Definition: Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew [it] unto Esther, and to declare [it] unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really important passage about courage and leadership! Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes how Esther is given a crucial piece of information that helps her save her people from a terrible threat. Basically, she gets a detailed instruction – a "copy" of a decree – to use to alert the king. Let’s unpack it part by part: “Esther 4:8” : This is the title of the verse, referencing a specific story in the Bible. “Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them…” : This is key! Esther receives a copy of a decree. "Shushan" is a city in Persia (modern-day Iran). The decree was meant to be sent to destroy the Jewish community there. This copy is incredibly important because it tells her exactly what she needs to do. “to shew [it] unto Esther…” : This means “to show it to Esther.” She’s giving her this information directly. “to declare [it] unto her…” : This means "to tell her about it." She's explaining the situation to her. “and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him…” : This is where it gets really important. Esther is instructed to go directly to the king . She needs to deliver this message – this decree – to him. Importantly, she’s also told to make a prayer or ask for favor from him. It's about appealing to his judgment and potentially helping her people. “and to make request before him for her people.” : She needs to plead with the king to look out for her people – those who are Jewish in Persia. In a nutshell: Esther receives a detailed warning and instructions from the king, urging her to use this information to alert him about a threat against her community. It's a strategic move designed to protect her people! Why is this important? This verse shows that Esther was brave and intelligent enough to step up when things were dangerous. It highlights the power of communication and how even seemingly small pieces of information can make a huge difference in a crisis. --- Would you like me to: Explain another part of this story? Discuss the significance of Esther’s role in Jewish history?