose to remain true to the principles of his religion. His course was dictated, not by obstinacy, but by firmness of religious principle. Herodotus (vii, 136) relates the case of certain Spartans who visited Shushan in the time of Xerxes, and, when ushered into the royal presence, refused to prostrate themselves and worship the king, on the ground that it was contrary to their customs to worship a man.

They told Haman Until they told him, Haman seems not to have noticed that Mordecai did not bow down to him.

Whether Mordecai’s matters would stand Whether the religious scruples of a Jew would be tolerated in opposition to Persian laws and customs.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Est 3:4 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.

Ver. 4. Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him ] This, if they did of good-will (as at first perhaps they did), it was a friendly office, and may shame many of us who are so backward to Christian admonition (see my common-places), that spiritual alms, that we are bound freely to distribute, Jdg 1:22-23 . But it; as is likely, at length at least they did it to ingratiate with Haman, and out of envy to Mordecai, because he did not comply and comport with them, what did they else but act the devil’s part, and the rather, because they were importunate and impudent as not to take an answer?

And he hearkened not unto them ] They did but surdo fabulam (as they say), beat upon cold iron; this matter was not malleable, this man not to be prevailed with, to do aught against his conscience. The heavens shall sooner fall than I will alter mine opinion, said that martyr. This the persecutors called obstinacy; seal pro hac obstinatione fidei morimur, saith Tertullian, but for this obstinacy of faith we gladly die; and the stronger any are in faith the more resolute in warrantable purposes. The strength of Israel repenteth not, 1Sa 15:29 . Inconstancy comes from weakness.

That they told Haman ] Purposely to pick a thank and curry favour. Go not about as a tale bearer, Lev 19:16 . The word signifieth as a pedlar, that first filleth his pack with tales and slanders, and then venteth them to the hurt of others. Such are fitly joined with flatterers, Pro 20:19 , and with murderers, Eze 22:9 . Such a wretched pedlar was Doeg, and such were these evil instruments in the text, whose tongues were as sharp as the quills of a porcupine, the poison of asps was under their lips. And although it was truth they told Haman, yet because they did it not for any love to the truth, nor for respect to justice, nor for the bettering of either party, but only to undo the one, and to incense the other, they were no better than slanderers.

To see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand] Whether he would stick to his principles, and not start aside for any terror, Phi 1:28 .

For he had told them that he was a Jew ] That is, by interpretation, a confesssor; yea, more, he was a stout professor of the truth; and though he had hitherto concealed himself, yet now (since they will needs have it so) he plainly tells them his country, and his conscience, the true cause of his peremptoriness, which they held and called pride and stubbornness.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

when they spake: Gen 39:10

that they told: Dan 3:8, Dan 3:9, Dan 6:13

he had told: Ezr 1:3, Dan 3:12, Dan 3:16-18, Dan 3:23-30, Dan 6:20-28, Jon 1:9

Reciprocal: Exo 3:6 – I am

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Est 3:4. To see whether Mordecais matters would stand Whether he would persist in his refusal, and what the event of it would be; for he had told them that he was a Jew And therefore did not deny this reverence to Haman out of pride, or any personal grudge against him, much less from a rebellious mind, and contempt of the kings authority and command, but merely out of conscience, being obliged, as a Jew, to give such honour to God only.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

3:4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they {b} told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he [was] a Jew.

(b) Thus we see that there is no one so wicked but they have their flatterers to accuse the godly.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes